Hailey Rotary creates new fund for students pursuing careers in agriculture
BY MARIA PREKEGES
Hailey Rotary has created the new “Bud Purdy Farm and Ranch Scholarship” for its scholarship program to help local youth and to honor longtime Blaine County farmer and rancher, the late Bud Purdy.
The Bud Purdy Scholarship will go to graduating high school students who are intent on pursuing training in the agricultural sciences field. Any Blaine County senior wishing to pursue a secondary education leading to work in agriculture or related fields is eligible.
The scholarship honors Purdy, who is recognized as a leader and legend in the ranching and farming community of not only Blaine County but also the state of Idaho. Purdy’s legacy as a farmer and rancher goes back to 1928 when he began working on the family ranch at Picabo. After graduating from Washington State University with a business degree in 1938, Purdy returned to the ranch. Eventually, he acquired the ranch from his family and it is now known as Picabo Land and Livestock Company.
Purdy was known as a strong advocate of education. His son, Scott Purdy, commented on what his father might have thought about a scholarship being created in his name.
“He was a big supporter of education and of the livestock industry,” Scott Purdy said. “The two really fit together and I know he’d be very pleased about this scholarship. Dad was a big supporter of CSI and the University of Idaho and I want to continue his legacy, so it’s great to have this scholarship.”
Wendell Cayton, a member of the board of directors of Hailey Rotary and a resident of south Blaine County, spearheaded creation of the scholarship and explained how it came about:
“Last year I was raising money for Rotary and, being fairly new to the area, I thought I should talk to south-county residents for their participation and donating money,” Cayton said. “In the course of doing this, I had conversations with a number of south-county residents and they wanted to help out with kids that want to study agriculture and the trades. I took this idea to the Rotary club in Hailey and contacted Nick Purdy and he was very supportive of the idea and naming the scholarship after his dad.”
Hailey Rotary introduced the scholarship to Blaine County high schools in January.
“They were very responsive,” Cayton said. “We didn’t have much time, and scholarship applications came in quickly, as we had a deadline. We were fortunate to have four really good applicants apply.”
This year, Hailey Rotary has funding for one Bud Purdy scholarship. The scholarship has been awarded to a student but a public announcement has not yet been made.
Cayton said he continues with fundraising and building an endowment fund so Hailey Rotary has permanent money for the scholarship.