Local Senior Wins NY Farm Bureau Scholarship, Pursues Agricultural Business Dreams

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Holly Niefergold, a talented senior from North Collins High School, has been recognized as one of the two recipients of the highly esteemed 2023 New York Farm Bureau Agricultural Youth Scholarship.

This statewide accolade comes with a generous $2,000 grant from the bureau, honoring Niefergold's remarkable achievements and commitment to the agricultural industry.

Hailing from Lawtons, Niefergold belongs to the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau, with her family operating a prominent dairy farm. Her aspiration is to pursue a major in agriculture business management at SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology in Cobleskill, with the aim of establishing her own agritourism venture in the future.

Niefergold's impressive portfolio includes being crowned Erie County Dairy Princess in 2020, while actively engaging in organizations such as 4-H, FFA, and the Erie County Dairy Promotion Program.

Moreover, she dedicates her time to various agricultural initiatives, such as Milk for Health, Erie County Agricultural Society, and the Northeast AgriSolutions Force.

In addition to her agricultural pursuits, Niefergold displays exemplary leadership skills at North Collins High School, where she serves as president of Students Against Destructive Decisions and stage crew leader in the Drama Club.

Furthermore, she actively participates in the school band and selflessly volunteers at the Eden/North Collins Food Pantry.

Niefergold's remarkable accomplishments and dedication earned her the scholarship after undergoing a rigorous selection process.

The panel of judges from the New York Farm Bureau evaluated essays and applications submitted by candidates across 11 districts statewide. Joining Niefergold as a statewide winner is Jacob Ziehm from Schaghticoke, representing eastern New York.

With her passion for agriculture and determination to succeed, Holly Niefergold is poised to make a lasting impact on the agricultural community while pursuing her dreams in agricultural business management.