SCFB Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by South Carolina Farm Bureau Foundation

Description
**Purpose:** The South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation Educational Foundation awards scholarships each year to recognize former Farm Bureau leaders and to support students pursuing agriculture and related fields. These scholarships are designed to encourage leadership, civic engagement, and professional development in agriculture. Awards are intended for students from Farm Bureau member families or farm-oriented backgrounds who are advancing toward undergraduate degrees. Recipients are chosen by the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee under policies set by the Board of Directors.

Key takeaways
- Scholarships honor past Farm Bureau leaders and support agriculture-focused students.
- Awards target undergraduates pursuing agriculture or related majors.
- Emphasis on leadership, civic engagement, and career development in agriculture.

Eligibility
**Who qualifies:** Applicants must be members of South Carolina Farm Bureau families or come from farm-oriented backgrounds and be rising college sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled in an undergraduate agriculture or agricultural-related program. Farm Bureau membership is required for the applicant’s family. Eligible candidates should demonstrate character, leadership, and a continued commitment to agriculture or related fields. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Key takeaways
- Applicant must be from a South Carolina Farm Bureau member family.
- Eligible class standing: rising sophomore, junior, or senior.
- Must pursue an undergraduate degree in agriculture or a related major.

Award Value
**Amount per award:** Each scholarship is $3,000, paid annually to the recipient. The award is intended to provide direct financial support for undergraduate education costs in agriculture-related majors. The value of the scholarship is fixed at $3,000 per recipient for the academic year. Recipients should plan scholarships into their overall funding strategy rather than as sole support.

Key takeaways
- Each scholarship equals $3,000 annually.
- Funds are for undergraduate study in agriculture-related majors.
- Award is intended as supplemental financial support.

Number of Scholarships
**How many are awarded:** The Board of Directors determines the number of scholarships based on available funds. While the Foundation historically honors six leaders, the actual number awarded can vary; for the current year the Foundation is awarding 11 scholarships. The Board may change the number year-to-year as budget and donations permit. Applicants should check the current year’s announcement for exact availability.

Key takeaways
- Number of scholarships is set annually by the Board.
- Current year example: 11 scholarships awarded.
- Availability varies based on Foundation funding.

History of the Award
**Honored leaders:** The scholarships are named in honor of six past Farm Bureau leaders who made significant contributions to the organization and the Foundation. Those leaders are Robert R. Coker (first president), Edwin Hugh Agnew (second president), Harry S. Bell (fourth president), David M. Winkles, Jr. (fifth president), J. W. Warner, Jr. (board and affiliate company member), and C. B. Mitchell (board and affiliate company member). The naming recognizes their service and legacy in advancing agriculture and the Farm Bureau’s mission.

Key takeaways
- Scholarships honor six notable past Farm Bureau leaders.
- Names memorialize service and contributions to SC Farm Bureau.
- The awards carry a legacy focus as well as financial support.

Selection Criteria and Judging
**How winners are chosen:** Recipients are selected by the Scholarship Committee using scoring guidelines approved by the Foundation’s Board and membership. Applicants are evaluated on multiple dimensions, and incomplete applications will be disqualified. The Committee applies point-based criteria to rank candidates and make final award decisions.

Key takeaways
- Selection is by the Foundation’s Scholarship Committee.
- Applicants must submit complete applications to be considered.
- Evaluation follows Board-approved scoring guidelines.

Judging Breakdown
**Scoring categories:** The current judging guidelines allocate points across four components: college scholastic achievement, agricultural and community activities, applicant’s statement about career focus, and letters of recommendation. Each component assesses a distinct aspect of the candidate’s qualifications and promise in agriculture. Scores are tabulated to arrive at a ranked list of finalists.

Key takeaways
- Scholastic achievement: 35 points.
- Agricultural/community activities: 25 points.
- Student statement (career focus): 30 points.
- Letters of recommendation: 10 points.

Application Requirements and Formatting
**Submission format:** Applications must be typed and may be re-typed only if they match the original form length and include all questions in full. Minimum font size is 10 points and pages must have at least a ½-inch margin on all sides. Do not submit photocopies front and back; a missing photo or other required item will render an application incomplete. Once submitted, application materials become property of the SCFB Educational Foundation.

Key takeaways
- Typed applications only; re-typed forms must reproduce all questions and page count.
- Minimum 10-point font and ½-inch margins required.
- Do not submit front-and-back photocopies; applications become Foundation property.

Letters of Recommendation
**Reference requirements:** Applicants must attach at least one and no more than three letters of recommendation, preferably including a Faculty Advisor or similar academic reference. Recommendation letters should address character, leadership, and dedication to agriculture. An application without at least one reference letter will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Key takeaways
- Minimum 1, maximum 3 recommendation letters required.
- Prefer Faculty Advisor and include character and leadership evaluation.
- Missing reference letters disqualify the application as incomplete.

Essay Requirement
**Personal statement:** Applicants must submit a one-page (minimum) typed essay describing background, future plans, qualifications for the scholarship, and how their education will prepare them for leadership in agriculture, civic affairs, or public service. The essay should answer where the applicant expects to be in ten years and how they plan to impact agriculture. This narrative helps evaluators assess commitment and career focus.

Key takeaways
- One-page typed essay required, covering background and future plans.
- Explain leadership goals and 10-year career vision.
- Essay demonstrates dedication to agriculture and career focus.

Application Timeline and Submission
**How and when to apply:** Request the application form by email from the Foundation; completed applications must be mailed and postmarked by the April deadline preceding the academic year for which the scholarship applies. Mail applications to: South Carolina Farm Bureau Foundation, P.O. Box 754, Columbia, SC 29202-0754. Confirm the April deadline and any year-specific instructions on the Foundation’s current announcement before submitting.

Key takeaways
- Request form by email; submit completed application by mail.
- Deadline: April prior to the start of the scholarship academic year (confirm annually).
- Mail to South Carolina Farm Bureau Foundation, P.O. Box 754, Columbia, SC 29202-0754.