Monsanto Launches New Scholarship Program

Monsanto is launching a new scholarship program called America’s Grow Ag Leaders Program.  Elizabeth Vancil, Customer Outreach Manager at Monsanto Company:

“This is a new scholarship program that is offering high school and college students $1500 to further their education and keep them involved in pursuing agricultural careers.”

When many hear agriculture, they automatically think farmer.  Vancil explains that an agricultural career is not limited to production agriculture:

“The agricultural industry is so much more. There are thousands of careers in a variety of fields including scientists, technology experts, IT specialists, finance and business people. It is a booming career opportunity. According to the USDA approximately 25,000 agricultural jobs go unfulfilled because there are no qualified candidates to fill them.”

As Vancil mentioned, many ag jobs go unfilled, some of that is due to a lack of understanding of what ag has to offer, and some is the cost of college itself:

“The cost of college is on the rise. We are very excited to offer this scholarship that might make that cost just bit easier and allow someone to pursue higher education.”

Vancil explains that this is a pilot program, and North and South Carolina rural residents are eligible to apply:

“Students in both North and South Carolina are open to apply. We are looking to provide this opportunity to the rural counties. So we are awarding two scholarships by crop reporting district. The eligible districts are located at growagleaders.com .”

And to learn more:

“Please visit www.growagleaders.com and we are proud to be partnering with the national FFA organization and run the program in coordination with their national collegiate scholarship program. Students can apply at www.ffa.org/scholarships . In order to be eligible, each student needs a local farmer to endorse them. All of the details are outlined on our website.”

Customer Outreach Manager at Monsanto Company,  Elizabeth Vancil