Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation offers more than $70,000 in scholarships

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation has more than $70,000 in scholarships available to Ohio students from rural, suburban and urban communities who are pursuing degrees connected in some way to agriculture.

Through 10 programs, approximately 50 scholarships will be awarded. The deadline to apply online at ofbf.org/foundation is Feb. 28 and all applications require letters of recommendation, an essay, school transcripts and photos.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Scholar award recognizes students for academic effort, community service and career interests that use agriculture to enhance the partnership between producers and consumers in rural, suburban and/or urban settings.

• The foundation’s Women’s Leadership in Agriculture Scholarship Program is awarded to applicants who may not be majoring in agriculture directly, but whose chosen career field will benefit a field related to agriculture or community development such as food production, scientific research, education/outreach, marketing, policymaking, advocacy or leadership development.

• The Darwin Bryan Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 in honor of Darwin R. Bryan. The scholarship fund assists students who have been active in the Farm Bureau youth program and/or whose parents are Farm Bureau members.

• The Cindy Hollingshead Scholarship Fund was established in 2011. The objective of the scholarship fund is to assist students who plan to pursue careers focusing on agriculture, community service or association leadership.

In addition, the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation is offering four new scholarship opportunities this year:

• The Richard & Carole Cocks Scholarship is intended to recognize those students who come from those areas that provide so much through farming. This scholarship will award annually four scholarships of $2,500 to deserving students from select rural Ohio counties. Each scholarship award is renewable for up to four years and a total of $10,000 per student.

• The Ohio Horsemen’s

Benevolent & Protective Association Scholarship The Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association is a nonprofit trade association representing 2,500 thoroughbred owners and trainers who race at Ohio’s three commercial Thoroughbred race tracks. The objective of the scholarship fund is to assist students who plan to pursue careers focusing on food or agriculture.

• The Dr. David A. Benfield Scholarship Fund was established in 2019. The scholarship is specifically for students in livestock and crop sciences at ATI. The purpose of this scholarship fund is to provide $1000 to students entering their second year at Ohio State ATI that are enrolled in livestock and crop related majors.

• The Joseph Kelly Memorial Scholarship was established in 2018. The Joseph Kelly Memorial Scholarship is an annual, merit-based competition that focuses on rewarding students pursuing degrees related to agriculture.

For information about the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation, contact Luke Houghton at 614-246-8254.