2026 Scroggs-Raper Scholarship Recipients

Cole Abercrombie is a Virginia Tech sophomore majoring in agribusiness with a minor in real estate. Growing up in Danville, Va., he was active in Boys Scouts of America and FFA, serving as both president and reporter of the Tunstall High School FFA C

Cole Abercrombie is a Virginia Tech sophomore majoring in agribusiness with a minor in real estate. Growing up in Danville, Va., he was active in Boys Scouts of America and FFA, serving as both president and reporter of the Tunstall High School FFA Chapter. For many years, this Eagle Scout helped his grandfather’s Rotary Club with their Field of Honor flag project, spending countless hours setting up and taking down the flags. His family has been a member of Bedford Cooperative since 1947, and his grandmother’s family owns Fann Family Farms in Sampson County, NC.

Javier Chavez grew up in Winchester, Va., and this past year became the first person in his family to attend college, majoring in agribusiness at Virginia Tech. His work experience includes Ovoka Farm in Paris, Va., and Three Fox Vineyards and Farm B

Javier Chavez grew up in Winchester, Va., and this past year became the first person in his family to attend college, majoring in agribusiness at Virginia Tech. His work experience includes Ovoka Farm in Paris, Va., and Three Fox Vineyards and Farm Brewery in Delaplane.

Kayla Dao is a Virginia Tech senior studying food and health systems economics. While studying Cooperatives and Impacts this past fall, she learned how cooperatives function not just as businesses, but as community systems that balance economic succ

Kayla Dao is a Virginia Tech senior studying food and health systems economics. While studying Cooperatives and Impacts this past fall, she learned how cooperatives function not just as businesses, but as community systems that balance economic success with social responsibility. Dao participated in a study-abroad program in South Africa, which strengthened her passion to address global food and health challenges through research and service. She plans to pursue an Online master’s degree in agricultural and life sciences through Virginia Tech.

Robert Hall is a Virginia Tech senior pursuing a double major in agribusiness and sports media and analytics. During the summer, he works on a local cattle operation and also co-owned a landscaping business. Robert’s 94-year old grandfather started H

Robert Hall is a Virginia Tech senior pursuing a double major in agribusiness and sports media and analytics. During the summer, he works on a local cattle operation and also co-owned a landscaping business. Robert’s 94-year old grandfather started Hallway Feeds in 1964 and serves as president, while his father is vice president.

Bailey Hamilton recently completed her first year at Virginia Tech majoring in agribusiness with a minor in horticulture. She also worked as a receptionist in VT’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, greeting incoming students and helping direc

Bailey Hamilton recently completed her first year at Virginia Tech majoring in agribusiness with a minor in horticulture. She also worked as a receptionist in VT’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, greeting incoming students and helping direct them to the right place. Her parents belong to Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, and she appreciated learning more about cooperatives in the Cooperatives and Impacts course.

Jay Harris is a sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in agribusiness. Growing up in Appomattox County, he is one of the main tractor and equipment operators on his family farm, cutting 75% of the hay crop for their cattle, as well as working with the

Jay Harris is a sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in agribusiness. Growing up in Appomattox County, he is one of the main tractor and equipment operators on his family farm, cutting 75% of the hay crop for their cattle, as well as working with the soybeans, wheat and tobacco crops. Active in FFA, Jay represented Virginia at National FFA’s Big E event, in which his extensive experience maintaining farm equipment helped earn third place in the Safe Tractor Operator contest. His family belongs to Farmers Cooperative, and he enjoyed learning more about the cooperative business model through Dr. Dixie Watts Dalton’s Cooperatives and Impacts class. He plans to put his knowledge of soil erosion and water retention to use for his dad’s excavating business.

Maya Hutchins is an agricultural and applied economics major who grew up in Vienna, Va., where her parents belonged to Navy Federal Credit Union. She appreciated a chance to learn about cooperatives in AAEC 3984 and currently maintains a 4.0 GPA. Ac

Maya Hutchins is an agricultural and applied economics major who grew up in Vienna, Va., where her parents belonged to Navy Federal Credit Union. She appreciated a chance to learn about cooperatives in AAEC 3984 and currently maintains a 4.0 GPA. Active in tutoring as well as debate clubs, she plans to pursue a law degree to be able to make a difference with public policy and laws impacting the agricultural community.

Elisabeth McFee is a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in environmental economics, management and policy. Currently pursuing a fellowship with Virginia Tech’s Kohl Centre, she volunteers at the local YMCA literacy program and as a tour guide for prosp

Elisabeth McFee is a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in environmental economics, management and policy. Currently pursuing a fellowship with Virginia Tech’s Kohl Centre, she volunteers at the local YMCA literacy program and as a tour guide for prospective VT students. After graduation, McFee plans to pursue opportunities in sustainability-focused consulting, environmental planning or policy-driven work.

Kirin Miller is a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in International Trade and Development. She attended the Virginia Institute of Cooperative Education (VICE) in 2024 as a participant and in 2025 as a group leader. After graduation, she plans to purs

Kirin Miller is a junior at Virginia Tech majoring in International Trade and Development. She attended the Virginia Institute of Cooperative Education (VICE) in 2024 as a participant and in 2025 as a group leader. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in international agricultural development with institutions such as the Peace Corps, USDA, World Bank or an international cooperative.

Clay Shantz is a sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in agribusiness. His family belongs to several agricultural cooperatives, as well as Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative and Park View Federal Credit Union. SVEC sponsored his attendance at Elec

Clay Shantz is a sophomore at Virginia Tech majoring in agribusiness. His family belongs to several agricultural cooperatives, as well as Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative and Park View Federal Credit Union. SVEC sponsored his attendance at Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, and he participated in VICE the same year. For several summers, he worked full-time for James Madison University on its turfgrass crew and back home on the farm. He currently works for Interstate Batteries of Shenandoah on inventory and account management.

Anna Spiers is an agribusiness major at Southside Virginia Community College and was active in Dinwiddie County’s FFA and 4-H organizations, volunteering regularly for both organizations. She currently works at Brothers Pizza and Italian Restaurant i

Anna Spiers is an agribusiness major at Southside Virginia Community College and was active in Dinwiddie County’s FFA and 4-H organizations, volunteering regularly for both organizations. She currently works at Brothers Pizza and Italian Restaurant in Dinwiddie and hopes to transfer to Virginia Tech, with the goal of becoming an agricultural educator or 4-H extension agent.

Grace Stowe is a Virginia Tech sophomore majoring in agribusiness. Active in the Pittsylvania County FFA and the Virginia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers Program, she served as Chatham FFA President and represented Virginia at the National FFA Conventio

Grace Stowe is a Virginia Tech sophomore majoring in agribusiness. Active in the Pittsylvania County FFA and the Virginia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers Program, she served as Chatham FFA President and represented Virginia at the National FFA Convention, where she discovered her love of public speaking. Grace enjoyed learning about cooperatives in AAEC 3984 and has started her own agriculture business, Bougie Bees, which has become a passion that will contribute to her career goal of working in human resources for an agricultural cooperative.