Recipients of the National Corn Growers Association Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship program, sponsored by BASF Corporation, were announced last week at the 2008 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn.

“Given the high cost of a modern education, we believe that a scholarship program targeted to agriculture is one of the best ways to support future farmers, and we are happy to be able to help in this way,” Ken McCauley, NCGA Chairmen, said at the announcement.  “In this inaugural year of the program we generated a great deal of interest in the scholarship among our membership and at ag programs across the country.”

The five winners, culled from 80 applications received, are:

• Jason Buss, Bowen, Ill., who is majoring in agricultural engineering at the University of Illinois
• Lauren Schlosser, Chesterfield, Mo., who is majoring in animal sciences at the University of Missouri
• James Seitzer, St. Peter, Minn., who is majoring in agricultural business management at the University of Minnesota
• Catie Simpson, Ault, Colo., who is pursuing a Ph.D. in meat microbiology at Colorado State University
• Joshua Yoder, Plain City, Ohio, who is majoring in agribusiness and applied economics at Ohio State University

“American farmers are making great strides in crop production and today’s students will have tremendous opportunities in their future careers to contribute to the production of food and energy for the world,” said Adam Burnhams, marketing manager for BASF’s U.S. Crop Protection division. “BASF is proud to help American farmers meet those needs.”

“I was extremely flattered and honored by the ag community when I heard I won the scholarship,” Simpson said. “As a graduate student, there aren't a lot of scholarships that I'm eligible for. This is near and dear to my heart to be recognized by BASF and NCGA with this scholarship.”

Application information for the 2009 program will be released in fall 2008.