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"Agriculture is more than just the farm," Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation President Jack Fisher said. "New professionals need to be trained and new leaders need to be developed." Students pursuing any one of a variety of careers that can impact communities through agriculture are invited to apply for assistance through two scholarship programs supported by the Foundation.

The Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee established an endowment for the new Women’s Leadership in Agriculture Scholarship Program. "There are many career opportunities in agriculture today, and you do not need to be enrolled in a course of study directly focused on traditional agricultural production to get involved," Foundation Director Dale Arnold said. "We need scientists, educators, marketers and advocates. Last year’s recipients were involved in scientific research, communications and community development work. None were directly enrolled in an agriculture school, but each discussed how their career plans would impact the industry and people around them."

The Women’s Leadership in Agriculture Scholarship Program invites women from rural, suburban and urban neighborhoods who are pursing career goals that can impact our community through any aspect of agriculture to apply. A minimum of three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

The Darwin Bryan Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 in honor of Darwin R. Bryan whose enthusiastic leadership during his 37 years of service to the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation has been an inspiration to rural youth throughout Ohio. The scholarship fund assists students who have been active in the Farm Bureau youth program and/or whose parents are Farm Bureau members. Two to four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.

"Over the past several years we have seen students involved in Farm Bureau programs carry their experiences to the next level, " Arnold said. "Some have obtained a degree for accredited agricultural courses of study, and some have pursued careers outside the industry. Alumni from the program now pursue careers in government service as teachers, lawyers and other professions.

Additional information, eligibility requirements and application forms for both programs are available at www.ofbfoundation.org. Farm Bureau membership is a requirement for the Darwin Bryan Scholarship. The application deadline for each program is March 1.