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 AGRICULTURE
SCHOLARSHIPS
High school seniors pursuing an ag-related curricula or trade in a
college or vocational school next fall in pursuit of an on-farm or
industry career are invited to apply for a $2,500 Farm Credit
Illinois Agriculture Scholarship. Thirty scholarships will be
awarded in 2025 with two applicants of color designated “Diversity
in Agriculture Scholars.”
Recipients are selected based on a combination of participation and
leadership in school and community organizations, a genuine passion
for farming and/or agriculture, and commitment to an
agriculture-related career. Applicants must be high school seniors
enrolling in a college, university, or vocational school during the
2025 fall semester to pursue an agriculture-related academic major
and career. Applicants must reside in – or immediate family must
farm in – one of the 60 central and southern Illinois counties
served by FCI. Recipients will receive $1,250 for the fall 2025
semester and $1,250 for the fall 2027 semester.
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
Farm Credit Illinois also invites 4-H clubs and FFA chapters
organizing projects to apply for a $500 Community Improvement Grant.
Fifty $500 grants will be awarded to assist youth
members in bringing positive change to their local community. Clubs
should choose a project that delivers tangible value where the
outcome is visible. Farm Credit encourages collaboration with other
local organizations to develop and complete the improvement project.
Online applications for the scholarship and grant programs are
available at www.farmcreditIL.com and must be submitted by February
28. Questions or requests for additional information may be sent to
ask@farmcreditIL.com.
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Pictured above: Little Wabash Deer and Fawn 4-H members
“Investing in today’s youth is
essential to secure the future of the agriculture industry,”
says Kelly Hunt, FCI CEO. “Farm Credit Illinois’ Agriculture
Scholarship and Community Improvement Grant programs help
empower these young leaders with skills and knowledge to grow
and strengthen their rural communities.”
Farm Credit Illinois (FCI) is an agricultural
financial cooperative owned by 18,900 farmer, rural landowner, and
agribusiness voting stockholder members in the southern 60 counties
of Illinois. Dedicated to Helping Farm Families Succeed, FCI
provides competitive and flexible financing, crop insurance
expertise, and Rural 1st® country life lending. FCI manages a more
than $7 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.5 million acres of crop
insurance coverage, and employs 290 staff in the Mahomet
headquarters and 14 regional offices. The Association returned $40
million of 2023 earnings as cash patronage to member-borrowers in
2024. The U.S. Farm Credit System is a network of locally owned
cooperatives supporting rural communities, farm families, and
agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services
today and tomorrow.
[Rachel Hartman
Communication & Content Specialist]
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