Just in time for the Derby, Riley Hudnall received three high-honors agriculture scholarships this week. This trifecta win shows great testament to Riley’s commitment to her studies and commitment to agriculture. She will be a junior this fall at Murray State University.
“With all that I gain from pursuing further education and experiences, my goal is to use it all to help advocate for agriculture within my community,” Riley said. “My background and passion for agriculture have influenced my decision to go into an agricultural career that will allow me any chance to get into the local community and help educate on the impacts of agriculture on those who may not have firsthand knowledge.”
Riley was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for the fall 2023 semester through the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) scholarship program.
Riley is also the recipient of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association Don Halcomb Memorial Scholarship for Community Leadership Through Agriculture and the Kentucky Corn Growers Jim Barton Memorial Scholarship.
“Riley is a shining star, and we are excited to see the future impact she will make on Kentucky agriculture,” said Laura Knoth, Executive Director of the Kentucky Corn Growers Association and Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association. “We wish Riley all the best and are honored to assist in her educational endeavors.”
Riley grew up in Bowling Green. Her career goal is to work with and educate other agriculturalists like herself. Scholarship committees have appreciated Riley’s financial independence, her willingness to take risks with her own cropping enterprise, and her vision of creating Ag Field Trips to help educate within her local school system.
“As I started my college journey I took on many titles: agribusiness major, first-generation college student, and the title of a non-traditional student at Murray State University,” Riley said. “Going into this new adventure with little guidance and being financially independent was a challenge at first but when I started receiving support from agricultural organizations like KyCorn all my worries washed away. Knowing that the agriculture industry believed in me has strengthened my reason for choosing a career in ag.”
“I would like to say a big thank you to KyCorn, KY Small Grains, NCGA and so many other businesses and organizations for providing me with support through my first year at college and now as I enter into my next year.”