Just like with any other industry, agriculture must always be looking for and cultivating the next generation of leaders. While production is the main driver of this industry, there are so many opportunities for skills to be utilized off the farm as well. Support services for the Ag industry are almost innumerable. Mechanics, engineers, programmers, financial advisors, insurance, and much more. The one thing that all these industries have in common is the need for proper training, and that can be an extremely high bill.
Since 2015, one organization has been working with farmers to help eligible students obtain scholarships to build their education in the agriculture industry.
Bayer, through the work of the Bayer Fund, has invested almost $60 million back into the rural communities they serve. One of the programs they use is the America?s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders program. This program works with farmers to award scholarships to students who are going to be pursuing a field of study related to agriculture.
Erin Glarner is the Grow Ag Leaders Program Manager. She talks about the work that the Bayer Fund has done in the past few years.
Students who are enrolling in any kind of post-secondary education program are eligible. It does not matter if you are going to a trade school, community college, or traditional two and four-year universities, the program is designed to help students with a $1,500 scholarship. This year Glarner says that the Bayer Fund will be handing out 350 scholarships, totaling $500,000. Garner runs down the criteria to apply.
To apply, students can visit their website at Americasfarmers.com. The deadline to apply is coming up fast. Students have until January 14th to submit their applications. Farmer endorsements must be completed by January 21st.
Continuing an education that you can bring back to help your family?s operation or bring back to your community as a support industry member, is vital to growth and success of the Ag industry and rural America as a whole.
