Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation has established a new scholarship program to support the next generation of Ventura County farmers and chefs.
The strength of the American food system depends on our agricultural industry and its ability to expand its education in the fields of agriculture, food science and culinary arts. Totally Local VC is dedicated to educating our youth and community on the key role that agriculture plays in our lives. Simply put, we educate from field-to-fork and field-to-career.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in agriculture and food science are expected to grow by 7% from 2000 to 2028. These jobs play an integral and important role in increasing food production and ensuring that there is enough food to feed the world’s population, which is projected to increase to nearly ten billion people by 2050. The Bureau also reports the growing demand for workers with expertise in the Ag and food-related industries.
Perhaps no other intervention in the lives of young people makes as much intuitive sense as the concept of mentoring. This scholarship fund will take that a step further in helping students to lessen their financial burden as they work to achieve their educational goals.
It takes a village
Brewers participating in this year’s Totally Local Craft Brew Garden at the Ventura County Fair have graciously donated funds to help kickstart this much-needed scholarship program. Funds raised throughout 2023 and early 2024 will be used to create this scholarship fund for high school seniors and undergraduate students in Ventura County who are actively pursuing an education and career in agriculture, culinary arts and/or food science.
Totally Local VC’s goal is to raise enough funds to offer at least two scholarships, one for agricultural education and one for culinary arts/food science. Scholarships recipients will be decided by our Agricultural Education Committee and awarded in March 2024.
If you’re interested in finding out more or donating to the scholarship fund, please email Kat Merrick at TotallyLocalVC@gmail.com.
Donate to the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation 2
For well over a decade, Totally Local VC has worked as an advisor for agriculture and culinary arts programs at both high school and college levels. Through our Totally Local VC Agricultural and Culinary Mentorship & Internship Programs, we work together with area chefs and farmers to help empower students in taking the next step in their journeys to achieve their educational and professional goals.
To grow and continuously raise the bar on our academic initiatives, Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation depends on community support. Funds raised from donations, sponsorships and events help to expand our programs and to continue our work with students. Totally Local VC’s programs help to prepare students for successful careers in agriculture, food science and the culinary arts fields as well as creating a direct connection to possible future employers and educators. This investment goes beyond that of monetary support and gives us a firm foundation upon which we build the future agricultural leaders and chefs of tomorrow.
