Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by American Agri-Women
Intro
The American Agri-Women (AAW) foundation offers two scholarships aimed at women connected to farming, ranching, or agribusiness who are pursuing accredited studies related to agriculture: the Jean Ibendahl Scholarship (for applicants ages 18–23) and the Sister Thomas More Bertels Scholarship (for applicants 24 and older).
Scholarship summaries
- Jean Ibendahl Scholarship (ages 18–23): Established in 1991 by AAW member and educator Jean Ibendahl of Tamaroa, Illinois, this fund was further supported by a $10,000 endowment from Jean and her husband, Calvin, and is sustained by donations from AAW members and affiliates. It is intended for recent high school graduates and women between 18 and 23 pursuing agricultural studies.
- Sister Thomas More Bertels Scholarship (ages 24+): Launched in 1991 to honor one of AAW’s founding members, Sister T. More Bertels — a history teacher at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, WI, who traveled across the U.S. and Canada promoting agriculture and encouraging producers — this award supports returning students in agriculture who are 24 years of age or older.
Award amount and use
- Each scholarship provides $1,000.
- Funds are designated for tuition only.
- An individual may receive either scholarship only once.
Eligible fields of study
Scholarship money may be applied toward accredited courses directly related to the needs of agricultural communities, such as:
- Agricultural leadership
- Technology and communications
- Rural sociology
- Education
- Medicine
- Other courses with a direct connection to agriculture and rural community needs
Who may apply
Applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a farmer or rancher, or be the wife, daughter, or a close relative of someone who farms, ranches, or is employed in agriculture.
- Demonstrate economic or financial need.
- Show knowledge of or work experience in agriculture.
- Provide academic evidence — GPA or placement test results will be considered.
Application materials and deadlines
- The application window opens January 1 and applications must be submitted by March 1 of each year.
- Three signed and dated letters of reference must accompany the application.
- Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Selection and notification
- Scholarship decisions will be posted on the AAW website (www.americanagriwomen.org) no later than June 1 of the current year.
- Only selected recipients will receive direct personal notification.
After receiving the award
Recipients are asked to send a brief statement describing how the scholarship benefited them to foundation@americanagriwomen.org.
Questions or confirmation of details can be directed to the AAW foundation via the email above or by visiting www.americanagriwomen.org.