Seven Indiana Students Among Regional Ag Scholarship Winners in 2026

Helena Agri-Enterprises is awarding seven Indiana high school graduates with Homegrown® Scholarships worth $1,000 to pursue higher educations in agriculture. Helena’s Homegrown Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from 15 states who are majoring in an agriculture-related program. For several years, the Homegrown Scholarship has been an important part of Helena’s commitment to developing the future of ag professionals.

Winners from Indiana include the following:

• Lainie McAlister of Patriot, a graduate of Switzerland County High School entering Purdue University to study Agribusiness
• Fletcher Wenger of Bluffton, a graduate of Bluffton High School entering Purdue University to study Agribusiness
• Carli Fausz of Markle, a graduate of Norwell High School entering Trine University to study Business Administration
• Luella Bluhm of Monroe, a graduate of Adams Central High School entering Huntington University to study Agriculture Education
• Trey Slusher of Montpelier, a graduate of Southern Wells Junior-Senior High School entering Ivy Tech Community College to study Agribusiness
• Conner LeCount of New Paris, a graduate of Fairfield Junior-Senior High School entering Purdue University to study Agricultural Systems Management
• Kassandra Small of Monroe City, a graduate of South Knox High School entering Murray State University to study Agribusiness

The Homegrown Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from certain counties in Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming and the entire states of Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. Requirements include an essay with a maximum of 300 words on the applicant’s positive impact in their community and an essay with a maximum of 500 words on the applicant’s passion for agriculture and their plan to contribute to the industry in the future. Winners are chosen by Helena location management across the region.

Applications for the Homegrown Scholarship will be available again in early 2027 through ag teachers and local FFA chapters in participating states and counties. In addition to scholarships, Helena offers internships to college students across the Midwest every summer. Internship opportunities will be advertised this fall. For more information about Helena, visit helenaagri.com and tune in to the FieldLink® Podcast on YouTube or wherever you listen.