Photo: ASA President Wade Cowan presents the SOY Scholarship award to Maria Kuhns, during the annual ASA awards banquet at the 2015 Commodity Classic. Photo Credit: Joe Murphy.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is looking to present a scholarship award to a high school senior interested in pursuing agriculture in college.

The Secure Optimal Yield (SOY) Scholarship is a $5,000 one-time scholarship award presented to a high school senior who plans to pursue agriculture as an area of study at any accredited college or university in the 2016-17 academic year. The scholarship is managed by ASA and is made possible through a grant by BASF Corporation. The deadline has been extended and interested applicants can apply now through Nov. 30, 2015.

“ASA is happy to once again partner with BASF to offer this opportunity to an exceptional student pursuing a career in ag,” said ASA First Vice President Richard Wilkins, Greenwood, Del. “It’s imperative that we encourage today’s young people interested in agriculture and help them achieve their goals in any way we can.”

The scholarship is presented in $2,500 increments per semester. The student must be a child or grandchild of a current ASA member, maintain successful academic progress and be in good standing with the college or university to receive the full amount of the scholarship.

Final selection will be made the first week of December during the ASA Board meeting. The student will be notified prior to an official announcement made during Commodity Classic in New Orleans, La. on March 4, 2016.

“BASF considers the ASA to be our partners in preparing the next generation of agriculture professionals,” said Neil Bentley, director of marketing, US Crop, BASF. “This scholarship program is a way to reward students who excel in their studies, and it encourages them to learn more about careers in our industry.”

BASF sponsors the winner and one parent to attend Commodity Classic to participate and receive special recognition at their booth on Thursday and the ASA Awards Banquet on Friday.

More information is available here.