Santa Clara County Farm Bureau Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Santa Clara County Farm Bureau

Introduction
The Linda L. Lester Scholarship Fund, administered by the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau in partnership with American AgCredit, is offering $32,000 in scholarships to 2025 recipients. Awards support local high school seniors and college students who intend to pursue majors in agriculture — including, but not limited to, agricultural business, forestry, viticulture, animal science, crop science, environmental science, agricultural engineering, agricultural education, agricultural communications, and food science. Applicants must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.

Award Structure and Continued Eligibility
Scholarship winners receive annual disbursements based on the number of years they have remaining in college, for up to four years. To continue receiving yearly payments, recipients must submit their prior academic year’s transcript and provide verification of enrollment for the upcoming school year. During the payment period recipients are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Selection Criteria
Recipients are chosen on the basis of academic achievement, clarity of career goals, leadership experience, community involvement, and other accomplishments.

Application Requirements
Applications must be typed. Forms can be requested electronically from the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau office and may be scanned or copied. A complete application packet must include all of the following items:
A. Scholarship Application
B. Sealed Official Transcripts
C. Personal Statement
D. Two Letters of Recommendation
E. High Resolution Photo

Process, Interviews, and Notification
Timely submission is required. Applicants will be asked to participate in an interview with the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau scholarship committee as part of the selection process. Awardees will be notified by email. Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s college or university after the recipient’s school term begins. Recipients will need to supply additional information to process payments and are requested to provide a senior class photo for future scholarship publicity.

How to Apply
The preferred method is via the Online 2026 Linda L. Lester Scholarship Application. You may also submit a paper copy by downloading the printable Linda L. Lester Scholarship Application 2026.

Deadline and Mailing Address
The Farm Bureau must receive your completed online application (available in January 2021) or your printed application via U.S. Mail to:
605 Tennant Ave., Suite H
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Postmark/receipt deadline: FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026.

Please note: the office is not always staffed; mailing your packet is recommended.

Questions
For questions, contact Jess Brown at (831) 818-1193 or email info@santaclarafarmbureau.org.