Agriculture Scholarships for College

Agriculture Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Agriculture majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 17 active scholarships tied to Agriculture programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $50,750 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.

Early-Career Pay & ROI

Early-career median pay for Agriculture graduates is about $70,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 64% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.6 years (before taxes and living expenses).

Agriculture Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Agriculture scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

4-H Youth in Action Scholarship Program

The 4-H Youth in Action Scholarship Program is a premier leadership and scholarship opportunity designed to recognize outstanding 4-H members who are making a meaningful impact in their communities. This program highlights youth leaders who demonstrate excellence in areas such

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (38 min)
2

Oxbow Animal Health Nebraska High School Scholarship

The Oxbow Animal Health Nebraska High School Scholarship is an annual academic award designed to support graduating high school seniors from Nebraska who plan to pursue undergraduate studies related to animal health, veterinary medicine, or the companion animal industry. Sponsored

Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: High (113 min)
3

Oxbow Animal Health Undergraduate Scholarship

The Oxbow Animal Health Undergraduate Scholarship is an annual academic award designed to support undergraduate students who are pursuing careers connected to animal health, veterinary medicine, and the companion animal industry. Sponsored by Oxbow Animal Health, a company recognized for

Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: High (93 min)
4

W.D. Farr Scholarship

The W.D. Farr Scholarship is a prestigious graduate-level award administered by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation to honor the life, leadership, and lasting legacy of the late W.D. Farr of Greeley, Colorado. Established to recognize his extraordinary contributions to agriculture and

Award: $15,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
5

CME Beef Industry Scholarship

The CME Beef Industry Scholarship is a long-standing undergraduate scholarship program dedicated to supporting students who are committed to building careers within the beef industry. Introduced in 1989 through the Live Cattle Futures Contract of the CME Group, the scholarship

Award: $1,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: High (103 min)
6

Flavorful Futures Scholarship

The Flavorful Futures Scholarship is a national scholarship opportunity designed to support students who are passionate about careers in agriculture, food science, culinary arts, and related industries that contribute to America’s food system. Offered through the Get Schooled / Kaleidoscope

Award: $1,000 Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (88 min)
7

National FFA Scholarships

The National FFA Scholarships are part of the scholarship offerings provided annually by the National FFA Organization to support FFA members as they pursue post-secondary education, whether through vocational training, certificate programs, two-year degrees, or four-year college degrees. By submitting

Award: $500 Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
8

American Agri-Women Foundation Awards

The Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarship program honors the memory of pioneering women in agriculture and encourages current generations to pursue educational opportunities in agricultural fields. Two scholarships are available: Jean Ibendahl Scholarship: For women ages 18–23. Sister Thomas More

Award: $1,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
9

Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship

The Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship honors outstanding Iowa high school seniors who have actively participated in the Iowa State Fair. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, and community involvement. Eligibility Criteria: Residency: Must

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
10

Bob Richardson Legacy Scholarship

The Bob Richardson Legacy Scholarship is a career-focused award administered by the NGA Foundation to support students who are preparing for leadership and professional roles within the independent grocery industry. Established in honor of Bob Richardson, a respected advocate for

Award: $1,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Low (28 min)
11

Peter and Jody Larkin Legacy Scholarship

The Peter and Jody Larkin Legacy Scholarship is administered by the NGA Foundation to support students preparing for future careers in the independent grocery industry. This scholarship reflects the National Grocers Association’s commitment to fostering leadership talent, strengthening the independent

Award: Varies Deadline: May Est. Application Time: Low (28 min)
12

National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

The National 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest invites active 4-H Club members to submit essays on the topic of Varietal Honeys. The essay should address the following questions: What makes a varietal honey? What are some unique varietals? How are valuable

Award: $750 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (73 min)

Agriculture scholarships support students pursuing degrees in agribusiness, animal science, crop and soil science, horticulture, agricultural education, food science, agricultural engineering (and closely related fields). These awards come from national organizations, state agriculture groups, commodity boards, foundations, and universities—often with a strong emphasis on leadership, hands-on involvement, and career direction (not just GPA).

This page is built to help students quickly identify the right scholarships to apply for first, understand what agriculture scholarship committees actually prioritize, and strengthen applications with the types of experience that matter in the ag world (FFA, 4-H, SAE projects, county fairs, co-ops, internships, research, conservation work, and community involvement).

CollegeWhale Tip: Agriculture scholarship essays win when they’re specific. Don’t just say “I love agriculture.” Name the problem you care about (soil health, animal welfare, water use, farm profitability, food access), what you’ve done so far, and what role you want to hold in the industry.

Quick Match: Which Agriculture Scholarships Fit You Best?

Use this table to prioritize your applications. Then scroll for the strategy + category breakdown.

Your Focus Best-Fit Scholarship Categories What They Usually Emphasize
Agribusiness / Ag Economics Farm bureau scholarships, agribusiness associations, cooperative and bank scholarships, university business-of-ag awards Leadership, business interest, communication skills, career plan (sales, management, finance, supply chain)
Animal Science / Dairy / Poultry Commodity board scholarships, breed associations, livestock groups, 4-H/FFA livestock scholarships Production experience, animal care record, showmanship/SAE projects, industry involvement
Crop / Soil / Agronomy Agronomy societies, conservation districts, sustainability grants, university research awards Fieldwork, research interest, stewardship, data mindset, internships
Horticulture / Turf / Landscape Nursery & landscape associations, horticulture societies, local trade groups, department awards Portfolio of projects, work history, leadership, competition participation
FFA / 4-H Leaders FFA national/state scholarships, 4-H scholarships, local foundation awards, county/state fair groups Leadership, service, SAE depth, impact metrics, recommendations
Research / Graduate School Track Research fellowships, departmental research grants, conference travel awards, graduate assistantships Research readiness, writing clarity, faculty support, project proposal

What Are Agriculture Scholarships?

Agriculture scholarships are financial awards that help cover tuition and education-related costs for students preparing for careers in farming, agribusiness, agricultural science, food systems, and environmental stewardship. Depending on the sponsor, awards may target:

  • Specific majors: agronomy, animal science, ag education, horticulture, ag communications, food science, natural resources
  • Specific commodity areas: corn, wheat, soy, dairy, beef, poultry, cotton, specialty crops
  • Geography: state-based (Farm Bureau, FFA associations), county foundations, local co-ops
  • Student backgrounds: farm/rural students, first-generation students, underrepresented students, women in ag

Unlike many “general” scholarships, agriculture awards often reward industry involvement—projects, competitions, production experience, or community leadership tied to agriculture.

What Agriculture Scholarship Committees Look For

This is what separates “nice student” applications from “future ag leader” applications.

Score Area What Strong Applications Show Common Mistake
Connection to Agriculture FFA/4-H/SAE depth, farm involvement, internships, ag work experience, research participation Only saying “I’m passionate” without proof or specifics
Leadership Offices held, teams led, events organized, committees chaired, measurable outcomes Listing titles without describing what you accomplished
Service & Community Impact Projects tied to ag education, food access, conservation, youth mentoring, local ag support Generic volunteering that doesn’t connect to your goals
Career Direction Clear role target (extension, vet path, agronomy, commodity marketing, food science, management) Vague “I want to help agriculture” with no plan
Professionalism Clean resume, strong recommendations, organized application, on-time submission Rushed essays, unclear resumes, missing documentation

CollegeWhale Tip: The fastest upgrade: replace “I learned leadership” with one sentence of proof. Example: “Led a 12-student team to run a farm-to-school fundraiser that donated 1,200 meals.”

High-Impact Agriculture Scholarship Categories

Organize your scholarship list below using these buckets so users can find matches faster.

FFA and 4-H Scholarships

FFA and 4-H scholarships are some of the most common starting points for agriculture students. They often reward leadership, SAE/project depth, and community involvement, and can stack with local chapter awards.

  • National FFA scholarships and state FFA association scholarships
  • 4-H scholarships and county-level awards through foundations or extension groups
  • County fair / livestock show scholarships (often under-applied)

State-Based Scholarships

Many agriculture scholarships are state-focused and easier to win than national awards because the applicant pool is smaller. Common examples include:

  • State Farm Bureau scholarships
  • State commodity board scholarships (crop- or livestock-specific)
  • University college-of-ag scholarships tied to residency

Commodity and Industry Organization Scholarships

Commodity groups fund students who want careers tied to their sector—production, research, processing, or marketing. These can be highly targeted (and therefore winnable) if your experiences align.

  • Crop-focused awards (corn, wheat, soy, cotton, specialty crops)
  • Livestock-focused awards (beef, dairy, swine, poultry)
  • Trade associations (agronomy, food science, horticulture, ag communications)

University and Departmental Scholarships

Department scholarships are often the most reliable annual funding—and many receive fewer applications than national programs.

  • College of Agriculture merit awards
  • Major-specific awards (animal science, agronomy, horticulture, ag education)
  • Research and lab-based funding for students assisting with faculty projects

Scholarships for Women and Underrepresented Students in Agriculture

Many sponsors actively support expanding representation in agriculture—especially in leadership, research, and business roles.

  • Women-focused agriculture scholarships through foundations and industry groups
  • USDA and land-grant pathway programs connected to agricultural education and research
  • Diversity scholarships from state associations, universities, and national organizations

How to Win Agriculture Scholarships

Build a Strong “Ag Resume”

  • List projects (SAE, research, farm work) with measurable outcomes
  • Include competitions (judging teams, fairs, contests) and results
  • Show leadership progression (member → officer → lead)
  • Highlight work experience (co-op, feed store, nursery, farm, lab)

Write Essays Like a Future Professional

  • Name the area you’re focused on (ex: soil health, animal nutrition, food safety)
  • Explain what you’ve done so far and what you learned
  • State the role you want after graduation and why it matters
  • Use specific outcomes instead of generic passion

CollegeWhale Tip: Keep a simple master file with your resume, a 150-word bio, 3 short impact stories, and a longer essay. Most agriculture scholarships reuse the same core prompts—having these ready saves hours and improves quality.

Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols

Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.