Published 6:13 am Saturday, October 11, 2025
By Ben Bullard
Limestone County natives were among more than 80 students statewide to be presented with scholarships this month by the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF).
Preston Haney, a Limestone County native and current Auburn University junior, earned a $2,000 scholarship from the AFAF and the Limestone County Farmers Federation. Haney was recognized alongside other recipients on Sept. 29, during the Alabama Farmers Federation scholarship reception, held at Lazenby Farms in Auburn. Haney is studying agricultural business and economics at Auburn.
During this year’s scholarship banquet, Limestone County’s Jessa Usery also received the inaugural Jerry and Dianne Newby Scholarship. Usery is a sophomore studying agricultural communications. The scholarship was established in honor of Limestone County farmer and former Federation President Jerry Newby and his wife, Dianne.
Overall, students from 61 Alabama counties College received scholarships from AFAF at the reception event, which annually recognizes scholarship recipients from Auburn University. The partnership between AFAF and statewide county Farmers Federations awarded more than $150,000 to undergraduates pursuing degrees in agriculture, forestry and related fields.
“This organization puts effort into serving the future of agriculture,” said Chris Carroll, president of the Dale County Farmers Federation, chair of the AFAF Scholarship Committee, and Federation Southeast Area vice president. “I want to say ‘thank you’ to the recipients for pursuing a degree in agriculture. Agriculture is facing some tough times, but through tough times, innovation and efficiency are born. Food security is national security. A nation that cannot feed itself cannot defend itself. With that, I truly thank each student for what they do.”
Scholarship applications for 2026-2027 open November 1 and can be accessed online at AlfaFarmers.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2026.
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