ISA Crop Sciences Scholarship Applications Available December 1

ISA Crop Sciences Scholarship Applications Available December 1

BLOOMINGTON, ILL – November 15, 2012 – Applications for the Illinois Soybean Association's (ISA) college crop sciences scholarships will be available Dec. 1, 2012.  The scholarships, which are funded through the soybean checkoff, support the education of future soybean scientists. Students entering their junior year at specific Illinois universities in the fall of 2013-14, and who meet the scholarship's requirements, are eligible to apply.

"ISA recognizes the need to develop the next generation of soybean researchers to fill key roles in education and industry.  This is one way to encourage the most promising students to pursue careers in crop sciences," says Rowen Ziegler, soybean farmer from LaHarpe, Ill., and chairman of the ISA Production Committee. This is the fourth year ISA has offered the scholarships.

Jarai Carter, student at the University of Illinois, is a previous recipient.  "This scholarship has allowed me to pursue my education without the worry of financial burden, which increased the focus on my studies," she says.  "The scholarship has allowed me to network with professionals and students. I also had the opportunity to work at the National Soybean Research Laboratory.  I was able to expand my creative and organizational skills by assisting with various marketing and data analysis tasks.  I am thankful for this scholarship and the doors it will help open for me."

ISA will offer up to 10 scholarships worth $4,000 each for the 2013-14 school year to students majoring in crop sciences at Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, University of Illinois

at Urbana-Champaign and Western Illinois University.  

All applicants must be current or transfer students beginning their junior year.  Students must plan to follow an agricultural course of study with a major in crop production or a crop science discipline, including breeding, biotechnology, plant pathology, weed management or crop management, with an emphasis on soybeans.  Recipients will be encouraged to find on-campus employment in soybean research, attend graduate school and choose a career in soybean research. Recipients also can reapply to receive another $4,000 for their senior year.

 Awards are based on exceptional academic ability, leadership and financial need.  The IAA Foundation administers the scholarship program. Guidelines, applications and an activities template will be available atwww.iaafoundation.org beginning Dec. 1.  Direct any questions to the program administrator at the IAA Foundation at 309-557-2230 or charms-garman@ilfb.org.  Completed applications must be postmarked on or before Feb. 1, 2013. 

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 45,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts.  The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education.  Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C.  ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit the website www.ilsoy.org.

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For more information, contact:

Amy Roady

roadya@ilsoy.org

 

309-808-3610

309-663-7692

618-535-7937

Dan Davidson

davidsond@ilsoy.org

309-808-3614

Barb Baylor Anderson

anderagcom@sbcglobal.net

618-656-0870