By Julie Tomascik
Editor

Applications are being accepted through March 1 for the S.M. True Jr. Agricultural Scholar Award, a major scholarship offered by Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

The $20,000 scholarship honors S.M. True Jr., a former TFB president, and his commitment to agriculture.

“The late S.M. True was devoted to agriculture,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “This scholarship was created to recognize his passion and dedication and to highlight a college student who embodies those same characteristics. It is a fitting tribute to his leadership and lifelong interest in agriculture.”

Applicants must be a member of a TFB family with continuous membership for at least three years at the time of application.

The scholarship is presented annually to one recipient who has at least 60 hours of college credit and enrolled in a four-year college or university. To receive the full amount, the recipient must continue to major in agriculture and maintain a satisfactory grade point average.

Applicants must submit a completed application and two letters of recommendation—one from the county Farm Bureau president and one from the dean or head of the agricultural department of the applicant’s college or university.

Students are encouraged to apply at the end of their sophomore year for TFB’s most prestigious scholarship.

Applications are due March 1.

Applicants must create an account and register through the MyTFB Membership portal at my.texasfarmbureau.org. Once there, navigate to “My Registration” on the left side of the screen and select the 2024 Texas Farm Bureau Scholarships.

“This scholarship honors S.M. True’s legacy and helps one college student each year on their way to becoming a leader in Texas agriculture,” Boening said.

True farmed with his wife, Anna Jean, in Hale County. They raised cattle and grew cotton, wheat and feed grains. True maintained a keen interest in farm and agricultural issues until his death in 2012.

True served as TFB president from 1982 to 1993 and had a passion for improving the lives of his fellow farmers and ranchers. He believed Farm Bureau was the organization that best represented agriculture because of its grassroots orientation.

The scholarship was established by the TFB board of directors in True’s name in 2014.

Previous scholarship winners include:
2023: Bethany Martinek
2022: Clayton Elbel
2021: Riley Sloan
2020: Madison Ainsely
2019: Conner McKinzie
2018: MaKayla Arthur
2017: Shelbi Greaves
2016: McCalley Cunningham
2015: Lauren Thompson
2014: Kaylie Walker

Get more information on the S.M. True Jr. Agricultural Scholar Award at texasfarmbureau.org/scholarships.

Additional scholarships for high school seniors, enrolled college students and students pursuing technical degrees are also available on the scholarship webpage.

Contact youthoutreach@txfb.org or call 254-399-5037 with questions related to scholarships.