Crop SciencesPursue a Career in

Begin the Application Process

The IAA Foundation administers the scholarship program. Guidelines, applications and an activities template are available at www.iaafoundation.org, beginning December 1, 2015.

Please direct any questions to the program administrator at the IAA Foundation. You may call 309-557-2230 or email smoore@ilfb.org.

Completed applications must be postmarked on or before February 1, 2016. ISA leaders will interview finalists. Successful scholarship recipients will be notified by May 1, 2016.

Funded by the Illinois soybean checkoff.

Illinois Soybean Association 1605 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington, IL 61704309-663-7692 • ilsoy@ilsoy.org

2016-17 Illinois Soybean Scholarship Program

Matt Turner – Illinois State University 2015-16 “Thanks to the ISA crop science scholarship, I will be able to focus on learning agronomy and be able to partake in something bigger than myself by helping Illinois soybean farmers produce better yields, conserve soil and water and more efficiently grow crops.”

Allison Thornton – Western Illinois University 2014-15 “Being awarded this scholarship was an honor. I would recommend to anyone with an interest in crop science to apply for it because it helps put you closer to your goals. I work with soybeans now at a company research facility, and I am majoring in agricultural science. After I graduate, I

plan on going into a career where I can do crop research.”

Ethan Balding – Southern Illinois University Carbondale 2015-16 “Receiving the scholarship is a great honor for more than just a monetary value but for the industry contacts that I will receive. Other students should apply for this scholarship because of the great opportunities it opens up within the study of the crop science,

which is an ever changing and extremely interesting area of study.”

Are you considering a career in crop sciences?Illinois soybean farmers would like to partner with you to explore soybean research opportunities while helping fund your education.

The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), with funding from the soybean checkoff, is offering up to five scholarships worth $4,000 each for the 2016-17 school year. Scholarships are awarded to students majoring in crop sciences at one of the state’s four agriculture universities:

• Illinois State University (ISU)• Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)• University of Illinois (U of I)• Western Illinois University (WIU)

“We see a surge of interest among young people pursuing agriculture careers. Crop sciences is one of the fields that needs talented students who will work in soybean research and development,” says John Longley, soybean farmer from Aledo, Ill., and chairman of the ISA Production Committee. “Providing scholarships is an investment in the future of our business, and we

hope more young people will consider crop sciences as careers.”

To be eligible, all applicants must be students beginning their junior year in 2016-17 or transfer students enrolling in one of the participating schools as a junior:

• Students interested in applying must plan to follow an agricultural course of study with a major in crop production or a crop science discipline, including breeding, biotechnology, plant pathology, weed management or crop management, with an emphasis on soybeans.

• Recipients will be encouraged to find on-campus employment in soybean research, attend graduate school and choose a career in soybean research.

• Awards are based on exceptional academic ability, leadership and financial need.

• Awardees are eligible for a two-year scholarship with renewal the second year based on successful reapplication and meeting all renewal requirements.

Choose from Wide Range of Fields• Weed Science• Entomology• Plant Diseases• Plant Breeding and Biotechnology• Soil Fertility and Crop Husbandry• Private, Public and Government Research

Scholarship Winners Find Value in Program

Seth Tolley – University of Illinois 2015-16 “I am grateful, honored and blessed to be a recipient of this prestigious award. In addition to the generous monetary value, I look forward to enjoying the ISA scholarship for its networking and career-enhancing experiences. I hope to work as a plant breeder after graduate school.”

Danielle Cooney – University of Illinois 2014-15 “Receiving this scholarship will help me create a direct connection with leaders in the soybean industry. This will provide opportunities that can lead to further development of my and other students’ dreams, and can lead us to make worldwide positive impacts through the opportunities

and schooling we are able to receive with this support.”

Gavin Urish – University of Illinois 2015-16 “Receiving this scholarship is an honor and an opportunity to fulfill my goals with a career in crop sciences. Having worked internships the past few summers in both crop protection and seed sales, I have seen the results of ISA in their direct support of research, development and

promotion of the soybean industry. I am excited and motivated by all the new technology the industry is offering.”

Zachary Benson – University of Illinois 2015-16 “My goal is to become part of the seed production industry, where I can work to support and expand the agricultural industry to provide more efficient, sustainable and higher producing crops for farmers across the world. Agriculture is a fundamentally crucial component to our society, and ISA’s support of Illinois farmers, students and soybean production is extremely important. Agriculture plays a role in all of our lives, and organizations such as ISA work to make the industry more efficient and sustainable to ensure a prosperous future for all of us.”

Josh Viggers – University of Illinois 2015-16 “The ISA Crop Science Scholarship is a true blessing. It has opened academic and networking opportunities that are stepping stones for my future career in agriculture. This scholarship will not only benefit myself, but also the soybean growers of Illinois.”

Rachel Vaessen, University of Illinois 2015-16 “This scholarship is helping me achieve my career goal of being an agronomist and working to become a Certified Crop Adviser in the future.”