Dec 14, 2015

IFTA providing scholarships for young growers

The International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) Young Grower Scholarship Program was started in 2013 to encourage young fruit tree growers to attend the association’s educational events.

IFTA is securing sponsor support to provide scholarship/registration defrayment for its annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Feb. 6-13.

Applicants to the Young Grower Scholarship Program are asked to:

1. Submit an outline of their vocational aspirations in the area of tree fruit production. Forms are available on the IFTA website or by emailing [email protected]

2. Provide a short description of how their participation in this event will help them professionally and provide opportunities to contribute to their goals in the industry

3. Attend the Intensive Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 6, Full Annual Conference from Sunday through Wednesday and the IFTA Awards Banquet on that Monday evening.  Registration total for those three events would be $739. You are also welcome to register for additional tours if you want.

4. Attend a reception prior to the Awards Banquet sponsored by American Fruit Grower.

5. Assist with workshop, conference, banquet and tour events.

Qualifications

1. Applicants must be employed by a company/farm that is a 2016 member of IFTA.

2. Scholarship amounts range in value depending on sponsorships received.

3. Those who have received a scholarship to previous events are eligible to apply again.

4. Recipients will be notified shortly after the deadline so they can finalize travel plans.

5. If you have already registered for the conference, you may still apply and if awarded you will be given a refund of that amount.

Applications are reviewed by a committee of IFTA directors and university Extension educators, and a portion of registration and/or travel costs is defrayed for scholarship recipients to attend.

Recipients of the scholarship program are also asked to share their experiences, impressions and thoughts about the IFTA Annual Conference and the Young Grower Scholarship program in a short article submitted for the Compact Fruit Tree.

For more information, contact Rick Dungey at the IFTA office: [email protected], or 636-449-5083.