As part of its long-standing relationship with the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia Farm Bureau, Inc., recently endowed a scholarship to benefit students studying agriculture or forestry.
The West Virginia Farm Bureau Inc. Agriculture Scholarship will provide scholarships for West Virginia resident juniors and seniors in the WVU Davis College who are full-time students pursuing an agriculture or forestry major and have a 3.5 or higher grade point average.
An organization dedicated to strengthening agricultural communities across the state, West Virginia Farm Bureau strives to provide leadership, education, information, training and economic services to enhance its members quality of life.
“Like any organization, West Virginia Farm Bureau recognizes that to stay viable, we must look toward the future, and the role our organization’s members will play in feeding the people of our great state and nation,” said Joan Harman, director of public relations for the organization. “Today’s agriculture and forestry businesses require more technological and business expertise than ever before in order to be efficient and profitable. Farmers and foresters cannot stay in business if they cannot pay their bills; therefore, they need to take advantage of every opportunity at their disposal, beginning with a solid education.”
That type of education, she says, can be found in the WVU Davis College.
“We believe the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design can provide the leg up that successful farmers need,” Harman said. “We also feel it is important to send a message to students contemplating careers in agriculture and forestry that those are vital, valued professions that can provide a level of satisfaction and fulfillment unlike any other. Those careers also offer an opportunity for students to create their own destiny and remain in a state they love, to establish their roots and raise their families.”
The gift was made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $750 million comprehensive campaign being conducted by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University runs through December 2015.