Hannah Binnion was awarded the 2020 John H. Butterfield Agri-Science and Nutrition Scholarship by the Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation.

A graduate of Central A&M and Lake Land Community College, Binnion of Sullivan is pursuing a degree in human nutrition at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; she plans to become a dietitian.

Extremely engaged with campus clubs and organizations, Binnion’s combination of academic achievement, leadership and personal character have made her a role model to her peers, foundation officials said.

Agriculture is essential for good health and remains one of the driving economic impacts in our local community, said Raedena Ryan, executive director of the Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation.

John H. Butterfield had a lifetime interest in soil science and plant nutrition, which led him around the world to observe and learn about farming practices in other countries. Raised on a Christian County farm, Butterfield received a degree from the University of Illinois and worked as an appraiser for the Farm Credit Administration before returning to the family farm in 1940.

A strong advocate for soil conservation, Butterfield served many years on the Soil Conservation Advisory Board as well as being actively involved with the American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers and Feed Grain Council.

“The Butterfield family established this scholarship to honor their father’s dedication to agriculture. Awarding this scholarship to a young person preparing for a career in agriculture or nutrition exemplifies John’s life-long interest in education,” Ryan said.

The application deadline for the 2021 John H. Butterfield Agri-science and Nutrition Scholarship is April 1.  The application is available on Taylorville Memorial Hospital’s website at TaylorvilleMemorial.org/Foundation.

The Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation is a nonprofit, incorporated as a 501(c)3. Organized in 1995, the foundation supports Taylorville Memorial Hospital’s mission to improve the health of the people and communities it serves.