The Rhinebeck Farmers Market awarded their John Honey scholarship of $2,000 to Claire Burnett of Salt Point, NY. The scholarship, named after Rhinebeck Farmers Market founder John Honey, is intended to support the education and future success of a student who is dedicated to promoting local agriculture and enhancing the social, economic, and environmental sustainability of the Hudson Valley. Claire will complete her AA degree in agriculture leadership at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma, this coming May and then plans to transfer to Texas A&M to complete her undergraduate work and get a master’s degree in agriculture education. Farming is embedded in her genes. She’s a third generation farmer who’s grown up in Salt Point on Netherwood Farm, where her grandfather raised Corriedales. Claire began managing livestock at age 4 with her first sheep, Minny and Daisy, a pair of Texel crosses. At 8 she joined Southern Shepherds 4H club and began her shepherding in earnest. Her small prize winning flock of Oxfords keep her busy. When she’s home from college you’ll find her in the red wooden barn, caring for her animals and getting them ready for travel to east coast sheep shows. She’s managed her flock well—her profits have covered her vet bills and other sheep related expenses. When she’s not in class in college, she’s on the road with the livestock judging team on trips to livestock judging contests in Colorado, Arizona, and Mississippi to evaluate the quality of sheep, goats, cattle, and hogs.
Currently a member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow at Connors State, she’s passionate about educating the public about agriculture. “It’s important to know where your meat comes from. If the public doesn’t understand agriculture, they won’t support it. They’ll be reluctant to spend the extra few dollars on quality meat and vegetables.” Her dream job? “I want to come back to the Hudson Valley and do agriculture education for the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.”
Claire graduated from Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park where she was president of the student body and on the crew team.
Currently a member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow at Connors State, she’s passionate about educating the public about agriculture. “It’s important to know where your meat comes from. If the public doesn’t understand agriculture, they won’t support it. They’ll be reluctant to spend the extra few dollars on quality meat and vegetables.” Her dream job? “I want to come back to the Hudson Valley and do agriculture education for the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.”
Claire graduated from Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park where she was president of the student body and on the crew team.