By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Four college students majoring in agricultural education were awarded the Fall 2024 Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

The scholarship recipients include:

  • Amanda Carroll, Sam Houston State University;
  • Johanna Leduc, Tarleton State University;
  • Blake McKenzie, Tarleton State University and
  • Sara Roark, Tarleton State University.

The scholarship, valued at $6,000, will provide financial assistance for the students in the spring semester during their off-campus student teaching experience.

“Off-campus student teaching allows students to be in the classroom full-time and alongside an experienced ag teacher learning hands-on how a classroom operates and preparing for their future career as an agricultural science teacher,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said.

Many students must travel or move for their semester as student teachers.

“At Texas Farm Bureau, we hope to ease the financial stress students face while preparing for their futures in agricultural education,” Bush said. “Much of their time is devoted to their students and schoolwork, and they often do not have time for a job. This scholarship helps support them while completing their student teaching requirement.”

TFB created the scholarship in 2018 to help students with financial expenses during the semester.

In 2021, the scholarship was renamed the Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship after the late Mia Balko, who was the associate director of Youth Outreach and administered the scholarship program for TFB. Prior to joining TFB, Balko was an agricultural science teacher for many years.

“We believe each of the recipients will honor Mia Balko’s legacy and spirit as they begin their career in agricultural education,” Bush said.

Four scholarships will also be awarded in December to agricultural education seniors going into their student teaching semester in spring 2025. Those applications will be available later this fall.

More information on scholarship eligibility can be found at texasfarmbureau.org/scholarships.