Foothills Farm to Fork Trail Scholarship Program

Level: Four Year or Community College-bound graduating high school seniors.

Occurs: Annually
 

Applicants: Must also reside in Polk or Rutherford Counties and have the intention of pursuing a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in an agricultural-based or hospitality-based course of study. 

Award: Two $2,000 scholarships will be awarded each Fall – one for a student pursuing a two-year degree and one for a student pursuing a four-year degree. Degree and/or program pursuit must be in an accredited educational institution.

Application Deadline: Spring: April 1, 2024/ April 1, 2025

                                          Fall: November 15, 2024/ November 15, 2025

The Foothills Farm to Fork Trail is dedicated to supporting the education of future agricultural and hospitality professionals through two $2,000 scholarship awards each year. The first will be awarded to a graduating high school senior who is planning to pursue a an Associate’s degree in an agricultural-based or hospitality-based course of study. The second will be awarded to a graduating high school senior who is planning to pursue a an Bachelor’s degree in an agricultural-based or hospitality-based course of study. Degree and/or program pursuit must be in an accredited educational institution. 

To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must:
 

• Applicants must be college-bound graduating high school seniors.
• Applicants must reside in Polk or Rutherford Counties. 
• Award winners will be chosen by the Foothills Farm to Fork Trail (FF2FT) board of directors.
• Family/relatives of board members are ineligible for consideration.

  Applicants must provide an electronic copy of all documents below

 An essay of 500 - 750 words responding to one of the following prompts: 

1. What does agriculture in Polk/Rutherford County mean to you?  How has it shaped your life?
2. What are your educational and career goals? How do you feel agriculture in the region has shaped your goals?
3. What concerns do you have about agriculture and hospitality in our community and what ideas do you have to remedy those concerns?
4. How could you support and encourage local sustainable farming/agriculture with a farm to fork business in our rural community?

•  A copy of your current high school transcript 
•  Two letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, counselors, or local business, agricultural, or hospitality professionals
• A current photo or school photo for marketing purposes