Each year, the Kensington Garden Club presents a scholarship to a student interested in agronomy, botany, conservation, forestry, environmental control, horticulture, landscape design, land management, or plant science and related fields. This year, the club is proud to announce our scholarship winner is Jennifer Hanson, a Berlin resident and recent graduate of Southington High School.

Jennifer’s story is unique. Her family founded Spruce Brook Farm in 1887. With these historic roots in mind, Jennifer seeks to study Agricultural Business Management, with the goal of restoring her family farm to a producing dairy farm. Currently, Spruce Brook Farm has a small herd of dairy cows and has recently expanded to milk goats that they hope to breed.

Jennifer chose to participate in the agricultural program at Southington High School while she was a student at McGee Middle School, when area high schools came to speak with students about available curricula and programs. She graduated from Southington High School’s agricultural science and technology program in June, 2024.

Jennifer cannot remember a time when she was not working or helping out on her family’s farm. Her love of animals as well as her family’s long history as farmers, have inspired her to follow this unconventional career path. Jennifer also works at Matson Farm, where she is involved with all aspects of horse care. Jennifer is also an active member of Future Farmers of America, and currently serves as President of Berlin’s 4H Club.

Jennifer is currently enrolled at Tunxis Community College, working toward an associate’s degree in business and hospitality. She hopes to learn through her business studies what is necessary in order to meet the modern challenges of making her family farm financially viable.

The Kensington Garden Club wishes Jennifer all the best in her studies at Tunxis, and in her future endeavors in farming and agriculture.