Farm Credit Southeast Missouri 2026 AgSunrise High School Scholarship Recipients

SIKESTON, MO., – Farm Credit Southeast Missouri awarded five scholarships to local high school seniors this spring. 

We are thrilled to announce our 2026 AgSunrise high school scholarship recipients: 

Colby Ault, Sikeston High School. Colby is the son of Nathan and Becky Ault of Sikeston and plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Science. Being a fifth-generation farmer has strongly influenced him to pursue a career in agriculture. While in high school, Colby started his own irrigation business, Greener Grass Irrigation. Following college, he plans to return to the area to pursue a career in farming, with the ultimate goal of running his family's farming operation. 

Lena Figueroa, Kelly High School. Lena is the daughter of Beth Uelsmann Figueroa of Benton and plans to attend Murray State University to pursue a degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Having grown up around her family's equine facility, she has spent her time assisting with operations and competing in horse shows. Through the Paso Fino Horse Association she has achieved 16 National Titles, in addition to many other awards. Her future career aspiration is to be an Equine Performance Veterinarian. 

Brayden Knapp, Gideon High School. Brayden is the son of Jacob and Jessica Knapp of Gideon and plans to attend Three Rivers Community College to pursue a degree in Agribusiness. His family has proudly operated Knapp Farms since 1942, and, alongside his brother, Brayden will become the fifth generation of Knapp Farmers. He aspires to build a career in agriculture business and one day contribute to his family's farming operation. 

Cheyenne Parker, Sikeston High School. Cheyenne is the daughter of Chad and Laura Parker of Sikeston and plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in Business Administration. She grew up in a farming family and has seen firsthand the unpredictability of agriculture markets. After college, she plans to return to Sikeston and apply the skills she gains to help her family farming operation grow sustainably, improve productivity, and adapt to changes efficiently

Landon Stewart, Bell City High School. Landon is the son of Brandon and Melissa Stewart of Bloomfield and plans to attend Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in Agronomy Integrated Crop Management. Landon has worked on his family's farm for many years, and this year participated in a Supervised Occupational Experience through his high school ag department. His experiences have motivated him to pursue a career in agriculture, and he hopes to become a crop scout specializing in rice to help producers improve efficiency and sustainability. 

Join us in celebrating this outstanding group of students! We wish them all the best as they pursue their higher education in agriculture this fall and in all their future endeavors.

Since 2020, Farm Credit Southeast Missouri's AgSunrise Scholarship Program has awarded $69,000 in scholarships to both local high school seniors and enrolled college students pursuing a career in agriculture.

To learn more about our scholarship program, visit our website here: Scholarship Program | Farm Credit Southeast Missouri

Headquartered in Sikeston, Missouri, Farm Credit Southeast Missouri is an agricultural lending cooperative with over $1 billion in owned and managed assets serving Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott, Stoddard and Wayne Counties in Southeast Missouri.