Do you have a student searching for a way to pay for college? Is he or she considering a degree in the field of agriculture? The America's Farmers Grow Ag Leaders program has an opportunity for your student to earn a scholarship.

Agriculture is one of the top hiring sectors in the U.S., but few high school and college students currently intend to pursue a career in agriculture. In fact, according to a recent Purdue University research study, employers have nearly 60,000 job openings in agriculture each year, but only about 35,000 students graduate each year with a bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture

America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and administered by the FFA, is setting out to help students who want to fill those voids. Now through Feb. 1, students looking to pursue higher education in an agriculture-related field of study from a two- or four-year college program or trade school are eligible to apply for a $1,500 scholarship through the program.

This year, more than 350 scholarships totaling more than $500,000 will be awarded across 41 states, thanks to farmer endorsements of applications and support of the program. Scholarships are available for a variety of ag-related fields including farming, agronomy, education, science, technology, business, communications and more.

“The agriculture field provides many exciting and important career opportunities for today’s students, and we feel it’s important to support youth who are pursuing their studies in this growing and dynamic industry,” says Al Mitchell, Monsanto Fund president. “Through our America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders Program, with the support of farmers, we are raising awareness of ag-related careers and providing scholarships that will help develop future ag leaders.”

For more information about the program, rules and eligibility information, visit growagleaders.com or apply at ffa.org/scholarships.

Source: Monsanto Co.