Below is an article from the February edition of Central Florida AgNews
Two Ag Students Named Recipients of Warner University Scholarship
by K. MICHELE TRICE
Florida Farm Bureau has long been a staunch supporter of young and budding scholars, and Warner University students Ashlyn Hood of LaBelle and Jacey Langford of Alva are the latest to benefit from that support. Hood and Langford recently were named the recipients of the 2024 Warner University Agricultural Manager Scholarship, funded through the Florida Farm Bureau.
“Since the start of our program, we have worked hard to instill great work ethic into our students,” says Abby Crawford, coordinator of Advancement and Ag Planning at Warner University.
“The ag department at Warner is well-supported by many partners in the community who choose to invest in our students,” she says. “Organizations and foundations like Florida Farm Bureau see the work our students do in the classroom as well as on the job site and award our program with scholarship funds so that these students may continue their endeavors.”
“We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity again to such deserving students and couldn’t be more thankful to the board of directors at Florida Farm Bureau for making this possible.”
Langford is a junior agricultural studies major who hopes to go into agricultural sales after college.
“When I found out I got the scholarship, I bawled my eyes out,” Langford says. “I pay my own tuition out of pocket, and I work a lot. It’s going to cover the rest of the money I owe and I will get a reimbursement check because of it. Now I won’t be in debt after college. I have been very blessed.”
Langford grew up on a family farm with cattle and horses, and she was active in 4-H in school.
“I am passionate about cattle,” Langford says. “They feed a lot of people while also creating fertilizer for the crops. I’m not one to go out and ride a horse, but I’ll go check on the cows.”
Hood, also a junior, is studying agricultural management and hopes for a career in an agricultural extension office.
“I like to advocate for the agricultural industry,” she says.
During her childhood, Hood was surrounded by agriculture thanks to her family’s business in cattle and citrus. She raised and showed livestock as a child and says her passion for agriculture is prominent in everyday life.
Crawford says the internship program has been instrumental in leading students toward their career paths helping them break into their fields of interest.
“We want our graduates to be able to go right out into the field and work, and not be afraid to get their hands dirty,” Crawford says. “The young ladies have hit the ground running and are working constantly around the department.”
Crawford says Hood and Langford assist in different recruitment endeavors and work with professors as needs arise. In addition, they oversee the general maintenance of the Swindle Ag Complex, the Thompson Legacy Land Lab and the Hunt Bros. Greenhouse.
As part of the scholarship, Hood and Langford work 15 to 20 hours per week at the school in the agricultural program.
“I do anything from hauling hay for the cows or feeding the chickens and gathering eggs or watering plants,” Hood says. “We work to help maintain the ag program as a whole, making sure everything is going smoothly.”
Langford adds, “Right now, we are waiting for some weeds to die down so we can build a fence.”
Between pressure washing, feeding cows, and working in the greenhouse, “We make sure things are well-maintained, cleaned, and organized so they are functioning.”
Hood and Langford have even represented Warner’s ag program at various events.
“We get to show people and explain to them how unique and interesting and fun and cool Warner is,” Hood says.
“It is all by the grace of God that I’ve come as far as I have,” Langford says. “It’s a big deal. Warner’s big on that. It is a developing ag program, and God has placed me there so I can be part of building it.”