New scholarship fund to assist women in agriculture at University of Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE – Paula Manning, Leigh Page, and Grayson Shreves, have a family venture dubbed GAP Ready! Farm Services, Inc.  From bookkeeping to audit preparation, Paula and her adult children have a passion for agriculture as they assist growers across Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and beyond.  Their business has been so successful that the trio want to share their good fortune with the greater community.  Starting in the spring of 2024, one student from the University of Mount Olive will be awarded a Women in Agriculture scholarship sponsored by Gap Ready! Farm Services.  

A product of a UMO education Page, received her undergraduate degree from UMO in 2010 and her MBA from the institution in 2014.  “The premise of this scholarship is to help young women, like myself, who have a passion for agriculture and want to make an impact in the predominately male-dominated field.” She said.  

Scholarship applications are currently being accepted in the UMO Office of Admissions through April 1. Preference will be given to female students seeking an agriculture degree.  The recipient must demonstrate financial need and maintain a 3.0 GPA.  The scholarship can be awarded consecutively for up to four years.

Headquartered in Grifton, NC GAP Ready! Farm Services takes pride in building a relationship with each of their growers and learning the ins and outs of their farming operation.  They work directly with growers, auditors, and certifying bodies to ensure success for each farming operation. “We want our success to translate to academic success for future UMO females in ag,” said Manning.  

“We are humbled to be in the position to offer this scholarship opportunity to young women, who are seeking to make an impact on the future of agriculture,” said Page. “And I know from my own experience that there is no better place to start than at the University of Mount Olive.

For more information about the scholarship or to apply, contact Director of Admissions Nicole Balsamello at nbalsamello@umo.edu.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.