Rabbit Valley Farmers Market awards 2023 Scholarship

Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) student Grant Payne of Cartersville has received a Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Scholarship.

The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Scholarship was established to provide financial support to incoming high school students and first-year GNTC students pursuing a degree, diploma or certificate. Scholarship applicants must be planning a career related to farming, gardening, landscape design, environmental issues, floral design or horticulture.

Payne is earning an associate degree in GNTC’s Horticulture program.

“We are excited to continue our support of GNTC’s Horticulture program and look forward to continuing our partnership,” said scholarship donor Samantha Leslie, executive director of the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market in downtown Ringgold.

Payne said his career goal is to own a nursery and landscape supply business.

“I am very appreciative for this financial support to help me continue my passion for horticulture and hope to give back to GNTC in the future,” Payne said.

One scholarship for $500 is awarded each fall term.

“We are so grateful to the Rabbit Valley Farmers Market for their support of our students,” said Lauretta Hannon, executive director of the GNTC Foundation. “They are a wonderful example of what it means to be a community partner.”

(From left) GNTC Foundation Executive Director Lauretta Hannon, Rabbit Valley Farmers Market Executive Director Samantha Leslie, scholarship recipient Grant Payne, GNTC Horticulture program Director Nick Barton and GNTC Foundation Administrator Sarah Egerer.

The Rabbit Valley Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from May 6 through Oct. 14 in the pavilion across from the historic Ringgold Depot. Local vendors sell produce, meats, cheeses, soaps, candles, bread, homemade goods and more, Leslie said.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 11,601 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,071 students and an additional enrollment of 3,530 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution.

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Catherine Edgemon Marketing Media Specialist