Farmers Union Awards Scholarships to Five Outstanding Applicants

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jennifer Luitjens Bahr (303.752.5800; jennifer.bahr@rmfu.org) 

Farmers Union Awards Scholarships to Five Outstanding Applicants

(Denver, CO) — The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) Foundation announces the recipients of five $1,000 scholarships. The awards are made to students with records of outstanding scholastic achievements and community service. The scholarships are funded by RMFU, FUSA Insurance Agency, and memorials honoring long-time leaders in Farmers Union. 

“These recipients are stepping up as future leaders of our communities. The RMFU Foundation is proud to present scholarships to four exceptional young leaders to help them achieve their educational and career goals,” said RMFU Foundation Director Jennifer Luitjens Bahr. The recipients are listed below.

Mia Derback

Mia Derback, Castle Rock, CO (James G. Patton Memorial Scholarship)

Mia is the daughter of FUSA Agent Ryan Derback and Jeannene Derback of Castle Rock Colorado. Mia attended Douglas County High School where she volunteered as the track team manager and was part of a program to help freshman students called the Link Crew. She was on the Douglas County High School Honor Roll and was involved in various community service projects. Mia will be attending Abilene Christian University to pursue a nursing degree. 

Sydney Dickey

Sydney Dickey, Cheyenne Wells, CO (Farmers Union Service Association Scholarship)

Sydney is the daughter of Devin and FUSA Agent Wendy Dickey of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Sydney has been active in Rocky Mountain Farmers Union by participating in day camps and by attending annual conferences with her parents. She attended Cheyenne Wells High School where she played volleyball and basketball, was on the cheer squad, and ran track. Sydney was also a member of FFA, NHS, FBLA, and Student Council. In the future Sydney hopes to be a small business owner and will be equipping herself with the knowledge need to do so by attending Fort Hays State University to study Business Marketing. 

Brooke Franke

Brooke Franke, Northglenn, CO (Katheryn Pappenheim Memorial Scholarship) 

Brooke is the daughter of Chad and Caroline Franke of Northglenn Colorado. Brooke has been attending Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Camp since 2012, and has been actively involved in Rocky Mountain Farmers Union ever since. She served as a member of the Senior Youth Advisor Council from 2019 to 2020. Brooke graduated from Riverdale Ridge High School where she had success competing in track and field events. Her accomplishments earned her a spot on the University of Mississippi Throwing Team. Brooke will continue her education at the University of Mississippi, and plans to earn a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition with hopes to one day work as a Sports Nutritionist. 

Clayton Marty

Clayton Marty, Strasburg, CO (Bill Stevenson Memorial)

Clayton is the son of Albert and Barbara Marty of Strasburg Colorado. Clayton has been actively involved in the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union through attending the RMFU summer camps, serving as a member of the Senior Youth Advisory Council and by representing his county chapter as a delegate at the annual RMFU Convention. Clayton graduated from Byers High School where he was a FFA member, played baseball, and acted as a team captain of the Byers Football team. He credits his leadership skills to his time at Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Camp. Clayton will be attending Northeastern Junior College in the fall to study Soil and Crop Science. Clayton would like to work as an agronomist after finishing his education, with hopes to help family farmers. 

Kathleen Voight, Aspen, CO (Charles Petty Memorial Scholarship)

Kathleen Voight

Kathleen became a member of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union during the summer of 2020. She is an active member of the Roaring Fork Farmers and Ranchers Chapter and is a part of the 2022 Fellows Class. She works closely with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies to organize educational events for community members. In the past Kathleen has served on the National Young Farmers Coalition Colorado Policy Committee. Kathleen will be continuing her education by pursuing a Masters of Environmental Management at Yale University.  She plans to use her degree to build healthier food systems, support farmers and ensure the viability of agriculture. 

These scholarships recognize the following Farmers Union Leaders: Katheryn Pappenheim, Weld County Farmers Union education director; James Patton, former president of RMFU and National Farmers Union; Charles Petty, a long-standing RMFU Director from New Mexico and Bill Stevenson, former Director of the RMFU Cooperative Development Center.

The RMFU Foundation promotes the well-being of rural communities and farm and ranch families of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The Foundation offers leadership training, youth education opportunities, and provides professional services to groups and individuals involved in cooperative enterprises, local food initiatives, and hometown community initiatives.