Agriculture Future of America (AFA) supports academic development through partnerships with rural communities, agriculture organizations and colleges and universities. AFA offers financial support to students who plan to pursue a four-year degree in an agriculture-related field.
Currently, AFA offers access to five different scholarship programs. A brief description of each program is listed below.
AFA partners with rural communities to support local students preparing for a career in the agriculture and food industry. These scholarships are awarded locally through each partnership to graduating high school seniors planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related program. AFA defines communities as the geographic area where funds are raised and applications are accepted, which may be a single rural community, a county, a business service area or multiple communities. Scholarship deadlines vary from community to community. AFA Community Scholars are awarded a $3,200 academic scholarship and sponsorship to the AFA Leaders Conference.
Click here to find if a community partner exists in your area.
AFA awards general scholarships to graduating high school seniors enrolling in agriculture-related degree programs across the nation. (In 2012, there will also be an opportunity for college students to apply for an AFA scholarship through a partnership with Water Street Solutions.) Scholarships seek to identify young leaders in the agriculture and food industry to enter AFA leader development programming and receive an academic scholarship the second semester of freshman year. These AFA scholarships are a $2,600 award; $1,000 leader development award to attend the AFA Leaders Conference and a $1,600 academic scholarship upon successful attendance. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of career vision and goal, leader and community involvement, and financial need. Applications are typically due in March. Learn More
- In 2012, Water Street Solutions will provide five AFA Leader and Academic Scholarships to students from the following states: Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska and Ohio. These students will be identified through the general AFA Leader and Academic Scholarship application. Please fill out the general scholarship application and "check" the box that indicates you would like to be considered for a Water Street Solutions Scholarship. (There is NOT a separate application for this scholarship.) High school seniors, as well as current college students, are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Three letters of recommendation are required for this scholarship.
The William J. Collins scholarship was established to honor Mr. Collins upon his retirement from AgriBank, recognizing his many years of service. This scholarship is awarded to children of AgriBank district employees (Board of Directors excluded) who are graduating high school seniors planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an agriculture-related program. Applications are typically due in March.
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