By DAVID SMITH
North Central Co-op

North Central Co-op has awarded scholarships to 12 outstanding students from across Indiana and Michigan who are pursuing higher education during the 2015-2016 academic year. Since 2001, the cooperative has awarded more than 80 scholarships totaling more than $90,000 to deserving post-secondary scholars.

NCC scholarships were awarded to students who were selected based on their contributions to local agriculture programs, academic achievements and involvement and their career and education goals.

Among the 12 scholarships are three local students:

• Joshwa Baker of Rochester will graduate from Rochester High School and pursue a degree from Lincoln Tech in diesel technology. Baker’s guardians are Connie and Mickey Baker.
• Lindsey Dierks of North Manchester, is the daughter of Todd and Melissa Dierks. She will be attending Ivy Tech this fall to pursue a degree in agriculture after graduation from Manchester High School.
• Madison Riley, of Goshen, will graduate from Fairfield High School. She will attend Huntington University this fall and pursue a degree in agribusiness. Riley is the daughter of Mike and Diane Riley.

North Central Co-op is a full service agricultural supply cooperative that is farmer owned with its headquarters located in Wabash. NCC brings its customers the very best in energy, agronomic and feed products and services by providing the best value through service, innovation and stewardship. NCC operates with more than 300 employees at 35 different locations. The NCC team is focused on serving our communities, customers and as local experts in agronomy, energy, feed and grain.