The Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council will be awarding seven deserving students $1,000 scholarships. Applications for the Missouri Corn Scholarship Program are now available for high school seniors and college juniors pursuing a degree in agronomy or a related area of agriculture.

"Corn production is constantly evolving. Today's agriculture requires more technology, better management and strong science," says Matt Lambert, Missouri Corn Scholarship chairman and a farmer from Brookfield. "This program helps us prepare students for success as future leaders in the industry."

SCHOLARSHIP MONEY: Missouri Corn Growers is making scholarships available to high seniors and college juniors looking for financial aid for college expenses. Applications are due April 15, 2017. (Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

High school senior applicants must be Missouri residents, from a Missouri farm or rural area. They must plan to attend a two- or four-year Missouri college or university, and major in agronomy or an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the freshman year of college expenses for high school winners.

College applicants must also be Missouri residents, from a Missouri farm or rural area, and currently a junior enrolled in a Missouri four-year college or university majoring in agronomy or an agriculture-related field. The scholarship funds will apply toward the senior year of expenses for college winners.

Missouri Corn Scholarship applications are available for download at mocorn.org under the "Resources" tab. Interested students can also call the Missouri Corn office at 800-827-4181 to request an application.

Students must submit an application form, official high school or college transcript and at least one letter of recommendation to the Missouri Corn office by Feb. 10 to be eligible. Upon selection, all recipients must assist in staffing one of the following Missouri Corn events to complete the scholarship requirements: golf tournaments, clay shoots, fairs, conferences or other events designated by Missouri Corn.

Applications will be reviewed by the Missouri Corn Scholarship Committee, and recipients will be notified by mail on or before April 15. This is the twenty-first year Missouri Corn Scholarships have been available. To learn more about Missouri Corn programs, visit mocorn.org.

Source: Missouri Corn Growers Association