Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 scholarship program that provides financial assistance to members of the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT). ACT is a national college student association with more than 350 members located on 17 college and university campuses across the country. ACT’s mission of fostering professional development is at the core of the Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program, now in its fourth year.

The Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program is broken out into two individual student scholarships and one chapter scholarship. All three awards are aimed at helping students attend the annual Agricultural Media Summit (AMS), which is the largest gathering of ag media professionals in the country and is the ACT students’ primary career development networking opportunity each year. The conference is hosted by the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA), the Livestock Publications Council (LPC) and the American Business Media Agri-Council – potentially future employers and colleagues of the students.

“Yamaha is proud to help these ag students, but the program is structured so that the ag community might benefit most in the long term,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager. “Within our application process, we are incorporating some basic points on safe, responsible equipment use, and we expect the students will take these important messages into their future careers as professional communicators.”

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Since 1977, the NAFB Foundation has provided financial support and educational opportunities in the form of college scholarships to assist students in pursuit of careers in agricultural communications. Currently the NAFB Foundation offers three annual college scholarships, including two for $4,000, as well as the Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship for $5,000. These scholarships are recognized at the National NAFB Convention, and the winners also receive an expense-paid trip to attend the convention as part of the award.

Scholarships are paid over two semesters. The first half of the funds will be applied to the fall semester 2012, while the second half will be applied to the spring semester 2013. Funds will be paid directly to the college/university once the recipient provides proper documentation outlined below.

Criteria of the NAFB Foundation Scholarship are:

• Applicants must be a junior, senior, or graduate student prior to application deadline and must be enrolled in or transferring to an agricultural communications curriculum with concentration and/or application in broadcast media (this may include Internet/online media distribution)
• Successful completion of application and all supplemental materials
• Remain in “good standing” with school for the duration of semesters scholarship money is to be awarded
• Provide NAFB with a billing statement per semester scholarship money is to be paid

All support materials below must be received under one cover, at the same time:
1. Recorded audio statement (in MP3 or audio cd format), not to exceed 2 minutes, to include:
a. Description of your communications experience to date. Example: writing, editing, radio announcing, public speaking, leadership positions, etc.
b. Explain your reasons for choosing a career in agricultural communications
c. Explain your long-term career goals
d. How you anticipate using electronic communication skills
2. Official academic transcript of college coursework completed
3. Three (3) letters of reference (academic, personal and/or leadership references)

The application and all support materials must be submitted/postmarked to NAFB by May 31, 2012:
NAFB Foundation Scholarship
Attn: Aaron Corbet
P.O. Box 500
1100 Platte Falls Road
Platte City, MO 64079

If you have any questions about the NAFB Foundation Scholarship, please contact:
Aaron Corbet
Phone: 816.431.4032
email: aaron@nafb.com

Scholarship Application