OFB & Affiliates, YF&R to award college funds
Nine $1,000 ag scholarships available to high school seniors
Oklahoma’s next generation of agricultural leaders have an opportunity to further their agriculture education with nine $1,000 scholarships offered by Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies and its Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.
"Rural America has witnessed how difficult it has been to keep young people in their communities, and once they have gone, how hard it is to draw them back," said Chuck and Francie Tolle, chairmen of the OFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. "Oklahoma Farm Bureau has also seen the trends and believes in the future of our rural communities. By investing in these scholarships, we are investing in a piece of that future."
The nine scholarships, representing all nine Farm Bureau districts, will be awarded to graduating high school seniors planning to further their education in an agricultural field. Each recipient must enroll full time at an accredited Oklahoma institution of higher learning in an agricultural program and must remain in good standing for the duration of the scholarship. Applicants must be a member of a Farm Bureau family holding a voting membership in the state’s largest farm organization. Children of paid employees of Oklahoma Farm Bureau & Affiliated Companies are not eligible for the scholarships.
"As the world population continues to increase, our industry will find ways to become more efficient in meeting the growing demands placed upon it," the Tolles said.
"Our colleges and universities are on the cutting edge of new technologies which will be a part of our farming practices. We must encourage our young people to take advantage of these learning opportunities as they grow into their role in the industry."
Scholarship applications are available at county Farm Bureau offices across the state and must be returned by April 15, 2003. Completed applications may be mailed to Oklahoma Farm Bureau YF&R Scholarship, Attention: Marcia Irvin, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.
