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Since 2005, we have honored Vermont students who are dedicated to farming, forestry, and land stewardship with our Land Stewards Award. Juniors and seniors at farming and natural resource programs are nominated by their teachers. This year, 10 students were honored with $500 checks.
Growing up on his family’s dairy farm, Caleb deeply understands tradition and change. The farm has been in his family for several generations and he has seen all aspects of farming change with new technology and innovation.
Caleb was nominated during his senior year at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center by Aaron Townshend, his Natural Resources Management instructor. In his nomination, Aaron remarked on Caleb’s strong work ethic, open-mindedness, dedication, environmental responsibility, and willingness to learn.
“We all share the same natural resources and rely on past generations to practice stewardship so that future generations may continue to thrive,” said Aaron. “Caleb is exactly such a steward: he understands the value of the natural environment and is an advocate of its prosperity.”
This summer, Caleb will obtain his Class A Commercial Driving License. In the fall, he will attend the Maine Compost School.
“I was born and raised in Vermont,” said Caleb. “I am the fifth generation on our family farm and the third generation on our family composting operation.”
“I have a deep connection to the Vermont landscape,” he added. “I believe my purpose is to respect, appreciate, and care for agricultural land and forests so that the generations ahead of me enjoy the beauty as much as I have.”
Cyrus grew up on Tilton Family Farm, a small dairy run by his grandparents where he helps with mechanical repairs, summer haying, and other jobs around the farm. He also works at Joneslan Goat Farm in Morrisville.
During his junior year, Cyrus attended both Lamoille Union High School and the Sustainable Agriculture program at the Green Mountain Technology & Career Center. He worked at the school’s farm located at Brewster Uplands in Cambridge, deepening his skills in vegetable production and rotational grazing of beef and goat herds. He plans to continue at the Center in the Forestry program next year.
His Green Mountain Tech instructor, Sam Rowley, nominated Cyrus for the award, saying, “Cyrus is a genuinely kind and generous person, enjoys the outdoors and has deep roots in farming. He cares about people and animals alike. Cyrus is always willing to lend a helping hand and often stays late to help out at the farm.”
Cyrus hopes to take over his family’s farm, making his career living and working off the land. His goal is to diversify the farm and invest in new techniques and technology. “I’m a fourth-generation farmer. There aren’t many farming families in my community anymore and I’m proud to represent the next generation,” said Cyrus. “I want future generations to be able to enjoy the land like I do.”
Edwin’s family has worked the land in Vermont for generations and he has a passion for the outdoors. He hopes to be the first person in his family to attend college.
Edwin is enrolled in the Community/Climate Resilience through Agriculture, Forestry, and Technology (CRAFT) program at Woodstock Union High School. He was nominated for the award during his junior year by his instructor and CRAFT co-founder, Janis Boulbol. “Edwin is a hard-working, dedicated student who takes every opportunity offered to him to engage with the land and his community,” she said.
In addition to his work in the CRAFT program, he is also active in the school’s Future Farmers of America chapter and a natural resources student at Hartford Area Career & Technology School. He was a George Perkins Marsh intern at the Marsh-Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park in Woodstock, where he helped maintain trails, worked with the public, and cared for the tree nursery.
“Learning and caring about the land is one of the most important things in a person’s life,” said Edwin. “If we don’t, we will lose a magical place.”
He plans to work for the National Park Service to help preserve and protect our lands and waters for future generations.
Lizzie Vaughan is a 2024 graduate of the River Bend Career & Technical Center and Oxbow Union High School in Bradford.
Ian Blackmer, the Diversified Agriculture and Natural Resources instructor at River Bend, nominated Lizzie for the award. He describes her as equally capable of milling lumber, caring for crop plants, making syrup, teaching other students, pruning trees, and more. Her experience on her family’s dairy farm has inspired her to pursue a career in agriculture.
“Lizzie has consistently demonstrated that she is capable and determined to succeed – all while helping others along the way,” said Ian. “She will most certainly make a positive and lasting mark on the world around her.”
She will be attending SUNY Cobleskill in the fall as an Agriculture Business Major. She plans to continue working on her family dairy farm, another local farm, the local Agway store, and stay active in the local 4-H.
“I choose to be part of agriculture and natural resources because that’s what I grew up around. People don’t understand how important our land is and they take it for granted,” said Lizzie. “We need to start taking better care of our land so that it will be around for generations to come.”
Hannah Guiguere has set her sights on a career in forestry, land management, and conservation. The Lebanon, NH high school student enrolled in the Natural Resources program at the Hartford Area Career & Technology Center in White River Junction to further that goal.
Hannah’s Natural Resources instructor, Timmy MacDonnell, nominated Hannah for this award during her junior year. “Hannah’s thirst for knowledge in all things natural resources sets her apart from her classmates,” said Timmy. “Hannah is constantly questioning, showing a level of care and desire to deeply understand the world around her that I find so impressive for a high school student.”
Hannah has twice been recognized as the Center’s Student of the Month for her academic performance and commitment to the school’s mission. Outside of school, Hannah works at McNamara Dairy Farm in Plainfield, NH and participates in the school fishing club. Last fall, she volunteered at Willing Hands, a Norwich, VT non-profit that specializes in gleaning and providing nutritious food to Upper Valley residents.
“The Natural Resources program has provided me opportunities to experience the Vermont landscape differently,” said Hannah. “I see value in the preservation of the land and I hope my future career in a forestry field will help me build a deeper connection.”
Joey grew up farming. His family had been running the last operating dairy farm in Braintree, but recently had to shut down the business. Joey hopes to use the skills he is learning to revitalize his family’s farm.
Ryan O’Malley is Joey’s Diversified Agriculture instructor at the Randolph Technical Career Center. In nominating the senior for this award, Ryan called Joey “the epitome of a Vermont land steward. When we are in the logging woods, he is a leader, ready to demonstrate by example. When working on our school farm, he is the first person to put his hands in the soil. If it is land-based work, he is ready to engage and do good work.”
Joey has been an active competitor in the Vermont 4-H program and plans to continue showing his new team of oxen. “I like to be outside working with nature, animals and trees,” said Joey. “Taking care of the land is important because it’s the foundation of what we live on.”
“Without fields, forests, farms, agriculture, and animals there will not be food for people,” he added. “It’s also important to manage woodlots so that there’s healthy habitat for animals.”
Jack’s family has been working the land for five generations. Jack works alongside his family in dairy farming, crop management, maple sugaring, and timber and firewood harvesting.
Brian Japp, Forestry & Horticulture instructor at The Center for Technology in Essex, nominated the senior for this award. Brian spoke of Jack’s leadership and problem-solving skills. “He desires to leave things better than how he found [them],” he said. “No matter where we are, Jack is careful to treat the [land] with care and respect.”
Jack is a two-year member of the National Technical Honor Society, which recognizes his exemplary grades and commitment to technical and academic classes. He placed third in the state Game of Logging competition this spring, and graduated from Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax this summer. In the coming years, he plans to complete his Master Electrician certification and continue to work with his family on their sugarbush.
“The forests and agricultural landscape of Vermont are what the state is known for,” said Jack. “Keeping them healthy and properly maintained is key to the future of Vermont.”
Logan grew up on a family farm in Franklin. He plans to continue working the land at Fournier Farms and hopes to take it over one day.
His instructors at the Cold Hollow Career Center in Enosburgh Falls see his passion every day. “Logan lives for being on his farm and working his family’s land,” said Joshua Goss, Logan’s Forestry and Natural Resources instructor, who nominated the junior for this award. He said Logan spends a lot of time thinking about making his family’s dairy, sugaring, and crop operations more efficient. “Logan’s love of the land is evident anytime you talk to him about working on the farm.”
Logan has been active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, participating in several state competitions including Land Judging, Winter Forestry, Spring Forestry, and Prepared Public Speaking.
“I love to work the land on my family farm,” said Logan. “If you don’t care for the land and give it what it needs, it won’t give back.”
When VLT staffer Tucker Malone stopped by to give Logan his award, Logan was mowing hay on the family farm in Franklin. After snapping a quick photo, Logan jumped right back on the tractor to finish his plan of mowing 200 acres that day (see photo).
An aspiring biologist, Bobby Giordano is fascinated by all living things. He grew up in suburban Long Island and feels that moving to Vermont opened his eyes to the possibility of a career in natural resources and forestry.
Michael Stannard is Bobby’s Natural Resources and Forestry instructor at Stafford Technical Center in Rutland, and nominated him. “Bobby is constantly helping his instructors and classmates plan and prepare for future projects,” said Michael. “His sense of humor, strong academic prowess, and positive and professional attitude will serve him well after high school.”
Bobby says his courses at the Center have helped him apply what he’s learning in the classroom to the world outside. He credits them with making his dream of a career working outdoors achievable. The next step in that path is a college degree in conservation biology.
“Caring for and working on the land is crucially important if we actually want to build this sustainable future we all keep talking about,” said Bobby. He says he wants to apply his knowledge to be able to manage ecosystems in a way that benefits both people and the environment.
VLT staffer Al Karnatz went to Rutland to give Bobby his award. Bobby’s teacher Mike and his parents, Jessa and Casey, gathered for the occasion (see photo).
Growing up in a family that spent most of their time outdoors, Tyra knew she wanted to spend her life working outside. She recalls riding in a skidder with her father from a young age, helping him with the family logging business.
Sam Nijensohn is Tyra’s Natural Resources instructor at the North Country Career Center (NCCC) in Newport, and nominated her during her senior year. He says she is a stand-out student who quickly learns new subjects and then leads and motivates her classmates to do the same.
“It is not often that a teacher has a student who is so motivated by learning our curriculum and also has a lifetime of personal stories related to forestry that she can share with the class,” said Sam.
Tyra has been a leader in NCCC’s Future Farmers of America chapter and currently holds the role of Secretary. She is a member of North Country Union High School’s National Honors Society. She plans to attend the University of Vermont, focusing on wildlife biology and forestry.
“I want to preserve the land so that future generations can enjoy and have the opportunity to make memories like I did,” said Tyra.
