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Minnesota FFA Foundation Scholarship Program
The Minnesota FFA Foundation Scholarship Program provides opportunities for students across Minnesota to pursue their educational goals and future careers in agriculture. Now in its 12th year, the program currently offers three scholarships: the Ames Family Legacy Foundation Scholarship, the James W. Tracy Scholarship, and the Thiher Family Scholarship.
Each scholarship was established through the generosity of donors who share a passion for supporting youth in agriculture, strengthening rural America, and investing in the future of FFA and 4-H members. These scholarships help make educational opportunities more accessible to students involved in agriculture while creating a lasting impact on the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Interested in creating a lasting legacy through the Minnesota FFA Foundation by establishing a scholarship in your name or in honor of someone special? We would love to connect with you! Please reach out to Minnesota FFA Foundation staff to learn more about establishing a scholarship.
Scholarships are open to Minnesota FFA and 4-H members. Learn more about each scholarship, its requirements, and the generous donors who make these opportunities possible below. If you meet all of the requirements below, we encourage you to apply!
Applications are now open for the 2027 scholarships! Application deadline: February 1, 2027
James W. Tracy Scholarship
Leaving His Legacy
The James W. Tracy Scholarship Program was established in honor of James W. Tracy, a Northfield-area farmer with a deep passion for agriculture and helping young people succeed. Growing up on a farm near Northfield, Jim was an active FFA and 4-H member. He served two years in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to his love of farming and his community.
Jim believed strongly in supporting youth, strengthening rural America, and keeping agriculture thriving. His generosity and commitment to these values led him to donate his farm to an organization he deeply admired — FFA.
Through his lasting gift, the Minnesota FFA Foundation is proud to carry on Jim's legacy by providing scholarships to students involved in agriculture. Generations of young people will benefit from his vision and generosity.
Thiher Family Scholarship
Making a lasting impact
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James and Donna Thiher believe in the power of higher education and the potential of young people committed to agriculture. With deep roots in farming and their community, they are passionate about investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Through the Thiher Family Scholarship, they support Minnesota FFA members pursuing an agriculture-related degree at a U.S. post-secondary institution. Their generosity helps remove financial barriers and empowers students to achieve their goals and make a lasting impact in agriculture and rural communities.
The Minnesota FFA Foundation is honored to partner with the Thiher Family in carrying out their vision. Minnesota FFA members pursuing an education in agriculture are encouraged to apply!
Apply now!
Applications now open! Apply here:
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Ames Family Legacy Foundation Scholarship
Supporting our Two Year Students
The Ames Family Legacy Scholarship will support students pursuing a two year degree. More information to come!
Scholarship Requirements & Details
This scholarship is open to Minnesota FFA and Minnesota 4-H Members. Scholarships will be $2,500.
Scholarship Eligibility:
Must be a resident of Minnesota
Must be enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited post-secondary school in the US.
Students completing two or four year programs are allowed to apply
Must be or plan to pursue a degree in agriculture or animal husbandry
Open to High School Seniors or Current College students
It is possible to receive this scholarship twice: once as a high school student and once as a college student (if your application warrants and is selected two times). It is not an automatic guarantee you will receive the second time.
Scholarship Timeline:
Applications are open now.
Scholarship recipients will be announced by April 1, 2027
Application will be submitted through our scholarship portal, Foundant. Direct link is here. You will need to create an account to get started. Applicants can come back and edit their applications at any time until the deadline.
Congratulations 2026 Scholarship Recipients!
2026 Thiher Family Scholarship Recipients include:
Luke McCrea, Faribault
Jilian Schoenfeld, Lake Benton
2026 Ames Family Foundation Scholarship Recipients include:
Ambra Andrist, Kasson - Mantorville
Billy Roesch, Ada-Borup
Sarah Schriever, Fillmore Central
Sven Storbakken, Princeton
Grace Meidinger
Macey Minten
Aubree Paplow
Tyson Prigge
Mattea Quigley
Brooke Reeser
Langston Richter
Ambrose Rinkenberger
Kailie Robinson
Anna Rott
Keeley Runge
Christian Schafer
Hannah Schuhmacher
Madison Sieve
Blake Siewert
Jensyn Storhoff
Cole Sundeen
Dessa Terning
Lillian Thuente
Andrew Timm
Kody Tollefsrud
Allison Van Nurden
Liv Vander Kooi
Abigail Willegal
Edward Winters
Kyla Yost
2026 James Tracy Scholarship Recipients include:
Ella Aarsvold
Luke Bastian
William Bastian
Caleb Birdsall
Lainey Brandt
Hailey Chambers
Annabel Coudron
Madalynn Crompton
Ella Doehling
Jaden Ebnet
Shayna Erickson
Teegan Fiene
Alivia Fruechte
Sydney Giese
Wyatt Glessing
Hanna Gudknecht
Keith Harner
Isaac Hennen
Wyatt Herman
Hazelee Hettver
Alexis Hoefs
Anna Janssen
Adreanna Kaas
Clare Landrum
Carson Lee
Samantha Mattson
Ivy McClain
Interested in creating a lasting legacy by establishing a scholarship through the Minnesota FFA Foundation? We would love to help bring your vision to life and create opportunities for the next generation of agricultural leaders. Contact Minnesota FFA Foundation staff to learn more about establishing a scholarship in your name or in honor of someone special!