News : Benton County SWCD offers two scholarships

The Benton SWCD Commissioners want to make eligible Benton County Seniors aware of two scholarship opportunities. Students are eligible for either of these scholarships if their planned course of study is in any of the fields of agriculture or natural resources.

The first scholarship is offered by the Conservation Districts of Iowa, a statewide organization of Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners. All Seniors in the state are eligible to compete for three scholarships offered; one for $3000, one for $2000 and one for $1500. In addition, winners from the other six regions who do not receive the state awards will each receive $500. All applications must be completed using the approved form, with no more than four additional pages. Please read the rules and instructions carefully! Applications are to be submitted to the Soil & Water Conservation District office in the county where the student lives by March 1, 2013. Local District Commissioners will select an application and forward it to the CDI Regional Director. Each Regional Director will select one application and forward it to the State wide judging team for final selections.

The second scholarship is sponsored by the Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners. Applicants must reside in Benton County. Applications must be returned to the District office by March 1 of each year.

You can request rules and application forms from the Benton Soil & Water Conservation District office at 319-472-2161, or there are fillable forms online at www.bentonswcd.net for both of these scholarships. If you have further questions, please contact the office.