American Agri-Women has two college scholarships available

American Agri-Women provides two scholarships for farm, ranch or agribusiness women or their daughters, to pursue accredited courses in ag leadership, communications, rural sociology, medicine, or any other courses directly related to agriculture. Each scholarship is for $500, to be used for tuition.

The scholarships are provided through the Daughters of American Agriculture Foundation, created to honor the memory of those courageous and adventuresome pioneer women who played such an important role in the founding of this nation, and to encourage the present generation to continue their education in agricultural pursuits.

Funding for the foundation was provided by Jean and Calvin Ibendahl, who farmed near Tamaroa, Illinois, and from farm families around the country who pitched in "dollars for daughters."

The Jean Ibendahl Scholarship was initiated in 1991 by AAW member and educator Jean Ibendahl. It was later supported by a generous endowment of $10,000 by Jean and her husband Calvin. It is further maintained by donations by AAW member and affiliates. This scholarship is available to high school graduates and women aged 18-23.

The Sister Thomas More Bertels Scholarship was begun in 1991 to honor a founding mother of AAW.

Sister T. More Bertels was a history teacher at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wis.

She traveled the United States and Canada extolling the virtues of agriculture and empowering producers to realize their potential. This scholarship is available to women who are returning students in agriculture and are 24 years old or older.

An applicant must be a farmer, rancher or be the wife, daughter or other close relative of a farmer, rancher or other person employed in agriculture.

She must have knowledge of or work experience in agriculture and show an economic or financial need. Grade Point Average or placement on tests are considered.

Applications for each are due by June 1 of each year. A copy of the applications and the submission information may be found on the AAW Web site, www.americanagriwomen.org.