August 28, 2017
A total of $107,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to 79 students under a scholarship program initiated by Florida Farm Bureau Federation.
Funding for the scholarships was derived from a 1998 Tobacco Settlement between state attorneys general and five major tobacco companies concerning the marketing of tobacco products. Thanks to Gov. Rick Scott and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, a small portion of the remaining settlement money available for Florida has been earmarked for the program.
“Tobacco production has a proud history in our state and we are using these settlement funds to give back to our communities,” Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick said. “We are pleased to offer scholarship support to the young people who will be making future contributions to our state’s economy and its quality of life.”
Current Florida flue-cured tobacco growers, former flue-cured tobacco growers and descendants of flue-cured tobacco growers are eligible to apply. Applicants were evaluated for classroom achievement, leadership skills and potential career success. The Tobacco Scholarship Program provides individual awards of up to $2,000.
For more information about Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Tobacco Scholarship Program, send an email to [email protected].