WABASH, IN (WTVB) – In its continuing effort to support youth pursuing careers in agriculture, North Central Co-op (NCC) will offer 11 college scholarships to high school seniors, including those in Branch County. Students receiving the scholarships are selected based on their commitment to agricultural youth programs and their desire to pursue higher education in either a four-year or two-year educational program.
“We strongly believe in encouraging and supporting youth already involved in agriculture who want to pursue further education,” says Mark Tullis, NCC CEO. “We need more young people who understand and appreciate American agriculture in every industry, not just agriculture. Helping offset some of the educational costs is just one way we are supporting the next generation of agriculture advocates.”
Selection criteria emphasize involvement in agricultural youth groups such as 4-H and FFA, children or grandchildren of current stockholders, patrons, or employees of NCC and students entering their freshman year of college or trade school in 2015. This is the 14th year of NCC’s scholarship program, which has provided more than $80,000 in scholarships to more than 50 students in various programs both inside and outside of agriculture.
In addition to the NCC high school scholarships, NCC is also offering the Darrell L. Smith Honorary Scholarship to a student who has achieved junior year status in an agriculture-related program and expresses a desire to pursue a career in agriculture.
“Darrell L. Smith, NCC’s past CEO, was a leader who embodied the community service and agricultural heritage that is rich in NCC’s history,” Tullis adds. “This scholarship is a way to honor his commitment to the co-op and to identify the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
Students interested in applying for these scholarships or learning more about the view the application below or contact David Smith at 800-992-3495 extension 279. Completed scholarship forms must be submitted on the NCC website on or before March 1, 2015.
Region 1 – Cass, Miami, Hamilton, Howard, Wabash, Huntington and Kosciusko counties in Indiana:.
Region 2 – Elkhart, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben and DeKalb counties in Indiana plus Michigan counties of Cass, St. Joseph and Branch:
Region 3 – Fulton, Marshall, Pulaski and St. Joseph counties in Indiana:
Region 4 – Newaygo, Oceana and Mason counties in Michigan
