John J. Parsons Memorial Scholarship announced Posted on 9/19/2011
This scholarship is being awarded in memory of John Joaquin Parsons, a long time farmer from Ducor, CA. After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in agriculture business management, John returned home to farm and continue a custom harvesting business with his father and brother.
They grew dryland wheat on the rolling hills of the east side of the San Joaquin Valley and harvested grain for other growers from Fresno to Bakersfield. John branched out into vegetable seed harvesting, modifying grain harvesters to do the job.
John loved being a farmer and riding out the ups and downs of weather and crop prices. He also saw that fewer young people were taking the risk of entering production agriculture. It is hoped that the scholarship will be an incentive to join the next generation of farmers.
This scholarship is being offered to a current, full-time California university undergraduate student who is planning a career in production agriculture. Any student enrolled in a four-year college with a major in agriculture is eligible. Applicant will need to provide proof of enrollment, and be a U.S. citizen.
One $1,500 scholarship will be awarded annually by the Parsons family based on a written essay, two letters of recommendation, and a completed application. The California Grain Foundation will collect applications; after an initial screen of applications, finalists will be interviewed by the Parsons family. The final award decision will be made by the Parsons family.
The essay (no determined length) should detail the applicant's goals in agriculture and discuss why they want to go into production agriculture.
All materials must be submitted by October 15, 2011 to:
California Grain Foundation 1240 Commerce Avenue, Suite A Woodland, CA 95776
