By Blake Jackson
Morehead State University is expanding opportunities for students pursuing careers in agriculture through a newly established scholarship endowment funded by the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association (BTGCA).
The Morehead State University Foundation recently announced the creation of the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Scholarship Endowment, a fund dedicated to helping agriculture students reduce the financial burden of higher education while preparing for careers in the agricultural industry.
The scholarship is supported by a significant contribution from the BTGCA, a cooperative founded in 1922 to serve burley tobacco producers across Kentucky, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri.
For decades, the organization played a key role in supporting tobacco growers through marketing services, advocacy efforts, and administration of the federal tobacco loan program.
At its height, the cooperative represented more than 190,000 members and handled hundreds of millions of pounds of burley tobacco.
As the BTGCA began dissolving operations in 2020, its leadership sought meaningful ways to preserve its legacy and continue supporting agriculture.
Establishing this scholarship endowment became one of the cooperative’s final initiatives, ensuring future generations of agricultural professionals benefit from its long-standing commitment to farming communities.
The scholarship will be available to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in agricultural programs at Morehead State University. Applicants must maintain good academic standing to be considered for the award.
Students interested in applying for the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Scholarship Endowment must submit their applications by June 15.
Additional information about this scholarship and other endowment opportunities is available through Morehead State University’s Office of Alumni Relations & Development at alumni@moreheadstate.edu or by calling 606-783-2033.
Photo Credit: more-head-state
Categories: Kentucky, Education