Follow
Those born with green thumbs but limited funds are likely to grasp how agricultural scholarships are figurative goldmines that can provide fulfillment of lifelong dreams. Bright scholars of modest means with a love of the earth might be amazed at how such gifts can grant their career goals.
Some of the careers available to the earner of a degree in agriculture are water quality specialist, food chemist or technician, USDA inspector, agribusiness manager, natural resources manager, agriscientist, horticulturist, forest ranger, fisheries and wildlife warden and veterinarian.
Aspiring students with high potential but low bank balances are well advised to look closely at the list of agricultural scholarships below.
1. National Beef Ambassador Program
Deadline: Contact sponsor
American National Cattlewomen Foundation, Inc. cosponsors this annual competition that offers cash prizes of $1,000 to each of five national finalists. Junior Division contestants must be 12 to 16 years of age by September 1st of the contest year. Senior Division contestants must be 17 to 20 years of age by September 1st of the contest year. All entrants must first compete on a state level by giving public speeches and media interviews about beef nutrition, safety and production. Each state chapter may select one Senior Division and an unlimited number of Junior Division winners for national competition entry.
Contact
National Beef Ambassador Program
Sarah J. Bohnenkamp, Project Manager
Phone: 303‐850‐3440
Email: sbohnenkamp@ancw.org
2. A.W. Bodine-Sunkist Memorial Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 30
Since 1985, Sunkist has been helping worthy students attain higher education, many of whom were the first member of their family to attend college. Annual awards have historically been about $2,000 and may be renewed for up to four years, provided recipients maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum GPA of 2.75.
Applicants must be undergraduate students majoring in any field at any institution with demonstrated academic ability and financial need. Candidates must also have or be related to an immediate family member with a history of involvement in California or Arizona agriculture.
Contact
A.W. Bodine-Sunkist Memorial Scholarship Program
Joan Mason, Administrator
P.O. Box 7888
Van Nuys, CA 91409
3. AFA National Leader and Academic Scholarship
Deadline: March 14
American Future of Agriculture makes 25 to 30 annual awards to students pursuing careers in U.S. agriculture. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted by a four-year agriculture-related degree program, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be a U.S. citizen. Influential selections factors in order of relative significance are career goals, leadership potential, community involvement and financial need.
Contact
AFA National Leader and Academic Scholarship
Derek Mulhern
P.O. Box 414838
Kansas City, MO 64141
Phone: (888) 472-4232
Email: derek.mulhern@agfuture.org
4. Agribusiness Association of Kentucky Agricultural Scholarship
Deadline: June 1
ABAK makes annual awards of $1,000 to acknowledge and assist Kentucky agricultural students. Applicants must be Kentucky residents, enrolled in or accepted by an undergraduate postsecondary school and declare an agricultural major.
Contact
Agribusiness Association of Kentucky Agricultural Scholarship
512 Capitol Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
Download an application at http://www.kyagbusiness.org/images/2012_ABAK_scholarship_application_Info.pdf.
5. Alpha Gamma Rho Dairy Scholarship
Deadline: March 31
AGR fraternity administers this fund sponsored by Ole Meland that makes annual an award of $500 to an undergraduate AGR frat.
Applicants must be majoring in dairy science, dairy husbandry, or animal science or animal husbandry with a dairy emphasis. Candidates must also exhibit high levels of academic excellence and personal integrity. Students who attend Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo are preferred.
Contact
Alpha Gamma Rho Dairy Scholarship
Educational Foundation of AGR
10101 NW Ambassador Drive
Kansas City, MO 64153
Phone: 816-891-9200 ext. 21
Email: brad@alphagammarho.org
6. Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship program
Deadline: December 2
Open date: October 1
As sustainable and organic agriculture is the heart of all its activities and purpose of existence, Annie’s Homegrown makes annual awards to students interested in sustainable agriculture careers.
Applicants must be pursuing degrees in organic or sustainable agriculture fields and demonstrate exceptional scholarship in addition to agricultural activities involvement. Although no specific amount is stated, awards have historically ranged between $2,500 and $10,000.
Contact
Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship program
564 Gateway Drive
Napa, CA 94558
Phone: 800-288-1089
Email: scholarships@annies.com
7. ASEV Scholarships
Deadline: March 1
The American Society for Enology and Viticulture makes numerous annual awards to students pursuing degrees in viticulture, enology or related curricula with emphases on sciences essential to the wine and grape industry.
Applicants must be full-time North American undergraduate or graduate students. Undergraduates must be juniors or seniors by upcoming academic year who have completed 45 semester hours or 60 quarter hours with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Graduate students must have a minimum 3.2 GPA.
Contact
ASEV Scholarships
P.O. Box 1855
Davis, CA 95617
Phone: (530) 753-3142
Email: society@asev.org
8. Beef Industry Scholarship
Deadline: December 13
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation makes annual awards to students with high potential for career success in the beef industry. To honor its 25th birthday, this fund will make 25 awards of $1,000 for the academic year of 2014-2015.
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or full-time undergraduate students during the academic year of award and major in an education, research, production, communications or other fields related to the beef industry.
Chosen recipients may reapply and all candidates must submit essays that describe a proposed management strategy for a risk faced by the beef industry. Essay quality has a 70 percent influence on award selections.
Contact
Beef Industry Scholarship
National Cattlemen’s Foundation
9110 East Nichols Avenue, Suite 300
Centennial, CO 80112
Phone: 303-694-0305
Email: NCF@beef.org
9. Benjamin C Blackburn Scholarship
Deadline: April 4
Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum sponsors this memorial scholarship that makes annual awards of $2,500 to horticultural students at County College of Morris, NJ.
Applicants must be New Jersey residents enrolled in the County College of Morris Landscape and Horticultural Technology program with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Contact
Benjamin C Blackburn Scholarship
Friends of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum
353 East Hanover Avenue
PO Box 1295
Morristown, NJ 07962
Download an application at http://www.arboretumfriends.org/images/2014-1Winter/SCHOLARSHIP_ANNOUNCE_Friends_140111.pdf.
10. BRIDGE Endowment Fund FFA Scholarship
Deadline: February 1
Future Farmers of America administers this scholarship that awards $5,000 to help physically challenged or disabled members pursue postsecondary degrees in agriculture.
Applicants must be current FFA members who are high school seniors on application date and have a physical disability or handicap. Documentation of the last criterion may be required and all recipients must major in a degree program within the agricultural field.
Contact
BRIDGE Endowment Fund FFA Scholarship
The National FFA Organization
PO Box 68960
Indianapolis, IN 46268
Email: scholarships@ffa.org
11. Central Florida Orchid Society Scholarship
Deadline: February 15
The Central Florida Orchid Society makes a $3,000 award annually to encourage educational pursuits in horticulture, agriculture and life sciences.
Applicants must major in horticulture sciences or production, agricultural or biological engineering, botany, entomology and nematology, landscaping and nursery horticulture, plant science, agronomy or plant pathology. Additional requirements include full-time attendance at an accredited institution, U.S. citizenship, above average GPA and an associate’s or higher degree by the upcoming fall session. Candidates must also be permanent residents of Polk, Lake, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia or Seminole Counties in Central FL.
Contact
Central Florida Orchid Society Scholarship
The Central Florida Scholarship Committee
Post Office Box 3105
Orlando, Florida 32801
Apply at http://cflorchidsociety.org/cfos/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Application-for-Scholarship.pdf.
12. Chicago Farmers Scholarship
Deadline: Contact institutional office
The Chicago Farmers has a long history of making awards to outstanding students enrolled in agricultural and life sciences degree programs at public institutions.
Applicants must attend:
• Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
• Purdue University Agriculture Department
• University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign – College of ACES
• University of Wisconsin at Madison College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
• Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation
• Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
Academic record and potential for positive contributions and leadership in agriculture have highest influence in selections.
Contact
Chicago Farmers Scholarship
Contact institutional department to apply.
13. Keystone International Livestock Exposition Scholarships
Deadline: March 15
The Pennsylvania Livestock Association sponsors this fund that makes annual awards of at least $1,000 each to help promising students pursue careers in the livestock industry. Annual competitions are also available that offer cash prizes for national and regional finalists.
Contact
Keystone International Livestock Exposition Scholarships
Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center
2300 N. Cameron St.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-9443
Phone: (717) 787-2905
Fax: (717) 705-9900
E-mail: kile@pa.gov
14. Dairy Farmers of America Scholarships
Deadline: January 15
Consistent with its belief that investing in future leaders is essential to ensure a brighter tomorrow for the industry, DFA makes numerous awards to students pursuing dairy careers.
Applicants must be currently attending or have previously applied to an accredited degree program and major in a dairy or related discipline. Most influential factors in award selections are passionate commitment to a dairy career as evidenced by three essay question responses, extracurricular activities and academic achievement.
Contact
Dairy Farmers of America Scholarships
Dairy Farmers of America
10220 N. Ambassador Dr.
Kansas City, MO 64153
Phone: 888-DFA-MILK
Email: webmail@dfamilk.com
15. Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships
Deadline: June 1
The DAA Foundation makes one-time annual awards of $1,000 each to aspiring female ranchers or farmers and agribusiness women.
Applicants must be a female farmer or rancher or the wife, daughter or close female relative of a farmer, rancher or agricultural worker. Candidates must also have financial need, agricultural knowledge or work history and be enrolled in courses related to agriculture and agricultural community needs. GPA and standardized test scores are also considered.
Contact
Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships
Ardath DeWall
Daughters of American Agriculture
11841 N. Mt. Vernon Road
Shannon IL 61078
Apply at http://www.americanagriwomen.org/files/AAWRC%20DAA%20Good%20Scholarship%20Application%20updated%202013_0.pdf.
16. Delmarva Farmer Scholarships
Deadline: March 1
American Farm Publications funds these scholarships via its annual golf tournament and plans to make five one-time awards of $5,000 to exemplary agriculture students in 2014.
Applicants must be residents of DE, VA, NJ or MD with a cumulative high school or college GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Contact
Delmarva Farmer Scholarships
Post Office Box 2026
Easton, MD 21601
Phone: 800-634-5021
17. Elizabeth Hiser Scholarship
Deadline: March 1
The Vermont Academy of Nutrition makes an annual award to assist a deserving registered dietitian expand knowledge of nutrition or food science.
Applicants must be Vermont residents but may attend an educational program or institution outside of Vermont.
Contact
Elizabeth Hiser Scholarship
CPI Chair-Elect
Cathy McIsaac, MS, RD
Fletcher Allen Health Care
204EN3
111 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05404
Email: Catherine.mcisaac@vtmednet.org
18. Farm Kids for Essay Competition
Deadline: March 6
National Farmers sponsors this annual event for high school seniors who plan to pursue accredited degrees in agriculture. Three national finalists are selected, each of whom receives a nonrenewable $1,000 award. Selections are based on two short essays about designated special topics.
Contact
Farm Kids for College Scholarship
Helene Bergren
Phone: 515-598-4670
Email: hbergren@nfo.org
19. First Choice Agricultural Scholarship
Deadline: February 17
1st Farm Credit Services makes 24 annual awards of $1,500 to graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in agriculture and related fields.
Applicants must be accepted by a postsecondary program in agriculture or a related field and reside or attend high school in an Illinois county listed at https://www.1stfarmcredit.com/about-us/scholarships/profile/first-choice-agriculture-scholarship.
Selections are based on academic record, brief essays and involvement in youth agricultural organizations.
Contact
First Choice Agricultural Scholarship
2000 Jacobssen Drive
Normal, Illinois 61761
Phone: (309) 268-0254
Email: kblatte@1stfarmcredit.com
20. Frank W. and Jeanette S. Peikert Scholarship in Biological Engineering and Agricultural Systems Management
Deadline: Contact institution
This fund makes annual awards in varying amounts to undergraduate agricultural and engineering students at Penn State.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled full-time with at least fifth-semester status as an undergraduate agricultural systems management or biological engineering major. Other eligibility criteria include superior academic achievement and demonstrated leadership ability, as exhibited by active involvement in Penn State’s ASAE branch or Agricultural Systems Management Club.
See also: 25 Great Scholarships for Engineering Majors
Contact
Frank W. and Jeanette S. Peikert Scholarship in Biological Engineering and Agricultural Systems Management
Office for Undergraduate Education
101 Ag Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-7521
Email: tsh102@psu.edu
21. Freehold Soil Conservation District Scholarship
Deadline: April 25
For 34 consecutive years prior to this writing, the Freehold, NJ Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors has helped students pursue careers in natural resources conservation. It plans to continue in 2014 with three awards of $2,000.
Applicants must reside in Middlesex or Monmouth County, be in junior or senior by the fall semester and major in natural resources conservation or a related field. Stated examples are agriculture, conservation studies, environmental science or education, geology, landscape design, soil science and resource management.
Contact
Freehold Soil Conservation District Scholarship
Freehold Soil Conservation District
4000 Kozloski Road
Post Office Box 5033
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: (732) 683-8500
Email: info@freeholdscd.org
22. Glenn Webb Education Fund/GROWMARK Foundation Agricultural Scholarship
Deadline: December 1
Regional agricultural cooperative GROWMARK makes annual awards of $1,000 to agriculture students in its service area. Applicants must be pursuing an agricultural or related degree from a community college in IL, IA or WI and active members of Future Farmers of America.
For more details, see http://www.growmark.com/OurCommitments/Pages/Scholarships-and-Awards.aspx.
Contact
Glenn Webb Education Fund/GROWMARK Foundation Agricultural Scholarship
GROWMARK
1701 Towanda Avenue
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 557-6000
23. Buckwheat Scholarship
Deadline: Contact institutional office
Named after the famous character in long-running 1930s television series “Little Rascals,” this fund makes annual awards in various amounts to African American agricultural students at Penn State.
Applicants must be majoring or planning to major in biological engineering, agricultural systems management or any program offered by Penn State’s Department of Plant Science. Financial need is also strongly emphasized as a mandatory criterion.
Contact
Buckwheat Scholarship
Office for Undergraduate Education
101 Ag Administration Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-7521
Email: tsh102@psu.edu
24. Horizon Organic HOPE Scholarship
Deadline: Contact sponsor
The first national organic dairy brand to assist future generation organic food leaders, Horizon Organic® has made annual awards of $2,500 to promising students since 2007. Applicants must be Horizon members or the children or grandchildren of an active Horizon member. Chosen recipients may reapply for multiple subsequent awards.
Contact
Horizon Organic HOPE Scholarship
Horizon Organic®
12002 Airport Way
Broomfield, CO 80021
Phone: 1-888-494-3020
25. Iowa Select Farms 4-H Scholarship
Deadline: Varies by program, contact sponsor
The Iowa Select Farms Foundation sponsors more than 100 annual awards for agricultural students in its home state. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 and eligibility criteria vary widely. Universal requirements include full-time enrollment in an agricultural degree or training program, Iowa residency and membership in 4-H Club of Iowa.
Contact
Iowa Select Farms 4-H Scholarship
Iowa Select Farms Foundation
P.O. Box 400
811 South Oak
Street, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
For the remainder of our list, see 25 Great Scholarships for Agricultural Majors (J-Z).
Filed under: Agricultural Scholarships
