Applications due by Friday, May 9, 2025

The Stanley Grimes Conservation Scholarship is in memory of Stanley Grimes, Sr.
Mr. Grimes served on the Merrimack County Conservation District Board of Supervisors for 33 years and was also active in his community of Pembroke, NH. Among many other civic roles, Mr. Grimes served on the school board in Pembroke.

A $1,000 Scholarship* is awarded annually to a Merrimack County resident who has been accepted into a two or four-year program of study in the field of Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Wetland Science, Environmental Engineering, Soil Science, or a related Natural Resources program.

*The Board of Supervisors reserves the right to award additional scholarships of varying amounts if funds are available.

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2024 Stanley Grimes Conservation Scholarship Winners

Abbygail Allen — Webster, New Hampshire
Abbygail attends the University of Findlay and is studying animal science, focusing on both the pre-veterinary track and western equestrian studies. Her schedule keeps her quite busy, both in and out of class. She participates in her university livestock show team, rides rotational horses six days a week in her equine classes learning trail, live driving, counter cantering, horsemanship and more, learning the ins-and-outs of veterinary and livestock procedures in her Animal Handling Class, and working a night shift job at the Universities Western Farm every other week. She is excited to give back as much as possible to her communities and the state she calls home once she finishes her studies.

Caroline Allen — Warner, New Hampshire
Caroline attends Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, where she is pursuing a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences. She has been an active member in her hometown of Warner, during high school she worked on a community service project with the Town of Warner Conservation Commission where she gained immense knowledge of conservation easements, property deeds, and the importance of land conservation in Warner. Caroline is excited to pursue a career in sustainability and help implement large-scale changes to reduce the impact of climate change.

Hayden Gardner — Loudon, New Hampshire
Hayden attends SUNY Cobleskill where he will be graduating in 2025 with his bachelor’s degree in Agri-Business, after already receiving his associates degree in Agricultural Technology. Upon graduation, he intends to work with those in the agricultural community to assist them in new ideas or equipment that will allow them to have better crop, and livestock yields to better feed their community. He hopes the skills he’s learning in school will allow him to better help the family farms that have been operating for generations to continue this lifestyle and pass down the work to future generations.

Lauren Gardner — Loudon, New Hampshire
Lauren attends SUNY Cobleskill where she plans to study wildlife management. Once she graduates from this highly recommended program, she plans to apply to be a Fish and Game officer in New Hampshire. While farming is ingrained in her blood, she is passionate about conserving the forest, waterways and wildlife. She hopes that being a conservation officer she will be able to make a difference in the environment and help farmers and wildlife be harmonious.