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The Rockbridge County Farm Bureau has announced its next round of scholarship and micro-grant programs to support youth interested in agriculture and agriculturerelated businesses.
The Clarence Tardy Scholarship is named in honor Clarence Leitch Tardy (19212006). Tardy farmed over 1,100 acres in Rockbridge County, served in leadership positions in the Rockbridge County and Virginia Farm Bureau, and served in the USDA under Presidents Ford and Regan.
This scholarship is available to high school seniors who have applied to a college, university, or vocational school with the intent of pursuing a degree in agriculture. This scholarship is available to students studying agricultural fields, including plant, animal or food science, agricultural engineering, botany, horticulture, silviculture, and other agricultural fields of study. The scholarship is for $1,500 for the first year and may be renewed for $500 in subsequent years. The scholarship will be applied to the applicant’s first semester tuition or on-campus housing.
The Taking Pride in Agriculture Scholarship is available to high school seniors who have applied to a college, university or vocational school with the intent of pursuing a degree in an agricultural- related field including agricultural equipment maintenance, agri-tourism, agricultural marketing, agricultural therapies, and fields that use agricultural products such as culinary arts and textiles. The scholarship is $1,000 for the first year. The scholarship will be applied to the applicant’s first semester tuition or on-campus housing. Applicants may apply for a $500 renewal of the scholarship after the spring semester.
The deadline for all scholarship and renewal applications is June 1. Scholarship decisions will be made at the July board meeting and announced immediately.
Now in its third year, the micro- grant program provides a grant of funds to selected applicants in Rockbridge County who wish to start or expand an agriculture, silvoculture, horticulture, or local business enterprise. Funds may be used to purchase livestock, equipment, education, or materials to further the project goals.
Youth in Rockbridge County aged 12 to 19 as of Jan. 1, 2025, are eligible to apply. The application asks participants to explain the goals, timeline and budget of the project and then to discuss how this project might grow into a continuing enterprise. A two-page status report on the project is required at six and 12 months after the award. Recipients are expected to attend the Rockbridge County Farm Bureau annual meeting, usually held in September, and present on their use of the grant. Applications must be received by the Rockbridge County Farm Bureau office by close of business on Jan. 10.
Applications for all programs are available at the Rockbridge County Farm Bureau office or by emailing Steve Hart at [email protected].
