2026 Michael B. Whitfield Scholarship Recipient: Piper Palmer

Teton Regional Land Trust is pleased to announce that Piper Palmer has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Michael B. Whitfield Scholarship. The annual $2,000 scholarship honors Michael B. Whitfield, one of the organization’s founders and its first Executive Director, who helped establish the Land Trust in 1990 and played a key role in protecting important landscapes across eastern Idaho and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The scholarship supports graduating high school seniors within Teton Regional Land Trust’s service area, who plan to pursue studies in environmental sciences, agriculture, ecology, or related fields. 

Piper Palmer is a senior at South Fremont High School with a strong interest in agriculture and the outdoors. She has been actively involved in FFA since eighth grade and has served in multiple leadership roles, including chapter officer, South Fremont student advisor, and North Upper Snake River District Reporter. 

Throughout her time in FFA, Piper has competed in a range of events including horse evaluation, livestock judging, veterinary science, environmental natural resources, and extemporaneous speaking. She has earned her Greenhand, Chapter, and State degrees and plans to pursue her American Degree. 

In addition to FFA, Piper has been involved in 4-H since the age of eight, participating in a variety of clubs and day camps. Her favorite activities include horse programs and shooting sports. Last year, she qualified for and competed at the National Shooting Sports Championships in Nebraska as a member of Idaho’s Air Rifle team. 

After graduating from South Fremont High School, Piper plans to attend the College of Southern Idaho, where she will study agriculture education and work toward a career in the field. 

Teton Regional Land Trust congratulates Piper on this achievement and looks forward to seeing how she continues to contribute to agriculture, education, and conservation in the years ahead.