Union County Farm Bureau awards annual agriculture scholarship to local student Gabriel Zamora
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (Press release from the Union County Farm Bureau) The Union County Farm Bureau is proud to announce Gabriel “Gabe” Zamora as the recipient of its annual agriculture scholarship for the upcoming academic year. This scholarship program is specifically designed to support Union County high school graduates and returning college students who are pursuing a 2-year, 4-year, or graduate-level degree in agriculture, forestry, environmental sciences, natural resource science, or vocational and trade-related fields.
Zamora, a resident of La Grande and a graduate of La Grande High School, perfectly exemplifies the criteria of this award. To qualify, applicants must have resided or attended high school in Union County, maintain enrollment in fall classes with a minimum of 12 credit hours per term, and be a member (or the child of a member) of the Union County Farm Bureau.
Zamora will receive an award of $1,500 to continue his higher education. He is currently attending the University of Idaho, where he maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA. He will be a senior this year, majoring in Animal Science, Pre-Veterinarian.
“We are thrilled to support Gabe as he takes this next step toward a career in agriculture,” said Curt Ricker, President of the Union County Farm Bureau. “Our organization is dedicated to fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders, innovators, and advocates. Students like Gabe represent the bright future of farming and rural communities in Union County.”
During his high school career, Zamora was highly active in the community, participating in high school football, swimming, and FFA, where he served as the FFA secretary. He also received the La Grande High School Principal’s Award, and was honored with the 2024 Martha H. Fryer Animal Science Scholarship. His academic excellence has continued into higher education, earning him the University of Idaho Department of Veterinary Science Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore awards in 2024 and 2025.
The Union County Farm Bureau scholarship program is funded through the generous support of local members and annual community events. It aims to ease the financial burden of higher education for local students pursuing career paths that directly benefit the agricultural sector or rural economies.
Award Summary at a Glance
| Category | Recipient Details |
|---|---|
| Recipient Name | Gabriel Zamora |
| Hometown | La Grande, Union County |
| Institution | University of Idaho (Incoming Senior) |
| Field of Study | Animal Science, Pre-Veterinarian (4.0 GPA) |
| Award Amount | $1,500 |
About the Scholarship Program & Eligibility
The Union County Farm Bureau offers this scholarship annually to encourage local students to enter vital industries like agriculture, forestry, environmental science, and related trades. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Enroll in classes for the upcoming fall term.
- Successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours per quarter or semester equivalent.
- Major in an agriculture, forestry, environmental, natural resource, or vocational/trade-related field.
- The applicant or their parents must be Union County Farm Bureau members. (Membership can be obtained online by visiting www.oregonfb.org/membership).
- The applicant must have been a resident of Union County during their high school years OR have attended high school in Union County.
About Union County Farm Bureau:
The Union County Farm Bureau is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting local agriculture, protecting farming interests, and promoting agricultural education within the community. Through advocacy, education, and community involvement, the Farm Bureau works to ensure a viable and sustainable future for agriculture in Union County.
