In 2017, the America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund in conjunction with FFA, will award more than $500,000 in scholarships to students looking to study ag-related fields, including farming, agronomy, education, science, technology, business, communications and more.

Farmers across the region are encouraged to spread the word by letting students know about the scholarship opportunity and to participate by endorsing student applications. In addition to providing scholarships, the America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders program is looking to raise awareness of the many varied career opportunities in agriculture.

Agriculture is one of the top hiring sectors in the U.S., but few high school and college students intend to pursue a career in agriculture. Recent research shows that 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.

That’s why the program awards scholarships to help develop the next generation of agriculture leaders. Students looking to pursue higher education in an agriculture-related field of study from a two- or four-year 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.

“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, president of the Monsanto Fund. “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 Fund