N.C. Tomato Growers Association offering $1,000 college scholarship

` The N.C. Tomato Growers Association is offering a $1,000 merit/need-based scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year. Any North Carolina resident who pursues a horticulture or agribusiness undergraduate or graduate degree at a four-year N.C. college or university is eligible to apply. The application deadline is June 30.

The award will be based on a student’s demonstrated scholastic achievement, initiative, leadership, financial need and extracurricular activities. The scholarship is contingent on the recipient maintaining at least a 2.5 grade-point average out of a possible 4.0 on all course work during the scholarship period.

The recipient must be enrolled for the entire school year to receive the full scholarship.

Funds will be distributed through the school’s financial aid office. The scholarship will be paid in two installments, $500 per semester.

The winner will be announced in August at the Tomato Field Day at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station in Fletcher.

For an application, contact Melinda James, NCGA pres-ident, at (828) 526-3989, or by e-mail at osagem@msn.com. Completed applications should be mailed to: N.C. Tomato Growers Association, c/o Melinda James, 1604 Hale Ridge Road, Scaly Mountain, NC 28775.

More information, including an application form, go to www.nctomatoes.com.