By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

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

The scholarship recipients include:

  • Adam Vance, Tarleton State University;
  • Jocelyn Chavez, Tarleton State University;
  • Mckenna Sheedy, Sam Houston State University; and
  • Taygen Fromme, Tarleton State University.

“These four college seniors are passionate about teaching agriculture to the next generation of students,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said. “Agricultural science teachers in Texas are in high demand, and Farm Bureau is proud to help students prepare to fill those roles.”

College students from TFB member-families who are pursuing a degree in agricultural education applied for the $1,500 scholarship in the spring. The scholarship will aid the students in the fall semester during their off-campus student teaching experience.

TFB created the scholarship in 2018 to help students like Vance, Chavez, Sheedy and Fromme with financial expenses during the semester.

The scholarship was renamed the Mia Balko Student Teaching Scholarship in 2021 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.

“The semester of off-campus student teaching allows students to be in the classroom full-time and work side-by-side with a veteran ag teacher, learning hands-on how a classroom operates and helping prepare them for their future career as an agricultural science teacher,” Bush said. “We believe each of them will honor Mia Balko’s legacy and spirit as they begin their career in agricultural education.”

Many students must travel or move for their semester as student teachers. The scholarship helps support students financially.

“At Texas Farm Bureau, we hope to help lessen the financial burdens of the students’ who are preparing for their future in agricultural education,” Bush said. “Much of their time is devoted to their students and schoolwork, and these student teachers often do not have time for a job. This scholarship helps support students completing their student teaching requirement.”

Four scholarships will also be awarded in the spring to agricultural education seniors going into their student teaching semester in spring 2024.

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