The Freeborn County Corn & Soybean Growers is joining forces with Agriculture Future of America to support an agricultural scholarship program. 

AFA is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting higher education and leader development of future agriculture producers and rural business leaders, according to a news release. Founded in 1996, AFA works to create partnerships in rural communities where agribusinesses, educational institutions, government agencies, associations and individuals raise funds for agriculture scholarships and promote leader development.

AFA leverages the community fundraising efforts by soliciting corporations and foundations to provide financial resources to match the community dollars. Since 1997, AFA’s partnerships have awarded more than $7.5 million in academic scholarships, provided leader training to 9,000 students and young professionals.

AFA’s objective is to work with communities to create scholarships for high school graduates entering college in the agricultural field.

A local committee has been formed to support the partnership with Freeborn County Corn & Soybean Growers Association. AFA will match raised community funds. The AFA Leader and Academic Scholarship is $4,200, consisting of a $3,200 academic scholarship. The additional $1,000 will sponsor the Freeborn County recipient to the AFA Leaders Conference in Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 6-9.

Eligibility requirements for the Freeborn County Community Scholarship include any high school seniors enrolling in an accredited college of agriculture. They must be a resident of the Freeborn County. The scholarship application is available at your high school or can be accessed online at www.agfuture.org/communityscholarships. Applications are due by March 3, 2014.

For additional information on AFA and the Freeborn County Community Scholarship program, contact Dan Erickson at 507-874-2781.