World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp Inc. presented the "We Believe in Growing" scholarship to two graduating seniors from the Central Valley.

Brianna Adams of Laton, Calif., plans to attend California State University, Fresno, and participate on the dairy show team. Her career goal is to teach agriculture. She comes from a dairy family, has been very active in FFA, has earned numerous livestock awards and lettered in three sports.

Colton Negus, of Springville, Calif., plans to attend either California State University, Fresno; Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo; or California State University, Chico. His career goal is to become a dairy nutritionist. He has been active with the Porterville Junior Fair Board, he raises and shows hogs and plays baseball and football.

Adams acknowledged E.M. Tharp and World Ag Expo for "giving back to our youth and giving us the opportunity to advance in agriculture. The way to promote agriculture is through education."

 "We are happy to help our students as they strive to reach their goals, both in school and as they enter their careers," noted Casey Tharp, E.M. Tharp Inc.

Graduating seniors from Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties with plans to attend a four-year university were eligible to apply for the scholarship.

The 44th annual World Ag Expo 2011, Tools for Agri-Business, will run Feb. 8-10 at the International Agri-Center show grounds in Tulare, Calif. An estimated annual average of 100,000 attendees from 72 countries are expected to attend World Ag Expo this year. The expo is the largest annual agricultural show of its kind with 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of show grounds.