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New granting program for students who are studying organic agriculture in vocational, two year, and four year degree programs. Details found here: http://www.ccof.org/ccof/structure/ccof-foundation/future-organic-farmer-grant-fund Julie Cotton, M.S. Academic Specialist Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Michigan State University A264 Plant and Soil Science Building East Lansing, MI 48824 [log in to unmask] 517-355-0271 ext. 1156 undergrads: www.safss.msu.edu grads: www.effs.msu.edu *************************** Vocational and Higher Education: Grants for students to study organic agriculture nationally $2,500 grants available for at least 10 individuals Applicants must start or be currently enrolled in their program within the 2014 calendar year (applicant must be able to prove acceptance and/or enrollment) Program must be a vocational or higher education certificate or degree program* Student must clearly demonstrate how the program will benefit their career of organic production or becoming an organic professional Applications must be submitted online by midnight June 13, 2014. Late applications will not be considered Awards will be made public in July 2014 Students can be any age Students can be full time or part time Weight will be given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds Grants are intended for use for fees and tuition only and will be paid directly to the school or program Vocational and Higher Education Grant Application Instructions: The Vocational and Higher Education Grants will be accepted through an online application software. When you reach the home page, please choose "Create New Account." You will then be asked to fill out a number of text boxes to create your account. Where it asks for your "Organization Name," please fill out your name. Where it asks for your "Organization Email," please fill in your email. Ignore the request for an EIN and a website. On the third page of the registration, you will be asked if you are the Organization’s Executive Officer, please answer yes. When you get to the "Application Page" please choose the CCOF & UNFI Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund Vocational and Higher Education Grant. *We at the CCOF Foundation realize that there are ever increasing opportunities to study organic agriculture. We also realize that these programs may not fit into the traditional categories (such as college or university programs) set up by many grant funds. Therefore, the Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund will make grants to students attending a program that fits into one of three categories: Vocational training/certificate programs: Six-week to two-year technical hands-on training/apprenticeship programs focused on agricultural production. Examples: California Farm Academy, University of Vermont Farmer Training Program, Michigan State Organic Farmer Training Program, The Farm School (Massachusetts), Veterans Sustainable Agriculture Training (California) Junior college/two-year degrees: Colleges offering courses for two years beyond high school, either as a complete training or in preparation for completion at a four-year college. Examples: Organic Agriculture Technician Certificate, Bristol College (Massachusetts), Sustainable Agriculture Associates of Science Degree, Santa Rosa Junior College (California), Agroecology Associate of Science Degree, Northwest College (Wyoming) Bachelor’s/four year degrees: Degree programs at a college or university in undergraduate studies. Examples: Organic Agriculture Systems, Washington State University, Organic and Sustainable Crop Production, University of Florida, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, UC Davis (California) For further examples of all types of programs, please see the National Agricultural Library’s 2012 listing of Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture.