Scholarships

Closed: ​Brittany Robinson Memorial Scholarship

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is proud to announce a new scholarship fund, the Brittany Robinson Memorial Scholarship, available in 2026.

The Brittany Robinson Memorial Scholarship is established to honor Brittany's passion and commitment to agriculture, animal husbandry, and sustainability. As a first generation farmer with a degree in Environmental Sciences, Brittany's approach to farming was intentionally sustainable, focusing on organic practices and raising pigs with love and care.

​Beyond her farming, Brittany brought an incredible energy and passion to her work – she innovated easy online ordering from Four Winds Farm, made recipe cards to encourage market shoppers to try new vegetables, and was eager to keep learning from other farmers.
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This scholarship is designed to support the next generation of agricultural leaders in the High Country region of North Carolina. The award will be presented annually to a High Country student who intends to pursue further education in agriculture, sustainable development or animal sciences. ​

Donate to this Scholarship

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​Scholarship Overview

• Award Amount: $2,500 one time award, awardees are encouraged to apply for future awards as well.
• Number of Awards: One annual recipient
• Award Period: Award will be made by May of 2026

​Application Process/Timeline

• Application Deadline: March 21, 2026 - CLOSED

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Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited institution
• Applicant must reside in Ashe, Avery, Alleghany, Watauga, Wilkes or Caldwell counties
• Scholarship is available to any woman pursuing studies related to agriculture, animal science, botany, soil science, sustainable development, food science or other agriculture-related fields (to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
• Scholarship funds can be used for tuition and associated costs at accredited universities (undergraduate and graduate programs), community colleges and technical schools

How to Apply:
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APPLICATION STATUS: CLOSED

Application Details

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​Betsy Lawson Willis Education Scholarship

The Betsy Lawson Willis Education Scholarship was launched in 2023 to continue the legacy of BRWIA's founding mothers, who believed in the abilities of women to build a stronger, more resilient local food system and achieve meaningful careers in agriculture. Thanks to a generous donation from a local nonprofit, Numina, BRWIA was able to establish an endowment fund that will establish this scholarship as a lasting resource in our community for years to come. Supporting women in agriculture and fostering an environment where women can access resources to make them stronger, more capable business owners is a central pillar to BRWIA's work. ​
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Each year, this scholarship will be awarded to eligible women farmers, to help them pursue education that supports their careers.

​Eligibility Requirements:

• This scholarship will fund up to $500 in costs for attending educational opportunities. Applications from historically underserved farmers and ranchers are prioritized.
• Women currently working in the field of agriculture and living/working in the following counties of service are eligible: Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Alleghany, Caldwell, Mitchell,Yancey, Wilkes and Johnson (TN)
• Funds may ONLY be used to cover educational opportunities and their associated costs, including the following:
  • Registration costs for conferences, workshops, classes, or trainings
  • Travel to and from conferences, workshops, classes, or trainings
• Funds MAY NOT be used to cover any of the following:
  • Unpaid labor, internships, or apprenticeships
  • Unofficial or self-guided educational opportunities
  • Lodging and food expenses
  • General undergraduate or graduate tuition support

How to Apply:

​Application Guidelines
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Application Scoring Rubric

​View a sample application
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Apply here

Past Educational Scholarship Awardees

2024
With funding from the Betsy Lawson Willis Female Farmer Education Scholarship, BRWIA was able to supplement registration costs for female farmers to pursue education opportunities to further their careers:

• Cass Bradley attended Flower Farming 101 Workshop at Flourish Flower Farm
• Carley Conrad attended the Mothering the Mother class
• Emily Elliott attended the 2024 Junior Master Gardener Master Leader Summit

2023
With funding from the Betsy Lawson Willis Female Farmer Education Scholarship, BRWIA was able to supplement registration costs for five female farmers to pursue education opportunities to further their careers:

• Nora Rodli (owner of Laughing Spring Farm) and Monica Gowan (Against the Grain Farm employee) attended the Valle Crucis Wild Herb Weekend
• Brooke Kornegay (Springhouse Farm manager) attended Twisted Tree Farm's Abundant Propagation (Level 2) course
• Cory Wellborn (owner of Covered Creek Flower Farm) attended Flower Farming School Online: Bulbs, Perennials, Woodies, and More!
• Gail Rutledge (Against the Grain Farm employee) attended the 2023 Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's Sustainable Agriculture Conference

​2016
With funding from Women's Fund of the Blue Ridge and Heifer USA, BRWIA was able to supplement some registration costs for seven female farmers to go to various conferences and trainings that helped them refine and develop their skill sets.

• Caroline Hampton (Octopus Gardens), Lisa Redman (Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm), and Melinda Brown (The Never Ending Farm) went to NC Choices Women Working in the Meat Business Conference
• Susan Owen (The Lily Patch Farm) went to the International PawPaw Conference in Kentucky
• Kara Dodson (Full Moon Farm) will be able to attend the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) Conference in November happening in Durham, NC
• Susan Wright (Shady Grove Gardens) will be able to attend the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers National Conference in November happening in Michigan
• Holly Whitesides (Against the Grain Farm) will be able to take a 5-month Biodynamic Webinar Series titled "Digging Deeper, Cosmic and Earthly Evolution to Farmers"

In 2011 and 2012, we were able to partner with agricultural organizations and offer farmer scholarships to regional sustainable agriculture conferences.

2012

• Meredith Duke of Ripshin Goat Dairy attended the 2012 Organic Growers School Conference in Asheville with support from the Organic Growers School and AgraQuest

2011

• Ann Rose and Holly Whitesides received free registration and lodging for Southern SAWG's 2011 Practical Tools and Solutions for Sustaining Family Farms Conference in Chattanooga, TN.
• Diane Baker and Dorene Jankowski received scholarships to attend the 2011 Organic Growers School Conference in Asheville, NC.

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2011- 2018
​Read more here about the dozens of Mary Boyer Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant recipients