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

The $20,000 scholarship honors the former TFB president and his commitment and dedication to Texas agriculture.

“The late S.M. True had a special passion for agriculture,” said TFB President Russell Boening. “This prestigious scholarship in his memory seeks students who share that devotion. It is a fitting tribute to his leadership, positive attitude and spirit of optimism.”

Applications for this year’s scholarship are due March 21.

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. In addition, a completed application and two letters of recommendation—one from the county Farm Bureau president and one from the dean or head of the agriculture program department of the applicant’s college or university—are required.

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

True began his farming career with his wife, Anna Jean, in Hale County near Plainview. He grew cotton, wheat, feed grains and beef cattle and continued a keen interest in the farm and in agricultural issues until his death in 2012.

Click here for more information on the scholarship.