World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up for the sixth year to provide the "We Believe in Growing" scholarship, created to support agricultural education. High school seniors from Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties are encouraged to apply by Jan. 20 to be considered. Two $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who attend a four-year university to major in an agricultural field. The scholarships will be disbursed over four years at $2,500 per year.

"E.M. Tharp is dedicated to the young people in our Valley, we will continue to invest in their hopes and dreams to make them a reality," said Vester East, E.M. Tharp.

To be considered for the scholarship, students must: submit two letters of recommendation; one copy of their high school transcripts; ACT or SAT scores; and be graduating from high school during the 2011-2012 school year.

Recipients of the 2011 scholarship were Brianna Adams of Laton, California, and Colton Negus of Springville, California. Adams plans to attend California State University – Fresno and compete on the dairy show team. Her career goal is to teach agriculture. She comes from a dairy family, was active in her FFA chapter, earned numerous livestock awards and lettered in three sports. Negus plans to attend an agricultural school in California and become a dairy nutritionist. He was very active with the Porterville Junior Fair Board, raised show hogs and played baseball and football in high school.
Click here to download an application. Send completed applications to: International Agri-Center, "We Believe in Growing" Scholarship, 4500 South Laspina Street, Tulare, CA 93274. PD

—From World Ag Expo news release