Senior honored by farm bureau

VERONA, N.Y. » Kristi Ann Frank, a senior at Vernon-Verona Sherrill High School, was chosen by New York Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Committee as the 2018 Agricultural Youth Scholarship Winner from Oneida County.

She was also selected as the District 6 winner, allowing her to compete at the state-level, where she finished second. In total, she has received $1,400 that she can use toward her higher education.

Frank is an active and wellrounded student managing a host of activities in school and on her family’s farm. Her lifelong love of agriculture stems from her close relationship with her grandfather. His passion, commitment, wisdom and strong work ethic all while overcoming obstacles, including his blindness, inspired her to be involved with agriculture. It also shaped her into the person she is today.

After graduation, Frank plans to attend SUNY Cobleskill to pursue a degree in agricultural business with a minor in agricultural education.

The scholarship applicants were asked to discuss an issue facing agriculture in their county. Frank choose the lack of knowledge about what agriculture is and the glaring lack of opportunities for youths to gain an agricultural education. She made the argument that as you look around Oneida County you can see how diverse and important family farms are, however there is not adequate access to curriculum that help produce “future farmers, inventors or political leaders who would go on to improve our industry.” She points out that of the 15 school districts in Oneida County, only five offer an agricultural course or have an FFA chapter.

Frank credits her ability to be part of the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill FFA for providing her with life changing opportunities -- opportunities that need to be more readily available.

“Kristi Ann has built an impres--

sive resume at a young age and is very deserving of this honor. She is knowledgeable, engaged and is very forward thinking, which are wonderful qualities of our future leaders,” said Oneida County’s Promotion and Education Chair Karen K. Lohr. “I have no doubt that she will go on to do great things on behalf of agriculture.”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Oneida County Farm Bureau presents a scholarship check to KristiAnn Frank. Frank is the recipient of the 2018 New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship from Oneida County and was named the District 6winner and finished 2nd place in the state...