TFC Foundation Announces 2026-27 Scholarship Recipients
Jan 20, 2026
The Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation has announced its 2026-2027 Scholarship Recipients. This is the first group of students to receive scholarships as the organization revamped this popular program for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Scholarships are now given in three categories:
All three categories have minimum GPA requirements.
“There are fewer scholarships now, but they have increased in value to make a great impact on student tuition costs,” says Scott Bohanon, TFC training and education manager. “This year, our inaugural scholarship recipients under our new program represent some of the very best in Tennessee agriculture and our rural communities. They are an exceptional group of young leaders whose achievements extend far beyond the classroom.”
Recipients come from 14 counties across Tennessee: five from Zone 1, ten from Zone 2, and six from Zone 3. Their diverse backgrounds reflect the breadth of our state’s rural, agricultural, and community-based roots. At least 12 recipients come from multigenerational farming families with legacies spanning three to nine generations. One applicant’s farm dates back to 1806. These operations are diverse across many livestock and agronomy operations, with several recipients operating their own agricultural businesses, including custom drone application services, livestock ventures, agritourism enterprises, horse lessons, and other educational programs.
Academically, this group demonstrates outstanding excellence, with an average GPA of 3.77. Among this year’s recipients are five incoming college freshmen, one sophomore, six juniors, and nine seniors, attending five colleges across two states. Several are even first-generation college students.
These students plan to pursue degrees in a wide range of fields, including Ag Business Communications, Plant & Soil Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Pre-Vet, and Agricultural Education. They are preparing for careers as ag educators, agricultural salespeople, advocates, and one veterinarian, while others aspire to serve their communities by returning to the farm, pursuing advanced degrees, and strengthening ag policy, education, and innovation.
Beyond academics, every recipient has demonstrated strong leadership and character through involvement in the FFA or another affiliated agricultural organization. Fifteen were chapter FFA officers, eight were chapter FFA presidents, six were regional FFA officers, and two were state FFA officers. Twelve recipients are members of a national honors society or the Beta Club, many of whom are enrolled in honors programs and/or majoring or minoring in complementary disciplines. At least 10 participated in varsity athletics, with six team captains, across 13 different sports. And every recipient reported involvement in community service.
Grounded in strong values and a commitment to service, these students exemplify the character and responsibility that are central to our Co-op mission.
The Growing Leaders Scholarship recipients are:
Nate Mason of Parrottsville, TN,
Sapana Das of Chuckey, TN,
Ann Lowery of Dyersburg, TN,
Skylar Baird of Lebanon, TN,
Ella Hasty of Smyrna, TN,
Allison Thomas of Sparta, TN,
and Ty Jones of Scottsville, KY.
The Local Red Cap Scholarship recipients are:
Mac Jepson of Orlinda, TN,
Daniel Austin of Sparta, TN,
Wyatt Pearson of Cross Plains, TN,
Houston Stewart of Atoka, TN,
Miller Moore of Dresden, TN,
Alexis Powell of Murfreesboro, TN,
and Matthew Graham of Taft, TN.
The Driven to Serve Scholarship recipients are:
Luke Magness of Smithville, TN,
Halleigh Wunder of Murfreesboro, TN,
Dillon Parrish of Sparta, TN,
Abbie Bowker of Rockvale, TN,
Will Southall of Linden, TN,
George Wilson of Niota, TN,
and Jami Jordan of McEwen, TN.
Each student will receive a $4,000 scholarship paid to their institution. Our scholarships also qualify for an additional $1,000 scholarship upon completion of the TFCF Scholars’ Summit to be held in May 2026. The exciting new opportunity allows our scholarship recipients to learn more about our cooperative system, explore different career opportunities, and meet with some of our key leaders. Please join us in congratulating the 21 recipients of the 2026-2027 Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation Scholarship Program.
The next application period for the 2027-2028 scholarships will be open this fall.
Visit the TFC Foundation website at https://www.ourcoopfoundation.org/ to learn more.
Scholarships are now given in three categories:
- The Growing Leaders Scholarship is for students who are actively involved in their local communities and demonstrate leadership in FFA, 4-H, and/or other agricultural organizations. To qualify, applicants must be pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field and demonstrate a commitment to community service.
- The Local Red Cap Scholarship is for students who are actively involved in production agriculture and are pursuing at least a two-year degree or are enrolled in a trade school program. Students must either be a Co-op member themselves or have an immediate family member with local membership. Ideal candidates are those who aspire to enter production agriculture and support our thriving farming communities.
- The Driven to Serve Scholarship is for students who are currently employed, and have been for a minimum of three months, at least part-time, with a local member Co-op or Tennessee Farmers Cooperative. Students who are working while in school or have previous internship experience are highly encouraged to apply.
All three categories have minimum GPA requirements.
“There are fewer scholarships now, but they have increased in value to make a great impact on student tuition costs,” says Scott Bohanon, TFC training and education manager. “This year, our inaugural scholarship recipients under our new program represent some of the very best in Tennessee agriculture and our rural communities. They are an exceptional group of young leaders whose achievements extend far beyond the classroom.”
Recipients come from 14 counties across Tennessee: five from Zone 1, ten from Zone 2, and six from Zone 3. Their diverse backgrounds reflect the breadth of our state’s rural, agricultural, and community-based roots. At least 12 recipients come from multigenerational farming families with legacies spanning three to nine generations. One applicant’s farm dates back to 1806. These operations are diverse across many livestock and agronomy operations, with several recipients operating their own agricultural businesses, including custom drone application services, livestock ventures, agritourism enterprises, horse lessons, and other educational programs.
Academically, this group demonstrates outstanding excellence, with an average GPA of 3.77. Among this year’s recipients are five incoming college freshmen, one sophomore, six juniors, and nine seniors, attending five colleges across two states. Several are even first-generation college students.
These students plan to pursue degrees in a wide range of fields, including Ag Business Communications, Plant & Soil Science, Animal Science, Agricultural Engineering, Pre-Vet, and Agricultural Education. They are preparing for careers as ag educators, agricultural salespeople, advocates, and one veterinarian, while others aspire to serve their communities by returning to the farm, pursuing advanced degrees, and strengthening ag policy, education, and innovation.
Beyond academics, every recipient has demonstrated strong leadership and character through involvement in the FFA or another affiliated agricultural organization. Fifteen were chapter FFA officers, eight were chapter FFA presidents, six were regional FFA officers, and two were state FFA officers. Twelve recipients are members of a national honors society or the Beta Club, many of whom are enrolled in honors programs and/or majoring or minoring in complementary disciplines. At least 10 participated in varsity athletics, with six team captains, across 13 different sports. And every recipient reported involvement in community service.
Grounded in strong values and a commitment to service, these students exemplify the character and responsibility that are central to our Co-op mission.
The Growing Leaders Scholarship recipients are:
Nate Mason of Parrottsville, TN,
Sapana Das of Chuckey, TN,
Ann Lowery of Dyersburg, TN,
Skylar Baird of Lebanon, TN,
Ella Hasty of Smyrna, TN,
Allison Thomas of Sparta, TN,
and Ty Jones of Scottsville, KY.
The Local Red Cap Scholarship recipients are:
Mac Jepson of Orlinda, TN,
Daniel Austin of Sparta, TN,
Wyatt Pearson of Cross Plains, TN,
Houston Stewart of Atoka, TN,
Miller Moore of Dresden, TN,
Alexis Powell of Murfreesboro, TN,
and Matthew Graham of Taft, TN.
The Driven to Serve Scholarship recipients are:
Luke Magness of Smithville, TN,
Halleigh Wunder of Murfreesboro, TN,
Dillon Parrish of Sparta, TN,
Abbie Bowker of Rockvale, TN,
Will Southall of Linden, TN,
George Wilson of Niota, TN,
and Jami Jordan of McEwen, TN.
Each student will receive a $4,000 scholarship paid to their institution. Our scholarships also qualify for an additional $1,000 scholarship upon completion of the TFCF Scholars’ Summit to be held in May 2026. The exciting new opportunity allows our scholarship recipients to learn more about our cooperative system, explore different career opportunities, and meet with some of our key leaders. Please join us in congratulating the 21 recipients of the 2026-2027 Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation Scholarship Program.
The next application period for the 2027-2028 scholarships will be open this fall.
Visit the TFC Foundation website at https://www.ourcoopfoundation.org/ to learn more.