Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) has announced that applications for its annual agriculture scholarship and community improvement grant programs are now open, offering a total of $100,000 in funding. The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2025.
FCI is offering 30 Agriculture Scholarships of $2,500 each to high school seniors who plan to pursue agriculture-related studies or trades at a college or vocational school in the fall of 2025. Two of these scholarships are designated for applicants of color under the "Diversity in Agriculture Scholars" initiative.
The selection criteria include:
Participation and leadership in school and community organizations
A genuine passion for farming or agriculture
A commitment to an agriculture-related career
Eligible applicants must reside in or have immediate family farming in one of the 60 central and southern Illinois counties served by FCI. Recipients will receive $1,250 for the fall 2025 semester and another $1,250 for the fall 2027 semester.
"Investing in today’s youth is essential to secure the future of the agriculture industry,” said Kelly Hunt, CEO of Farm Credit Illinois. "Our Agriculture Scholarship and Community Improvement Grant programs empower young leaders with the skills and knowledge to strengthen their rural communities."
In addition to scholarships, FCI is offering 50 Community Improvement Grants of $500 each to 4-H clubs and FFA chapters. These grants aim to support projects that bring tangible, visible improvements to local communities. FCI encourages collaboration with other local organizations to maximize the impact of these projects.
Interested students and youth organizations can find the online application forms at www.farmcreditIL.com. Any questions or requests for additional information can be directed to ask@farmcreditIL.com.
About Farm Credit Illinois
Farm Credit Illinois is an agricultural financial cooperative owned by 18,900 members, including farmers, rural landowners, and agribusinesses in the southern 60 counties of Illinois. FCI provides financing, crop insurance expertise, and Rural 1st® country life lending. With a $7 billion loan portfolio and 1.5 million acres of crop insurance coverage, FCI returned $40 million in cash patronage to member-borrowers in 2024. The cooperative is part of the U.S. Farm Credit System, which supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable credit and financial services. For more information, visit www.farmcreditIL.com.