Kansas City, Mo., June 18, 2020 — AgriBank and Agriculture Future of America (AFA) have selected Caleb Kirchhoff and Molly Biggs for a unique scholarship program.
The William J. Collins Scholarship is part of the AFA Leader and Academic Scholarships program. It gives children of Farm Credit employees within the AgriBank District who are planning to pursue agricultural careers access to premier personal and professional development and financial assistance for their college education. This year’s two outstanding students are pursuing agriculture-related, four-year degrees and are passionate about the future of the agriculture industry.
Kirchhoff, of Kearney, Neb., attends the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and is majoring in agribusiness – banking and finance. After completing his degree, he will pursue a career in agricultural lending. Biggs, of Dixon, Ill., will begin her studies this fall at Kansas State University. She plans to double major in agriculture communications and animal science. After obtaining her degree, she will pursue a career in agriculture communications.
With a commitment to investing in each scholar’s leadership development, the scholarship program also includes sponsorship to the AFA Leaders Conference. The conference is AFA’s key leadership development event, providing soft-skill training and connecting students with their peers and industry professionals.
AFA will welcome over 800 students from across the nation Nov. 12-15 for the 2020 AFA Leaders Conference. College students pursuing careers in agriculture and food may apply for the conference until Sept. 14. The conference typically takes place in Kansas City, Mo. AFA plans to make a formal determination in July about whether the event will be held in-person or virtually this year. For more information about the conference, visit www.agfuture.org/conference.
WILLIAM J. COLLINS SCHOLARS
Caleb Kirchhoff, Kearney, Neb., University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Molly Biggs, Dixon, Ill., Kansas State University
ABOUT AFA
AFA builds bridges for young leaders to foster engagement and innovation in food and agriculture. With program participation increasing 28% in the last five years, AFA has provided 21,000 leader development experiences to college leaders and young professionals from more than 200 colleges and universities throughout 43 states since its inception in 1996. AFA has awarded more than $10 million in academic and leader development scholarships. For more information about AFA, visit www.agfuture.org or contact Megan Karlin at megan.karlin@agfuture.org
ABOUT AGRIBANK
AgriBank is part of the customer-owned, nationwide Farm Credit System. Under Farm Credit’s cooperative structure, AgriBank is primarily owned by 14 local Farm Credit Associations, which provide financial products and services to rural communities and agriculture. AgriBank obtains funds and provides funding and financial solutions to those Associations. The AgriBank District covers a 15-state area stretching from Wyoming to Ohio and Minnesota to Arkansas. For more information, please visit www.AgriBank.com.
CONTACT
Agriculture Future of America
Phone – 816-472-4232
Email – programs@agfuture.org
AgriBank Communications
Phone – 651-282-8609
Email – AgriBank.Communications@AgriBank.com