It's well known how much Americans love meat. You can't walk down a city street without seeing a burger or chicken fast food restaurant every minute! Because of this, the need for agricultural scientists specializing in livestock and other animal science is on the upswing. The ranks for this industry are expected to swell from 13,500 to 15,500 before the decade is over.
Of course, there is still the matter of financing a degree in animal science. While Pell Grants and other general programs are helpful, they usually don't cover it all. That's where a number of the largest agribusiness corporations and professional groups step in. They offer literally hundreds of awards to promising agricultural students, livestock specialists among them.
The Monsanto Corporation is such an example. It set up its "Ag Scholarship" for students of farming families who are planning to major in an agriculture-related degree program at accredited universities. The scholarships progra m awards $1,500 to 100 qualified students each year. Another major player in this field is the Future Farmers Association (FFA) who administers an amazing selection of livestock-related financial aid.
If you happen to live in the north central U.S., you should also look into the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association (MLBA) Scholarship. It is open not only to Minnesotans, but also students of both Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Iowa who also have been members of a 4-H or the FFA. It will provide these students with a scholarship good for $500 a year.
Another society open to junior members is the National Beef Ambassador Program. It provides a competition to students who produce the best presentation on beef as well as pass a question and answer period. If they pass, they can get a $1,000 scholarship as well as be invited to speak at future presentations. The CME Group & the National Cattlemen's Foundation also sponsor an essay writing contest. The top ten 750-wor d essays about beef will be awarded $1,500 each.
Members or for mer junior members of the Angus Foundation can also apply to the CAB/NJAA Scholarship. They must be studying animal science, meat science, food science, agricultural communications, or a related field of academic study. Qualified applicants will receive a $1,000 scholarship that can be renewed each year.
Beef isn't the only aspect of the livestock industry that offers scholarships. There is also the National Poultry & Food Distributors Association (NPFDA) Scholarship Foundation. It is open to all college juniors and seniors who are studying food science, poultry science, agriculture economics, international agriculture, food marketing, and related fields. They must also write an essay, provide academic transcripts, and fill out a FAFSA form. Qualified applicants will receive as much as $2,000 for their efforts.
With a little research, one can also find that similar funds have been set up for pork, fish, and even raising bees. The bottom line is if it is living and humanity eats it, more than likely, there are college scholarships available. These scholarships may also be applied toward online schools. After all, all one has to do is see all the fast food restaurants out there to see how needed livestock scientists are these days.
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