Cargill, Kansas FFA Offer Students a "Genuinely Better" Scholarship Opportunity

Kansas FFA Foundation - July 29, 2008

Scholarship Program Provides Funds for Education plus Real-World Experience

Cargill and the Kansas FFA Foundation are working together to provide university students in Kansas a distinctive scholarship opportunity that includes real world experience and financial support for college.

The third annual Genuinely Better" scholarship program will award one $1,500 scholarship, three $1,000 scholarships, and two $600 scholarships to incoming college juniors and seniors majoring in an agricultural field and actively involved in improving their school, community and the agricultural industry. The recipient of the $1,500 scholarship will spend one week shadowing Cargill Meat Solutions' employees at the company's headquarters in Wichita, Kan. All scholarship recipients will spend one day on-site at Cargill Meat Solutions' headquarters or plant locations.

Last year, the Genuinely Better scholarship recipients shadowed Cargill Meat Solutions employees in its marketing, technical services, operations, cattle feeders and pork departments, meeting with business leaders and touring the company's culinary center and Dodge City meat processing facility. Dalton Henry, one of the 2008 scholarship recipients said, meeting with Cargill leadership was particularly beneficial for all of the college students.

"The leader of each business unit spent 30 minutes with us to talk about his or her career path, their day-to-day activities and the current agricultural industry in general. It was a great opportunity to network and increase our understanding about the company and industry," said Henry.

To apply for a scholarship, students must submit five copies of their resume, most recent university transcript, two letters of reference, and a 750-word essay highlighting an experience where the student has influenced an organization, group or community by making it "genuinely better." Applications must be received by the Kansas FFA Foundation no later than September 2, 2008. Students can mail applications to KSU College of Agriculture, Jackie McClaskey, Waters 119, KSU, Manhattan, KS 66506. Interviews to award the scholarships will be held in Manhattan on September 12.

More information about the scholarship program, including complete application guidelines, is available at www.ksffa.org.

About the Kansas FFA Foundation

The Kansas FFA Foundation supports the quality of agricultural education programs, rewards FFA members and advisors, and builds support from FFA alumni, parents, and friends. By developing and sustaining collaborative relationships that result in financial support and service opportunities, the foundation has established a vision to serve a purpose, give with passion, and grow the legacy. More information about the foundation is available at www.ksffa.org.