Students interested in food studies, agriculture, agribusiness, or natural resources have an opportunity for scholarships covering college expenses at Adams State University. As the project director, Sheldon Rockey, Center, Colo., is excited for the many possibilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture grant, “Sowing Seeds for Success: Developing Diversity and Leadership for Careers in Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources,” supported by the USDA funding opportunity program, “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen).”
Majors in agriculture, agribusiness, food studies and natural resources will be eligible for significant tuition and fees scholarships and opportunities for financial assistance for housing. “I am currently recruiting students for the fall 2024 semester,” Rockey said. “Not only is the grant providing scholarships, there are also components for paid internships and job placement after graduation.”
Local and regional industries will benefit as well, as the grant will fund the student internships and other work-based learning experiences. “The grant is so important to the local community,” Rockey added. “We hope with all the perks of the grant, including job placement, it will encourage skilled professionals to remain in the San Luis Valley after graduating with their degrees from Adams State.”
Rockey, Center, Colo., received a degree from Colorado State University in agro-engineering in 1998. He is an owner of White Rock Specialties LLC, where he handles grower relations and marketing of the potato and quinoa crops. He has served on the Subdistrict #1, the San Luis Valley Water Conservation District and the SLV Irrigation District. Rockey has connections across the state and nation. He served as the Colorado Potato Administration committee chair, and on Potatoes USA, a national marketing entity for growers across the nation.
As Colorado’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution, Adams State will receive $4.6 million over the next five years with the USDA Next Gen investment as we work together to strengthen opportunities for students to enter related careers in the SLV workforce and beyond.
Contact Sheldon Rockey: srockey@adams.edu for more information.
