S.M. True, Jr Award

Texas Farm Bureau 
S.M. True, Jr. Agricultural Scholar Award 

Background: 

S.M. True, Jr. (1923-2012) served as president of Texas Farm Bureau from 1982 to 
1993. Mr. True was part of the "Greatest Generation" serving his country in World War II as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot. Following his distinguished military service, Mr. True began his farming career with his wife, Anna Jean, in Hale County near Plainview, Texas. He produced cotton, wheat, feed grains, and beef cattle and continued a keen interest in the farm and in agricultural issues until his death. 
S.M. True, Jr. had a passion for improving the lives of his fellow farmers and ranchers. He worked tirelessly through several organizations, but most diligently through Farm Bureau. He had a knack for getting things done and believed that Farm Bureau was the organization that best represented agriculture because of its grassroots orientation. 
Mr. True was an outstanding leader who inspired others to follow. He was a beacon of optimism for farmers and ranchers--always saying agriculture’s best days are yet ahead. The TFB S.M. True, Jr. Agricultural Scholar Award is a tribute to his leadership, positive attitude, and spirit of optimism. 

Summary of the Award:

The Texas Farm Bureau S.M. True, Jr. Agricultural Scholar Award will be presented annually to one recipient. The recipient will be a student enrolled in a four-year college or university that is (or will be upon receipt of the award) classified as a junior (at least 60 hours of credit completed) and is majoring (or about to declare a major) in an agriculture program. To receive the full amount of the scholarship, the scholar award recipient must continue to major in agriculture and maintain a grade point average similar to that held at the time of winning the award. 

Amount of the Award:

The total amount of the award is $20,000 payable in $5,000 increments for each semester of the scholar’s junior and senior year. The award will be paid directly to the college or university unless there are special circumstances. The Texas Farm Bureau President will rule on any special circumstance requests. 

Qualifications:

Scholar award applicants must: 
1. Be a member of a Farm Bureau family with continuous membership for at least 3 years at the time of application; 
2. Provide two letters of recommendation: 
a. from the county Farm Bureau president from the applicant’s membership county, and 
b. from the dean or head of the agriculture program department of the applicant’s college or university; 
3. Be enrolled, or about to enroll, in an agriculture program major, provide a copy of course work and grades to date of application, and provide a copy of the course work expected for major; 
4. Complete an application and submit it to the TFB Waco office not later than March 21 of the scholarship selection year; and 
5. Provide a copy of course work and grades prior to payment of each semester’s award. 

Selection Process: 

Following receipt of each year’s applications, a committee appointed by the Texas Farm Bureau President will review the applications and make a report and recommendation to the Board of Directors at the regular May meeting. The Board of Directors will vote on the selection.