first published in the March 2023 Equiery

HHYF Creates New Scholarship
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation has created a new education scholarship to honor the late Lynn Fortna. The Lynn Fortna Financial Assistance Program is open to “any young-at-heart female in harness racing.” The recipient(s) will receive funding to cover a conference, class, certificate program, or other educational experience related to horses. Educational experiences must receive prior approval from the selection committee.

To apply for this program, or other HHYF programs, see hhtf.org.scholarships/

USA Equestrian Trust Grants Open!
The USA Equestrian Trust is now accepting application for its 2023 grants program. These grants are open to IRS-registered equine non-profit organizations. Since the inception of the program, the Trust has awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants.

Project proposals can be submitted through trusthorses.org. Any organization applying must submit copies of its IRS non-profit determination letter and most recent Form 990.

The application deadline is March 28.

Tuckahoe Equestrian Scholarships
For the second year, Tuckahoe Equestrian Center is offering scholarships to students pursing equine studies, veterinarian/vet tech, or agricultural studies. New this year is that high school seniors who are about to attend college are also eligible. Applicants must be enrolled, or about to attend, a U.S. accredited college, university or graduate program. Previous TEC scholarship winners are eligible to apply again.

Applicants must be members of TEC but may join at the time of application. Applications are due by June 1 with the results announced by July 1, 2023. Three scholarship winners will be awarded $1500 each. Winners will receive their awards at the July monthly meeting to be held July 19, 2023.

For more information, please visit TuckahoeEquestrianCenter.com or call Stacy Frank at 516-901-4979.

Agriculture Education Scholarships
The Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation (MAEF) is currently accepting applications for its 2023 Academic and Seibel Scholarships. Applications are due by April 1, 2023.

The recipients of the MAEF Academic Scholarship will receive $1,500 to support their academic achievements and pursuit of a career in agriculture or Extension education. These scholarships are open to rising junior or senior undergraduates or graduate students enrolled in majors that lead to careers in agricultural education or extension education.

The Seibel Scholarship is open to students who are pursuing a two-year or four-year degree in majors leading to careers in agriculture or agriculture education. Dr. Ronald J. Seibel established this scholarship fund during his lifetime to support students seeking agricultural degrees or certificates.

For more information and to apply, visit https://maefonline.com/home/student-center/scholarships/

Conservation Buffer Initiative
The Maryland Department of Agriculture opened its 2023 signup period for its Conservation Buffer Initiative on January 30. The signup period runs through March 10. New this year, qualifying farmers who plant forest buffers will receive a one-time $1,000 per acre signing bonus on top of the incentive payment for this practice.

“The conservation practices supported by this program are helping Maryland to achieve its clean water goals for the Chesapeake Bay,” said Acting MDA Secretary Kevin Atticks. “This year, we are pleased to offer an attractive signing bonus to landowners who plant forest buffers on agricultural land to reduce carbon emissions and meet water quality standards. This program is a win-win for the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s climate action goals.”

The program is in its third year and offers attractive incentive payments, easy signup and a variety of management options for farms who want to plant streamside buffers on their farms. All of which lead to improving water quality for the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan includes the goal of planting 63,980 acres of buffers by 2025. As of June 30, 2022, MDA reported that Maryland has achieved more than 80% of this goal!

The following buffers are eligible for the program: forest buffers planted next to waterways, grass buffers planted next to waterways or field ditches, and watercourse access control areas next to pastures.

More information and signup can be found at: https://mda.maryland.gov/resource_conservation/Pages/conservation-buffer-initiative.aspx