By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) is now accepting applications for the 2025 S.M. True Jr. Agricultural Scholar Award through March 3.

The $25,000 scholarship honors former TFB President, S.M. True Jr., and his commitment to agriculture.

“This scholarship was created as a tribute to the late S.M. True Jr. and his devotion to agriculture,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “S.M. True Jr. embodied the values of Texas Farm Bureau. Through his legacy, a college student with the same passion and dedication is recognized and highlighted.”

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

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.

Four finalists will also be selected and receive a $5,000 scholarship.

“This scholarship honors S.M. True’s legacy and helps encourage college students in becoming leaders 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. 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:
2024: Luke Bludau

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

Applications are due March 3.

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 2025 Texas Farm Bureau Scholarships.

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.