High school seniors pursuing a career in agriculture are invited to apply for a $2,000 Farm Credit Illinois Agriculture Scholarship.

Thirty scholarships will be given in 2018 with two recipients designated as Urban Agriculture Scholars. Recipients are selected based on a combination of academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and the applicant’s commitment to an agricultural career. Applicants must be high school seniors enrolling in a college or university during the 2018 fall semester to pursue an agriculture-related academic major and career. Applicants must reside in – or immediate family must farm in – one of 60 central and southern counties in Illinois served by FCI. Recipients will receive $1,000 for the fall 2018 semester and $1,000 for fall 2020.

Farm Credit Illinois also invites 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters organizing projects to apply for a $400 Community Improvement Grant.

Fifty $400 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 Feb. 28. Questions or requests for additional information may be sent to ask@farmcreditIL.com.

“Farm Credit was created with one special mission – to support rural communities and agriculture – and that extends beyond financial services,” says Tom Tracy, FCI President & CEO.

“The Agriculture Scholarship program promotes positive opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders who will shape the future of agriculture while the Community Improvement Grant program helps local clubs and chapters make positive and tangible contributions to the health of Rural America.”

Farm Credit Illinois is a farmer-owned and -directed agricultural lending cooperative serving 11,000 farm families, agribusinesses, and rural landowners in the southern 60 counties of Illinois with competitive and flexible financing and crop insurance expertise. The Association manages a $4.2 billion loan portfolio, sells 1.4 million acres of crop insurance coverage, and employs 220 staff based in the Mahomet central office and 14 regional office locations. The U.S. Farm Credit System supports rural communities, farm families, and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services today and tomorrow.