house farm workers

Ellen Brokaw Scholarships

The Ellen Brokaw House Farm Workers! Scholarship is awarded each year to college-bound or current college students whose parents are farm workers in Ventura County. The scholarship is named in honor of Ellen Brokaw, founding chairwoman of House Farm Workers! A prominent member of Ventura County’s agricultural community, involved in production of lemons, avocados and nursery stock, she has been an inspirational leader in the long campaign to improve the lives of farm workers and their families.

House Farm Workers! will award three students, $3,000 each.

California Women for Agriculture (CWA) - Ventura County Chapter

VCCWA Annual College Scholarships

For many years, the VCCWA  has awarded scholarships to help fund the education of promising students planning to pursue careers in agriculture or agriculture-related fields. These scholarships are open to all students attending universities, junior colleges or trade schools. The Ventura County CWA awards multiple scholarships each valued at $1,000 to students each year.

Ventura County Community Foundation

Ventura County Agricultural Scholarship Fund

Awarded to a graduating senior from any Ventura County high school enrolling full-time in an accredited 4-year college or university as a candidate for an undergraduate degree OR to a currently enrolled Ventura County community college student transferring to an accredited 4-year college or university to attend full-time as a candidate for an undergraduate degree. Applicant must be a dependent child age 24 or younger of a Ventura County agricultural worker, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate financial need. Prior recipients may re-apply for consideration in successive years. Value: $700

California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA)

Stanley W. Strew Scholarship

One Stanley W. Strew scholarship opportunity is available for students interested in careers in the pest management industry. This scholarship is sponsored by the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) and administered by the Stanley W. Strew Educational Fund, Inc.

The CAPCA scholarship will provide $3,000 to a selected college student. The scholarship recipient will be selected by the Stanley W. Strew Board of Trustees.

-Applications are available for students who are currently attending college in an agricultural/horticultural related field or who are entering or returning to college in an agricultural/horticultural related field.

-Students attending junior or community college ARE eligible.

University of California, Agriculture and Natural resources

UC 4-H Youth Development Scholarships

The UC 4-H Youth Development Program is committed to promoting higher education. With help from donors, statewide scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors and college-attending students. 

The candidate for any 4-H scholarship must be:

• A high school graduate, or equivalent who is already enrolled in or accepted to an institution of higher education. Institutions of higher education include accredited vocational schools, colleges or universities.

• Enrolled in the UC 4-H Youth Development Program at the time of high school graduation or equivalent, such as receiving a General Education Diploma (GED)

• Enrolled or planning to enroll in at least half of the full-time course load as defined by the applicant's institution.

• Not older than 25 as of December 31st of the application year.

• Award: $1000 scholarship (multiple are available)

Applicants may apply for multiple scholarships but are only eligible to receive one scholarship per year. Previous scholarship recipients may reapply.

application deadline is no later than September 5th 2022

California Farm Bureau (CAFB)

Multiple scholarships available

The California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation was organized to give aid to students with a desire to pursue a career in the agricultural industry. Scholarships are awarded annually based upon academic achievement, career goals, extracurricular activities, determination, leadership skills and a commitment to study agriculture.

California Farm Bureau currently utilizes one application for all of the scholarships listed: Rustici Livestock and Rangeland Scholarship, The Curt & Joan Moran Scholarship, The Agricultural Lenders Society of California, California Farm Bureau Scholarships, Frederick J. Heringer Honorary Award, Carolyn S. Richardson Memorial Scholarship, Howard P. Wackman II Perpetual Memorial Award, and John H. Wiechman Memorial Scholarship.

Applications must be accompanied by the following items:

• High school transcript(s) (if this is your first time applying).

• Junior college transcript(s) (if applicable).

• College transcript(s) (if applicable).

• Two letters of recommendation. Letters must be dated within the last three months.

American Agri-Women

Multiple scholarships available

One focus of American Agri-Women Foundation is education both of young people and of AAW members. To this end the Foundation gives academic scholarships and first time attendee event scholarships. There are multiple scholarships available and you are encouraged to apply for all those you are eligible for.

American Agri-Women Helen Whitmore Memorial Convention Scholarship (deadline August 15th)

American Agri-Women Gail McPherson Fly-In Scholarship (deadline: May 1st 2023)

American Agri-Women Legacy Kids Fly-In Scholarships (deadline: May 1st 2023)

American Agri-Women Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships (application period January1st- March 1st)

The Garden Club of America

Multiple scholarships available

Since 1928 when the Rome Prize Fellowship in Landscape Architecture was established, The Garden Club of America (GCA) has funded more than 1,400 recipients. The GCA offers 28 merit-based scholarships, fellowships and awards in 12 areas, such as pollinator research, urban forestry, horticulture & related fields, garden history & design and botany. In 2021, over $300,000 was awarded to 61 scholars to support a variety of academic endeavors ranging from summer environmental study and fieldwork to graduate-level research. The GCA votes on the applications every March so apply before then.

Sullivan Supply

Youths passionate for livestock

Each year, Sullivan Supply offers 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to youth displaying a great passion for the livestock show industry and/or livestock production. Applications are due March 15th each year, and students can apply online starting January 1st where they can also download and mail a paper application.

Candidate must be a graduating high school senior or college student 21 years of age or younger; resident of the U.S. or Canada, and not a previous Sullivan scholarship winner. An agriculture major or a career goal in livestock is not a requirement but a continued future involvement in the livestock industry is.

Reiter’s Harvest Academy

Reiter Affiliated Companies established the Harvest Academy in 2018 to encourage students to pursue summer harvest employment opportunities, while at the same time participating in a hands-on educational curriculum that furthers their knowledge and understanding of sustainable farming and the future of agriculture today.

USDA Pathways Internship Program

The Internship Program provides paid work experience to students currently enrolled in high school or an accredited college or university (this includes Home-Schooling, Certificate Programs and Community Colleges). Interns may work during the summer, fall, spring, or year round.

ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program

This program provides on-the-job learning opportunities in sustainable and organic agriculture in the U.S. (and some in Canada) has been published since 1989 as a tool to help farmers and apprentices connect with each other.

ATTRA is a program developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). NCAT is a private nonprofit organization, founded in 1976, that manages a series of projects that promote self-reliance and sustainable lifestyles through wise use of appropriate technology. Its programs deal with sustainable agriculture, sustainable and renewable energy, energy conservation, resource-efficient housing, and sustainable community development. The majority of funding for ATTRA is through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (USDA-RBCS). They help implement the rural development mission of USDA. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for all rural Americans by providing leadership in building competitive businesses including cooperatives that can build sustainable economic communities.

Center for Land-Based learning

The Beginning Farm and Ranch Management Apprenticeship Program trains individuals for farm management jobs by providing practical experience, valuable skills, connections to farmer mentors, and an industry-recognized credential. The Program was developed to address California’s shortage of highly skilled workers to fill important farm manager positions. This program is a formal apprenticeship registered with the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards that combines paid on-the-job training with job-related instruction. The program requires at least 40 work hours a week and to complete 250 hours of coursework over the course of the 2 year program. Individualized coursework may include industry trainings, short courses, industry tours, conferences, field days, workshops, or community college and adult school classes.

Beginning Farmers

The Beginning Farmers is an all encompassing resource that includes everything from internships, apprentices, jobs, workshops, tips for starting a farm and information that is helpful to know.