Brandy Johnson, community outreach coordinator at Rabbit Valley Farmers Market; Shelby Madden, scholarship recipient; Nick Barton, director of the Horticulture program at GNTC, Dana Jenkins, scholarship recipient; and Samantha Leslie, executive director of Rabbit Valley Farmers Market
Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College Horticulture students have received the 2024 Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Scholarship.
The scholarship has been awarded to Dana Jenkins of Rossville and Shelby Madden of Chickamauga. Both are Horticulture students at GNTC’s Floyd County Campus in Rome. Jenkins is earning a diploma in Horticulture while Madden is earning an associate degree in Horticulture.
“We are excited to continue our support of GNTC’s Horticulture program and look forward to continuing our partnership,” said scholarship donor Samantha Leslie, executive director of the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market in downtown Ringgold. “We believe supporting our community, its youth and educational opportunities is the forefront of Rabbit Valley's mission, and we look forward to expanding our support and partnerships in the future.”
The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Scholarship was established to provide financial support to incoming high school students and first-year GNTC students pursuing a degree, diploma or certificate. Scholarship applicants must be planning a career related to farming, gardening, landscape design, environmental issues, floral design or horticulture.
“We are so thankful for the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market and their growing support of our students,” said Lauretta Hannon, executive director of Institutional Advancement at GNTC. “They have been such a fantastic community partner, and we look forward to working together in the years to come.”
The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market is open on Saturdays during the spring and summer season in the pavilion across from the historic Ringgold Depot.Local vendors sell produce, meats, cheeses, soaps, candles, bread, homemade goods and more, Leslie said.
Visit www.rabbitvalleyfarmersmarket.com for more information about the market and its events.