Agriculture scholarship applications due March 15

Between sports, clubs, volunteering, studying for the ACT and SAT, part-time jobs, chores at home and just plain homework, most Kansas high school seniors are working toward building foundations for their future. Soon the agricultural industry will need these vibrant young men and women to step up and take the reins for the future. For now, though, these students are making plans for college, and more importantly, how to pay for it.

High school seniors pursuing careers in agriculture are encouraged to apply for the 2019 Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship. The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 to honor Herb Clutter’s influential role in organizing leadership groups on behalf of Kansas wheat producers and is administered by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG).

The scholarship fund will award one $500 scholarship per year, to a college or university-bound incoming freshman from Kansas, pursuing a career in the field of agriculture. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must plan to be a full-time student at any two or four year, Kansas college or university. Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership qualities and career objectives focused around the field of agriculture. Recipients will receive the scholarship to be applied toward tuition for the student’s college or university education. The scholarship is non-renewable.

“KAWG is proud to support the young men and women who are the future of the wheat industry,” said Jordan Hildebrand, program assistant for Kansas Wheat. “We’re looking for students who are passionate about agriculture and not only excel in the classroom, but also in their communities and extra-curricular activities.”

The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established through a fund in memory of Herbert W. Clutter, a farmer from Holcomb and the first president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, which was established in 1948. Clutter encouraged Kansas wheat farmers to organize as a strong, unified voice, which led to the formation of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers in 1952. He encouraged research in education and industrial uses of wheat, improved variety development and methods to produce the best product at the lowest cost. Clutter’s efforts led to the formation of the Kansas Wheat Commission by the Kansas legislature, in 1957.

"Mr. Clutter's enthusiasm and leadership for the wheat industry serves as an excellent example for young adults as they take this next step in their lives," said Hildebrand. "We are honored to offer a scholarship in remembrance of Herb Clutter, and to share his passion for the industry and his community with future generations of wheat leaders."

Applicants of the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship must complete the scholarship application, which includes a 400-500 word essay discussing why they have chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. The selection committee will use this essay along with the student’s application in determining the scholarship winner. The scholarship and attached documents must be submitted to the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers at 1990 Kimball Ave, Manhattan, Kansas by March 15, 2019.

For more information about the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship, please go to http://kswheat.com/growers/500-herb-clutter-scholarship.