
Scholarships
The TFC Foundation is committed to cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders by supporting scholarship opportunities at the state level. Our scholarships focus on empowering high school seniors and college students, particularly those involved in impactful youth programs like 4-H and FFA, by helping them access high-quality leadership and educational experiences. Through these three scholarship opportunities, we aim to strengthen the talent pipeline for our cooperative system and the broader agriculture industry.
Mission Statement:
The TFC Foundation will foster future generations of agricultural leaders, serve local communities, and support faith-based initiatives.
This scholarship is geared towards students who are involved in their local communities and showcase leadership in FFA, 4-H, and/or other agricultural organizations. Students who apply must be pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field while maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. This is a one-time scholarship that applicants may reapply for but are not guaranteed reselection.
Growing Leaders Scholarship
“foster future generations of agricultural leaders”
Requirements:
Involvement in youth leadership and/or agricultural organizations
Strong evidence of involvement in community service
Pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Applicants must also submit the following to be considered:
Academic transcripts
Essay response
Up to three letters of recommendation
This scholarship is open to applicants who are actively involved in production agriculture and pursuing at least a two-year degree or are enrolled in a trade school program. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and be a Co-op member themselves or have an immediate family with local membership. Our ideal recipients are those who hope to go into production agriculture to support our thriving farming communities. This scholarship is renewable for a second year as long as the GPA requirement is still met.
Local Red Cap Scholarship
“serve local communities”
Requirements:
Involvement in production agricultureStrong evidence of involvement in community service
Pursuing a two-year degree in agriculture or enrolled in a trade school program
Minimum GPA of 2.0
Must be a Co-op member or comes from an immediate family that’s a member
Applicants must also submit the following to be considered:
Evidence of doing consistent business with a local member Co-op
Essay response
Up to three letters of recommendation
This scholarship is open to applicants who are currently employed and have been for a minimum of three months, at least part-time, with a local member Co-op or Tennessee Farmers Cooperative. Students who are working while in school or previous interns are highly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field while maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA. After initial selection, applicants can reapply, but they must maintain part-time employment status.
Driven to Serve Scholarship
“and support faith-based initiatives”
Requirements:
Must have worked for at least 3 months and/or currently be employed for TFC or a member Co-op at least part-time
Must be pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field
Must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
Applicants must also submit the following to be considered:
Evidence of work experience with TFC or a local member Co-op
Academic transcripts
Proof of leadership and community involvement
Essay response
Up to three letters of recommendation
Application Process
Students should prepare the following before applying:
Essay response to your specific scholarship
Academic transcripts
Up to three letters or recommendation
Students should complete the corresponding application via these links:
Growing Leaders Scholarship: https://www.ourcoopfoundation.org/growing-leaders-scholarship-application
Local Red Cap Scholarship: https://www.ourcoopfoundation.org/local-red-cap-scholarship-application
Driven to Serve Scholarship: https://www.ourcoopfoundation.org/driven-to-serve-scholarship-application
Applications should be competed and submitted before November 15th. Incomplete applications or submissions after this date, will not be considered.
Scholarship selections should be announced mid- to late-February
Should you have any questions regarding the scholarship process, please contact us at scholarships@ourcoop.com.