Four $20,000 scholarships available for first time ever in 2012

California table grape growers are now offering four $20,000 four- year scholarships to students residing in the Coachella or San Joaquin valleys who are planning to study agricultural business, science, technology or a related field. The scholarships are available to seniors graduating in 2012 or to high school graduates.

The agricultural scholarships are available for the first time this year, a new addition to the California Table Grape Commission’s community outreach program, which also offers field worker scholarships and education grants.

“California’s table grape growers have offered table grape field worker scholarships for more than 25 years and grants to teachers for almost 20 years,” said Kathleen Nave, president of the commission. “The new scholarships complement those long-term investments and demonstrate a commitment to and belief in the future of California agriculture.”

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, April 20, 2012. Applications and more details are available at www.grapesfromcalifornia.com/agscholarship.