The Farm Bureau Foundation of Sonoma County will award nearly $30,000 in scholarships this year to deserving students studying agriculture or an agriculture-related field at a four year college, junior college or vocational school. The foundation’s mission it to encourage young people tor rewarding careers in agriculture. Last year, there were 25 applicants for the scholarships administered by the Farm Bureau Foundation. All of the applicants were top students, excelling in academic, leadership and community service achievements. Farm Bureau Foundation thanks the individuals, organizations and businesses funding this year’s scholarships. The financial assistance will help prepare a new generation for the challenges of agriculture in a rapidly changing world.
 

2009 Sonoma County Farm Bureau Scholarships

Sunrise Egg Farms Scholarships
$8,000 in scholarships for four-year-college and SRJC students majoring in agriculture,
poultry or closely related vocational field.

Clover-Stornetta Farms Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship to Sonoma-Marin student for the study of agriculture,
preferably dairy science.

Park Avenue Turf Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarlship to a Sonoma County student for the study of agriculture,
preferably horticulture.

Vineyard Industry Products Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship to a Sonoma County student for the study of
agriculture, preferably viticulture.

American AgCredit Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship to a Sonoma County resident, preferably studying agribusiness.

Isolena Maestretti & Bernice Beretta Memborial Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship to a Sonoma or Marin student for the study of agriculture,
preferably dairy science.

Mark Furusho Memorial Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship to a Sonoma County student for the study of agriculture, preferably viticulture.

Sonoma - Marin Young Farmers & Ranchers Scholarship
Two $500 scholarships. (Applicants must be residents of Sonoma or Marin County.)

Farm Bureau/Redwood Coast Petroleum Scholarship
One $500 scholarship. (Applicants must be residents of Sonoma County)

North Coast/California Association of Pest Control Advisors
One $500 scholarship. (Applicants must be residents of Sonoma County)

All of the above scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors, transfer students from Santa Rosa Junior College or continuing college students who have or will have a major in Agriculture or an Ag related field. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 required.

Bob & Leslie Kunde Scholarship
$10,000 Scholarship with $2,500 awarded annually over four years to a student studying agriculture or agriculture- related field. The award is based on involvement and enthusiasm for agriculture, work ethic, leadership, sportsman-like conduct and overall achievement.

Applicants must be a Sonoma County high school senior or enrolled at a junior college or four year university. Applicants must have been a member of the 4-H or FFA and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. The student must take at least 12 units per semester and maintain a 2.5 GPA to receive the scholarship funding each year.

The applicant must write and submit a one page essay on the topic: Why is it important to preserve agriculture in Sonoma County?

Royal Petroleum “Flying A” Scholarship
One multi-year scholarship, paying $500 a year for up to four years of continuous study available to graduating high school seniors. Applicants must be residents of Sonoma or Marin County.
Minimum grade point average 2.25.

Sonoma Marin Cattlewomen and Cattlemen Mona Chisholm Memorial Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship. Applicants must meet the following criteria: Must have graduated from high school in Sonoma or Marin County. Must have participated or been a member of FFA or 4-H or other related agriculture group. Minimum grade point average 2.25.
 

• For Continuing and transferring students from the Santa Rosa Junior College and high school seniors transferring to the SRJC or four year college or university. The Royal Petroleum Flying A Scholarship and Sonoma-Marin Cattlewomen & Cattlemen Scholarship are for graduating seniors only.
• Students carrying at least 12 units (or 9 units while employed in an agricultural or agricultural support occupation) under the above criteria. Proof of enrollment is required before dispersal of funds.
• Students must be majoring in Agriculture or an Agriculture related field to qualify.
• Neither the students nor their parents need to be Sonoma County Farm Bureau members, nor engaged in the production of agriculture. The Royal Petroleum Scholarship. Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers and Ranchers and Sonoma-Marin Cattlewomen & Cattlemen Scholarship are open to students residing in Sonoma or Marin Counties.
• Completed (typed) scholarship application must be turned in by 5:00 pm, Friday, April 24, 2009 to Sonoma County Farm Bureau at 970 Piner Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95403. (Postmarks will not be accepted)
• A personal statement of no more than two typed pages (double-spaced) indicating why you are pursuing your desired agricultural career and life goals must accompany this application.
• Two letters of recommendation written within the last six months must accompany this application. They must include the applicant’s name and may not be written by a parent or close relative.
• A copy of your transcript (accumulative and current) must accompany this application. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 required.
• All scholarship finalists will be required to participate in a formal interview with the committee. All interviews will be held at the Sonoma County Farm Bureau on May 7-8, 2009.

Wilson Winery Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship
Scholarships of $400 to $2,000 will be awarded to children of Sonoma County vineyard workers.
Scholarships are open to high school seniors continuing their education and to students who
are already attending a junior college, four year college, trade or technical school. The only requirements are that the student be at least a high school senior, a resident of Sonoma County and the child of a vineyard worker.

Wilson Winery in Healdsburg provides these annual scholarships because it believes the children of Sonoma County vineyard workers should not be limited by financial hardships in their pursuit of educational opportunities. This year Wilson Winery will award more than $10,000 in scholarships
to deserving students.

Applications are now being accepted for the unique scholarship program established in 2001 by Ken and Diane Wilson, owners of Wilson Winery, to assist vineyard workers’ children in their pursuit of higher education.

• Applications are due by 5 p.m. April 10, 2009.
• Mail completed application and verification to:
  Wilson Winery
  P.O. Box 1610
  Healdsburg, Calif. 95448
  Attention Antoine Favero

Further information is available by contacting Tim Tesconi, 707-544-5575
or ttesconi@sonomacountyfarmbureau.com

2008 Scholarship Winners

	Sunrise Egg Farms $1,000 Scholarship Alina Amaral		Sunrise Egg Farms $1,000 Scholarship Katherine Conley
	Sunrise Egg Farms $1,000 Scholarship Kate Camozzi		Isolena Maestretti Memorial $1,000 Scholarship Taylor Serres
	Park Avenue Turf $1,000 Scholarship Anne McIsaac		American AgCredit $1,000 Scholarship Jeannette McClure
	Sonoma County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen $1,000 Scholarship Bobby Mickelson		Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers and Ranchers $500 Scholarship Shannon Kelley
	Sonoma-Marin Young Farmers and Ranchers $500 Scholarship Tucker Chorjel		Royal Petroleum Flying “A” $2,000 Scholarship Jennifer Beretta
	Redwood Coast Petroleum $500 Scholarship Jim Moreda		North Coast-California Pest Control Advisors $500 Scholarship Jessica Clark

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