ACA Announces 2025 Cider is for Everyone Scholarship Recipients

ACA Announces 2025 Cider is for Everyone Scholarship Recipients

The American Cider Association (ACA) is thrilled to announce the awardees of the ACA’s 4th Cider is for Everyone Scholarship. Recipients are Marcio Buffolo, head cidermaker at Mountain West Hard CiderBeyLoved Pairings LLC and bartender at Green Bench Brewing Co.Jobs For the Future and DC Brand Ambassador for Artisanal Brewing VenturesSuárez Wines@workout.to.eatout_pdx.

This scholarship is designed to bring individuals from historically marginalized populations within the beverage industry to CiderCon® to increase the accessibility of cider education and catalyze networking opportunities for burgeoning cider professionals.

Each scholarship includes registration, travel, and lodging to attend CiderCon® 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. CiderCon® is the world’s premier networking and educational event for the professional cidermaking community. Additionally, scholarship recipients receive a year of ACA membership and study materials and waived exam fees to pursue recognition through the Certified Cider Guide and Certified Pommelier education and certification programs offered by the ACA. New this year, scholars are also eligible for travel stipends to participate in cider judging at various cider competitions throughout the country after earning their credentials as Certified Pommeliers.

This scholarship is part of a broader effort by the ACA to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the cider industry. In 2019 the ACA launched the Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as important and necessary principles for the present and future successes of the cider industry. Its members, in conjunction with the rest of the organization, strive to create events, opportunities and organizational policies that embody principles and practices of equity and inclusion.

“This scholarship is one of our best tools for fostering a more diverse cider industry,” says Michelle McGrath, CEO of the ACA. “The scholarship needs to work in lock step with our efforts to create a more inclusive industry so that, as we have more diverse CiderCon® attendees, they are surrounded by a welcoming community and equitable environment.”

The ACA is grateful for support from Seattle Cider and the Great American Beer Festival for sponsoring the Cider is for Everyone Scholarship. Companies who wish to add their support to the scholarship program should contact Membership & Engagement Coordinator Miranda Bradeen at [email protected].

Further information, scholar bios and photos can be found on our website. Please contact Michelle McGrath at [email protected] for media inquiries.