Scholarship opportunities
The Cook County Farm Bureau® Foundation enhances the future of agriculture by providing a variety of scholarships to members, dependents and others seeking a major in agriculture, agribusiness, or an agriculturally related course of study with intent on an agriculturally related career. The CCFB Foundation is intent on supporting future generations to help assure a well-qualified, professional agricultural workforce in the Chicagoland area and Illinois.
Vocational Ag Career Training (Available year-round)
This scholarship has been designed for individuals and Cook County Farm Bureau members pursuing training in agriculturally related skills including tractor/truck diesel mechanics, CDL for crop, food and livestock hauling, welding, agricultural technology, etc.
Multiple scholarships valued at $1,250 are available for eligible candidates.
Adult Scholarships (Available year-round)
Available scholarships include reimbursement for:
- Master Urban Farmer Training
- Master Gardener Training
- Illinois Ag Leadership Program
- Ag Leaders of Tomorrow (ALOT)
For more information and to apply for an Adult Scholarship, please click here.
College Scholarships (Application window will open in December 2023)
Howard Paarlberg Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship: The top-rated applicant selected by the evaluation committee from the General CCFB Foundation Scholarship applicants will be named to this scholarship which carries the highest monetary value offered by the Foundation.
Value: $3,500
General CCFB Scholarships:
Intended careers may include Farming, Greenhouse, Agronomy, Horticulture, Aquaculture, Agribusiness/Management, Rural healthcare, Veterinary medicine, Nutrition/Food Science, Agriculture Education, Forestry or a number of other agriculturally related pursuits.
Multiple scholarships valued at $2,000 are available for eligible candidates
Stuenkel Family Scholarship: This scholarship has been designed for individuals and Cook County Farm Bureau members pursuing higher education with a focus on an agriculturally related career in the areas of technology, education, leadership development and/or mental health.
Value: $3,000
_________________________________________________________________
Recipients of the 2023 Scholarship Program have been announced...
The Board of Directors of the Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation have selected three individuals as recipients of the 2023 Scholarship Program. They are:
Elijah Floerke - *Howard Paarlberg Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship
Floerke attends Illinois State University and is majoring in Agribusiness. He plans to study abroad this summer in France to grow his knowledge of agriculture and to gain an understanding of the business side of ag. Elijah is the son of Jeff & Janelle Floerke of Orland Park.
Matthew Smits
Smits attends Purdue University and plans to graduate from the College of Agriculture with a degree in Horticulture with a concentration in production and management. He hopes to expand and improve the productivity and efficiency of his family farm after he graduates. Matthew is the son of Carl & Debra Smits of Sauk Village.
Amelia Niedbalec
Niedbalec will attend the University of Missouri with a major in Biology and will be exploring the field of agriculture. Amelia is the daughter of Mariusz Niedbalec of Mundelein.
A total of $9,000 of scholarship funds were distributed.
*Howard Paarlberg Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship
This scholarship is designed to honor Mr. Howard Paarlberg, the first President of the Foundation and President of the Farm Bureau for 16 years. The recipient carries the prestige of being the top-rated applicant and a greater financial reward for the individual.
The Cook County Farm Bureau Foundation was established by the Cook County Farm Bureau to carry out charitable, literary and educational work in Agriculture. The Foundation Board established the Agricultural Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to students pursuing education for agricultural careers and to encourage the best and brightest young minds to return to Agriculture as their chosen career.
related ag scholarships