Meet this year’s North Carolina Farm Bureau scholarship recipients and Young Farmers & Ranchers Award winners. Find more member achievements at here.
Excellence in Ag Award Winner
Jeremy and Victoria Lee of Catawba County are the winners of the 2024 NCFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Excellence in Agriculture Award. They are both graduates of NC State University, where Jeremy earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural science and Victoria earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in agricultural and extension education. Jeremy also has a master of business administration degree from Appalachian State University.
The Lees married in 2015, attend Center Church and live by a philosophy of “faith, family, farming.” Jeremy and Victoria share a passion for agriculture and are proud to be farming for the next generation, as they raise their twin sons, Jackson and Owen.
They raise beef cattle, and Jeremy is employed with Ag South Farm Credit as Vice President Relationship Manager of Farm Credit Express. Victoria teaches science at Bandys High School in Catawba.
Achievement Award Winner
Ethan and Frankie Lineberger of Gaston County are the winners of the 2024 NCFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Achievement Award. Ethan is a self-employed fourth-generation farmer who knew in childhood he wanted to return to the farm. The Linebergers grow 50 acres of small fruits, vegetables and pumpkins, marketing the produce directly to consumers through roadside markets, farmers markets and a CSA program.
The Linebergers are NC State graduates, where Ethan earned a bachelor’s degree in soil science agronomy and a master’s degree in soil science, and Frankie earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resources. Frankie works for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service as a soil conservationist. Using their NC State education, the Linebergers implement economically viable and environmentally sustainable practices on their farm. The Linebergers serve on the YF&R State Committee. Additionally, Ethan serves on the Fruit and Vegetable Advisory committee and as a Gaston County Farm Bureau board member. The Linebergers have two children, Owen and Charlie.
On the Local Level
2023 R. Flake Shaw Scholarship Winners
Flake Shaw Scholarship Winners
The R. Flake Shaw scholarship program provides an important service to deserving youth in the state who have a desire to further their education and pursue a career path in agriculture.
Twelve students across the state received this year’s Shaw scholarship, North Carolina Farm Bureau’s top academic award. Since it began in 1967, the program has given almost $4 million in scholarship money to agriculture students.
- Matthew Luke Peluso, Craven County
- Brandon Thomas Clapp, Guilford County
- Haley Grace Casper, Johnston County
- Cameron Manning Lilley, Martin County
- Travis Rayne Cox, Onslow County
- Logan Powers Hickman, Robeson County
- Talton Charles Correll, Rowan County
- Michelle Carolyn Hartman, Stokes County
- Andrew Stephen Fulk, Surry County
- Dylan Cole Medlin, Wake County
- Lillian Ashley Farley, Watauga County
- Josie Elizabeth Harrell, Wilson County
