The Penn Manor Education Foundation has created the August "Gus" Birchler Memorial Scholarship to benefit students in the agriculture program at Penn Manor High School. "We set up a scholarship in his name and ask the agriculture program staff to select students to receive it," said Jan Mindish, executive director for the foundation. "The scholarship goes to the kids who would benefit the most, which is what he wanted."

Birchler spent his early years working on his family farm and enjoyed an adventurous life. He was an avid baseball player throughout high school and spent time working at Philco Ford as an industrial engineer after graduating. Unsatisfied with his position, he set his sights on joining the Air Force as a pilot. When his injuries from playing baseball prevented him from continuing training, Birchler decided to join the Navy instead and was assigned to a destroyer as a mail courier.

After traveling the world during his service in the Navy, Birchler attended Penn State University, initially to become a veterinarian. He later changed his major to agriculture and earned a bachelor's degree, eventually obtaining his doctorate. Despite his wealth of experiences and higher education, he always considered himself a farmer first. He loved connecting with kids he taught through Penn Manor's agriculture program and the FFA. "I watched him build kids up, ninth-graders who didn't have a lot of presence," Mindish said. "By the time they graduated, they were emceeing banquets. It was amazing to watch."

The Penn Manor agriculture program has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and praised for its advancement over the years. Courses are offered on subjects ranging from environmental education to veterinary science, and the program has seen substantial growth over the last 30 years. "The program gives kids a home base just like a sport or music program would," said Mindish. "They get to see opportunities for after they graduate. Some students decide to go to college, and others begin working on their family farm." Participants in the program are paired with other students in order to better achieve their goals; students with interests in veterinary science who lack the accommodations for their own animals are placed with students who may live on a farm and have the ability to house a large animal.

"The difference a teacher can make for kids is incredible. We got so many cards and checks from Gus' former students remembering the difference he made in their lives," said Mindish. "He's just one example of someone who really made a difference in the lives of so many students." Those who wish to support the program and make a donation in Birchler's memory can contact pmef2@pennmanor.net. Funds received will directly support grants given throughout the agriculture program.

For more information, contact Mindish at janmindish@comcast.net or visit https://pennmanoredfoundation.org/.