Scholarships

Scholarship Opportunity: Ohio Pork Council – due 1/9/2026

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OPC Scholarship Applications for the 2026/2027 school year are due Friday, January 9, 2026. Previous OPC scholarship recipients are eligible to re-apply during their college career. Please note that scholarship applicants must be an OPC member, or the child of an OPC member, to be considered. Sign up to become a member at ohiopork.org/become-a-member.

  1. Ohio Pork Council Scholarship awarded annually in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,000.  All applicants must meet the eligible requirements outlined in the OPC Scholarship Criteria.
  2. OPC Women Scholarship awarded annually for the amount of $500. All applicants must meet the eligible requirements outlined in the OPC Women Scholarship Criteria.
  3. Dick Isler Scholarship awarded one scholarship annually for the amount of $2,000. All applicants must meet the eligible requirements outlined in the Dick Isler Scholarship Criteria.

Apply Here: Scholarship Application

 

Tony Forshey Memorial Scholarship – The Ohio Pork Council in conjunction with the Forshey family is offering the Tony Forshey Memorial Scholarship, in honor of Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian, and dedicated swine practitioner, who passed away in 2021. This memorial scholarship is designed to assist the next generation of veterinarians, devoted to food production animals. All applicants must meet the eligible requirements outlined in the application. Completed applications are due no later than January 9, 2026. Apply Here: Tony Forshey Scholarship Application

Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships – due 10/31/2025

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Several college scholarships are available to industry youth through the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation. High school seniors or college students pursuing degrees in beef or agricultural related fields are encouraged to apply.  Applicants are only eligible to receive one scholarship per calendar year and should apply by Oct. 31. Scholarships will be awarded at the OCA Annual Meeting on Jan. 24.

Learn more and apply here.

Scholarship Opportunity: Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association (Deadline 1/15/2026)

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The Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association scholarship application portal is now open and youth can find more details and apply on-line at: go.osu.edu/FCCAscholar.

Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association

College Scholarship Application
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Information and Requirements
  • At least one $750 college scholarship will be awarded
  • High School Seniors and Undergraduate College Students attending both 2 and 4 year programs are eligible to apply. College schedule or other proof of college enrollment must be provided before scholarship is awarded.
  • Applicant or his/her parent/guardian must be a ‘Lifetime’ member of the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association at the time of application submission.
  • Applicant must have completed and exhibited a market beef, beef feeder, and/or beef breeding project for at least four years at an Ohio County and/or State Fair, either through 4-H and/or FFA.
  • Applicant must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Include HS and College transcript/advising report. You will have the opportunity to upload these at the end of the application.
  • Applicants are eligible to receive a total of four (4) FCCA Scholarships in a lifetime.

Scholarship Opportunity: Meat and Poultry Scholarships Available – Deadline 5/31/2025

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Passing along a scholarship opportunity shared with us by our partners at Bob Evans Farms in case you would like to pass along to your graduating 4-H members. Some deadlines approaching quickly.

Meat and Poultry Scholarships Available for Students.  

The Meat Institute is deeply supportive of education for students interested in a career in meat and food industries, including majors that are related to meat and food processing. In addition to the Meat Foundation scholarships, students should check out these additional scholarship opportunities to support funding their education. Deadlines and qualifications may vary.

Applications for all scholarships are processed online and are open to all undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Animal, Meat, Poultry or Food Sciences or enrolled in a Culinary Arts program or interested in a career in the meat industry and enrolled at an accredited university. Applications require department support, and a transcript must be uploaded at the time of application. The deadline for applying is May 31, 2025.

Scholarship Opportunity: Purina Animal Nutrition – due 4/17/2025

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The Purina Animal Nutrition Scholarship is here! They are awarding FOUR students $5,000 each to help further their education. Whether you’re a high school senior, recent graduate, or current undergrad with experience in livestock, equine, or poultry, this opportunity is for YOU! Don’t wait—apply now! The deadline is April 17th. Click here for more information.
May be an image of text that says 'APPLYFORASHARE APPLY FOR A SHARE OF $20, $20,000 000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THE- THE PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION SCHOLARSHIP - eligible high school seniors and college ndergraduates are encouraged to apply -Share with us how caring for and raising animals and livestock has shaped your perspective -(4) $5,000 scholarships to be awarded in 2025 Applications are open March 18 April 17 https:/ameloras Scan to learn more!'

Scholarship Opportunity: Cynthia Hayes – due 5/1/2025

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The Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON) and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) have partnered together to create a scholarship in memory of Cynthia Hayes, co-founder and former director of SAAFON. Cynthia dedicated her life to serving African American organic farmers in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Cynthia Hayes Scholarship
This year, three students (one graduate and two undergraduate students) will receive $5,000 scholarship awards each, along with opportunities to engage with sustainable agriculture advocates and practitioners. Applications open on March 27, 2025, and close on May 1 2025.

Scholarship eligibility requirements:
– This scholarship is open to students who self-identify as Black and/or Indigenous
–  Students should have an interest in grassroots organizing, movement building, or agricultural policy and a commitment to promoting racial equity in our food and farm system
– You must be a student in good standing (2.5 minimum GPA
–  PhD students are not eligible to apply

Find more information here

Source: OSU ACEL Nutshell – April 2, 2025

Scholarship Opportunity: Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) – due 4/15/2025

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  • This year, thanks to a grant from ACN’s Professional Improvement Foundation and an endowment from Lyle Orwig, ACN is offering two scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing careers in agricultural communications: the Dr. James Evans Scholarship ($3,000) and the Past Presidents’ Scholarship ($1,500).
  • To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must be members of the National ACT organization. If a local ACT chapter is not available for a student to join, the student may become an individual member of National ACT by emailing nact.treasurer@gmail.com and nact.president@gmail.com  expressing interest in becoming a member. National annual dues are $17.
  • Find more information here

Source: OSU ACEL Nutshell – April 2, 2025

Scholarship Opportunity: Dairy Farmers of America – due 6/6/2025

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As part of Dairy Farmers of America’s Mideast Area Council’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in the dairy industry, five $1,000 at-large scholarships are available for Mideast Area college students.

These scholarships are offered yearly to farmer-owners, their children and on-farm employees. There are no age or course of study restrictions. Students cannot have also received another DFA-sponsored scholarship including one offered through their college or university for the 2025-2026 academic year. Proof of acceptance or current college registration is required to be included with a completed application.

Applications must be postmarked by June 6, 2025, and can be downloaded from the Mideast Area section of the DFA farmer-only website, www.dfamilk.com.

The Southeastern African American Farmers’ Organic Network (SAAFON) and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) have partnered together to create a scholarship in memory of Cynthia Hayes, co-founder and former director of SAAFON. Cynthia dedicated her life to serving African American organic farmers in the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Source: OSU ACEL Nutshell – April 2, 2025

Scholarship Opportunity: Fairfield SWCD – due 3/31/2025

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The Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will offer up to three $1,000 college scholarships per year.

Applicants must be graduating from high school and be residents of Fairfield County. Home-schooled students are eligible as well. At the time of application, applicants must have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Applicants need to be pursuing a degree in the fields of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation or Environmental Education. Examples of some eligible degrees include: Agriculture, Ag Engineering, Aquatic Ecology, Biological Sciences, Conservation Planning, Environmental Education, Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Conservation, Soils, or Wildlife. Call the SWCD office if you have a question about your area of interest.

Eligible post-secondary institutions include technical colleges, two-year associates, or four-year bachelor’s degree programs. If you plan to attend something other than the above, please call the SWCD office to check on eligibility.

Scholarship Application– due to the Fairfield SWCD office by March 31. Applications can be mailed or emailed to scholarship@fairfieldswcd.org.

Scholarship Opportunity: Fairfield Foundation – due 3/7/2025

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With the preliminary review deadline quickly approaching on Friday, February 14, we’d like to offer a list of common mistakes that would make a scholarship application ineligible:

  • High school students must confirm that their counselors upload their transcript BEFORE the final deadline.
  • Student Aid Index (SAI): When uploading your 2025-2026 FAFSA information, make sure that your document shows your name, school year, and SAI.

You can find example documents and tips in the FAQs section of our website. Don’t wait until the last minute! You need time to request transcripts and if applicable, letters of reference. Some scholarships require additional information, which can only be viewed and requested AFTER you submit the general application portion.

Remember our preliminary review deadline is Friday, February 14 and our final application deadline is Friday, March 7, 2025. If you have any questions, please email Program Officer, Andrea Spires Drumm, at aspires@fairifeldcountyfoundation.org.

Source: Fairfield County Foundation Newsletter 2/5/2025