FCI offers scholarships, grants
High school seniors pursuing a career in agriculture are invited to apply for a $2,000 Farm Credit Illinois Agriculture Scholarship. Twenty-four $2,000 scholarships will be given in 2017. Two of the recipients will be designated as Urban Agriculture Scholars.

Recipients will be selected based on a combination of academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and the applicant’s commitment to an agricultural career. Applicants must be high school seniors enrolling in a college or university during the 2017 fall semester to pursue an agriculture-related academic major and career. Applicants must reside in, or immediate family must farm in, one of the 60 central and southern counties in Illinois served by FCI.

Recipients will receive an initial $1,000 credit on their college student account for the fall 2017 semester, and an additional $1,000 will be paid in the fall 2019 semester to students who continue to pursue an agricultural degree.

Farm Credit Illinois also invites 4-H clubs and FFA chapters organizing projects to apply for a $400 Farm Credit Illinois Community Improvement Grant.

Up to 50 $400 grants will be awarded to assist youth members in bringing positive change to their local community. Clubs should choose a project that delivers tangible value where the outcome is visible. FCI encourages collaboration with other local organizations to develop and complete the improvement project.

New board members, directors at IFCA
The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association announced its 2017 officers and new board members at the association’s recent annual meeting and convention in Peoria. 

Three new board members were elected:
• Bryan Fairfull of M&M Service Co. in Carlinville
• Nate Todd of West Central FS in LaHarp
• Mike Harriss of WinField United in Trenton

The IFCA also announced its Executive Committee:
• Chairman Eric Gordon, Brandt, Lincoln
• Vice Chairman Regan Wear, CHS, Shipman
• Finance Officer Carl Kessler, Syngenta, Auburn
• Secretary Jeremy Maloney, Tri-County Chemical, Eldorado
• Member Jason Wesslund, Heritage FS
• Past Chairman Ryan Heldt, Dow AgroSciences

The IFCA represents the crop production input supply and service industry, including agricultural input retailers, chemical and fertilizer manufacturers, distributors, and farm equipment suppliers. A complete roster of IFCA board members and staff is available at ifca.com.