Sep 17, 2024

Michigan ends apple queen program

The Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) is ending its apple queen program and replacing it with a scholarship system for men as well as women who are strongly connected to the Wolverine State’s apple industry.

The MAC board in August unanimously voted to eliminate the Michigan Apple Queen program .

Up to three recipients will receive $5,000 scholarships from MAC, announced annually at the Grower Luncheon scheduled during the Dec. 10-12 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Men and women with a strong and definite connection to the Michigan apple industry are encouraged to apply for the 2025 Michigan Apple Scholarship Program. The recipients will represent the Michigan apple industry for one year and must be the child, sibling, grandchild, or niece/nephew of a Michigan apple producer.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we have a great deal of respect for the queen program, a tradition that has carried on for decades. After much discussion, the board agrees it is time for us to move into the future, opening up opportunities for all students as an investment in the future of the industry,” Mike Dietrich, MAC board chair, said in a news release. “The scholarship program uses all the earmarked dollars for scholarship funds, a great benefit to the youth of the Michigan Apple industry.”

The scholarship program will be open to men and women, age 17-23, who have strong ties to the Michigan apple industry. Recipients will be asked to serve as industry ambassadors throughout the year, via social media and other communication channels.

In addition to the three $5,000 MAC scholarship awards, ChoiceOne Bank will continue its support of the program by committing $1,000 each to the scholarship recipients, for a total $6,000 in awards to each of the three recipients.

“ChoiceOne Bank is pleased to be a supporter of the Michigan Apples Scholarship Program.  We have a long history of partnering with many apple growers and understand the importance of educating our youth in this industry,” Kelly Potes, ChoiceOne Bank CEO, said in the release.

Declining applications over the course of the last decade also factored in making the change to the program.

“Interest in the queen program has been declining for years,” Diane Smith, MAC executive director, said in the release. “Our board is confident that adapting the program into a scholarship program for men and women will modernize the program and breathe new life and enthusiasm into the number of applications we receive, allowing for further investment in the future of the industry.”

Students interested in applying for scholarship must have extensive knowledge of the Michigan Apple industry, and will be required to write an essay and submit a short-form video as part of their application. Email a request to [email protected] to receive a scholarship application.

ChoiceOne Financial Services, Inc. is a financial holding company headquartered in Sparta, Michigan, and the parent corporation of ChoiceOne Bank. Member FDIC. ChoiceOne Bank operates 35 offices in parts of Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb, and Oakland counties.

The MAC is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world.