UnitedAg, a member-owned agricultural trade association representing more than 800 organizations in California and Arizona, announced today that it has awarded a record $100,250 in scholarships to 86 students from its member-affiliated agricultural families statewide.

IRVINE, Calif., (AgPR) March 28, 2018 - UnitedAg, a member-owned agricultural trade association representing more than 800 organizations in California and Arizona, announced today that it has awarded a record $100,250 in scholarships to 86 students from its member-affiliated agricultural families statewide. Provided through UnitedAgs Agribusiness Education Foundation (AEF), the 2018 awards raise the organizations historical scholarship total to over $1.4 million since AEF was founded in 2000. To date, 805 agricultural family members have received UnitedAgs assistance in achieving their educational goals and aspirations. Previous UnitedAg scholarship winners have earned degrees and taken their place in management, government, market development and foreign trade, with many working in agribusiness.

"The Agribusiness Education Foundation is incredibly important in ensuring that the agricultural industry and our society as a whole has a bright future," said AJ Cisney, Chairman of the UnitedAg Board of Directors. "We are all proud of the fact that we have helped hundreds of excellent and promising students and that we are able to support the higher-education aspirations of our members."

Based on both merit and need, this years scholarship awards range in amount from $500 per individual to $8,000 for this years recipient of the Maurice McMillan Scholarship, Patrick Dotsy, whose UnitedAg affiliation is with the Leavens Ranches LLC in Santa Paula. The scholarship funds are for use during the 2018-2019 academic year.

The 2018 UnitedAg scholarship recipients will be honored during luncheon ceremonies across California the week of April 23rd. For more information regarding the luncheon ceremonies, please contact Gabby Sanchez, Scholarship Coordinator (949) 975-1424 *259.

The primary sources of fundraising for the UnitedAg scholarships are the AEFs Annual Golf Tournament, Walkathon and Silent Auction, as well as individual donations of cash and gifts-in-kind for use in the Silent Auction. To learn more about the scholarship program or to give a gift-in-kind for use in the Silent Auction, visit www.unitedag.org/education-and-youth/give-your-support/ or call (800) 223-4590. To make a cash donation online, visit www.unitedag.org/donate/.

About UnitedAg
Founded in 1980, UnitedAg is a member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing innovative solutions for a strong and healthy agricultural industry. UnitedAg represents more than 800 agriculture-affiliated member organizations, including agricultural companies (growers, shippers, coolers, processors, dairy and livestock producers, and supporting businesses); associates; cooperatives; and partner agricultural associations. UnitedAg helps its members meet their employee benefits needs, promotes their interests with lawmakers, and helps them comply with legislation and regulation. Based in Irvine, Calif., UnitedAg has offices in Oxnard, Corona, Salinas, Fresno and Santa Maria. For more information, visit www.unitedag.org or contact Maribel Ochoa at 949. 471.3206 or pr@unitedag.org
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