Agriculture industry leaders, local growers, government representatives, educators and supporters gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the achievements of 28 local students who were chosen to receive a scholarship by the Turlock Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee at their annual luncheon.

For the past 26 years, the Chamber’s Ag Committee has provided monetary support to over 475 students totaling more than $547,000 in student scholarships, according to committee member Michelle Penney.

“The Turlock Chamber Ag Scholarship Committee’s mission is to support events and activities aimed at developing future agricultural leaders, educating the public and informing our policy makers. It is the committee’s belief that everyone benefits from this scholarship program. The students receive assistance towards obtaining their chosen educational goal, and the industry gains new talent needed to remain competitive in today’s business world,” said Penney.

Along with the annual scholarships for local students, the Chamber Ag Committee also provides monetary support for educating the public about the Valley’s agricultural heritage. Those education programs include the 4-H Farmyard Experience at the Stanislaus County Fair, Ag in the Classroom, support of the agriculture program at Stanislaus State, and sponsorships of various FFA chapter pancake breakfasts and tri tip dinners.

“And now for the second year, our committee has sponsored an on-farm internship with the TUSD Farm. With this sponsorship, seniors from Turlock and Pitman have an opportunity for hands-on experience on the farm,” Penney said.

The scholarship committee serves nine local high schools — Pitman, Turlock, Turlock Christian, Delhi, Denair, Hilmar, Hughson, Livingston and Waterford.

This year’s Turlock Chamber Ag Scholarship awardees are:

·         McKinley Binkley (Denair)

·         Degan Butler (Denair)

·         Ethan Ibarra (Denair)

·         Piper Del Toro (Hilmar)

·         Emma Nyman (Hilmar)

·         Danielle Peebles (Hilmar)

·         Lane Perry (Hilmar)

·         Stella Pires (Hilmar)

·         Gianna Silveira (Hilmar)

·         Liliann Vaz (Hilmar)

·         Elizabeth Becchetti (Hughson)

·         Kate Cooper (Hughson)

·         Grace Curry (Hughson)

·         Bryce McDaniel (Hughson)

·         Madison McDonald (Hughson)

·         Maritza Jimenez (Pitman)

·         Hannah Loforti (Pitman)

·         Kiara Velazquez (Pitman)

·         Victoria White (Pitman)

·         Jake Dein (Turlock Christian)

·         Seyeon Ha (Turlock Christian)

·         Liliana Cabrales (Turlock)

·         Carly Crum (Turlock)

·         Jaden Loflin (Turlock)

·         Luke Oliveira (Turlock)

·         Diego Peguero (Turlock)

·         Christopher Viveros (Turlock)

·         Denton Walters (Turlock)