MFA Foundation ⁽⁹⁾

The MFA Foundation was established in 1958 with the primary purpose of providing greater educational opportunity for the youth in our trade territory. The Foundation's major activity is its Scholarship Program, which has provided financial assistance to over 15,000 college and university students from rural communities since its initiation in 1965. Every spring approximately 325 scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors. The scholarships are sponsored by the MFA Foundation and local MFA agencies. The MFA Foundation makes gifts directly and generally, in an unrestricted manner, to private colleges. While the college scholarship program constitutes the main thrust of the MFA Foundation, the Foundation also pursues other worthwhile projects. The Foundation also contributes to programs that are consistent with the Foundation's original purpose of providing educational opportunity for youth. Included in these programs are: Missouri 4-H Foundation, Missouri FFA Association and the Missouri Young Farmers Association. In addition, the MFA Foundation administers special scholarship programs and has also made substantial contributions to the University of Missouri College of Agricultue, Food and Natural Resources. The MFA Foundation is incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri. Officers and directors are officers and employees of MFA agencies and serve without compensation from the Foundation. The MFA Foundation is a collaboration between MFA Incorporated, its local affiliates, joint venture partners and MFA Oil Company.

Program Guidelines Education and technical training are important tools for today’s young people to flourish in the future. MFA Foundation scholarships are intended to help students pursue studies and develop careers that enhance rural America’s future. These scholarships are offered to high school seniors who are children or grandchildren (including step-children or step-grandchildren) of a member of MFA Agri Services Centers, MFA Oil Company Bulk Plants, or qualified customers of other MFA agencies. Applicants must be a resident of Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas or Oklahoma. Eligible high school seniors can apply for the scholar­ship here online. Additional information is available at participating MFA facilities. Applications will be available beginning Dec. 1, 2023, and must be completed and submitted online by Feb. 15, 2024. The scholarship winner is selected by a local committee, which considers the applicant’s: •Interest in furthering his/her education in agriculture or other fields that benefit rural life. •Participation and leadership in school, church and community activities. •Reputation for good citizenship and moral character. •Financial need, income and willingness to work. •Satisfactory academic progress. The scholarship may be used to pursue any course of study that leads toward an academic degree such as Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Associate’s Degree at an accredited college or university. The scholarship will be paid directly to the school and applied toward tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment. Recipients must be enrolled in school full time by Sept. 1 or the funds will be allocated to the runner-up.­ The MFA Foundation is a collaboration between MFA Incorporated, its local affiliates, joint venture partners and MFA Oil Company.

The MFA Foundation is a non-profit, philanthropic corporation established in 1958 with an initial gift of $28,000 from the estate of Robert O. Wurmb. The MFA Foundation is funded by MFA Incorporated, MFA Oil and affiliates of both companies. Net assets on June 30, 2023, were $18,212,932. Scholarships and contributions made by the MFA Foundation in the 2022-23 year totaled $781,100. The MFA Foundation is incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri. Officers and directors are officers and employees of MFA agencies and serve without compensation from the Foundation. Contributions to the MFA Foundation are tax deductible. To contribute to the MFA Foundation or to receive more information, write: MFA Foundation 201 Ray Young Drive Columbia, MO 65201

Investing in youth education is truly an investment in agriculture. The MFA Foundation Scholarship Program is a prime example of that commitment. Established in 1958, the Foundation is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization with the primary purpose of advancing educational opportunities for high school seniors in MFA’s trade territory. Since 1965, the Foundation’s principal mission has been awarding MFA Foundation scholarships, giving financial assistance to more than 15,000 students, totaling more than $17 million. 

Dr. Michelle Rhoads Michelle Rhoads leveraged her MFA Foundation scholarship to work toward solving a growing dairy cow fertility problem. Her quest for a dairy career began when she was growing up near Osage Bend, Mo., and progressed through an undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri, a master’s degree at Cornell and a PhD back at Old Mizzou. Today she is an assistant professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Instititue and State University. Brian Anderson Brian Anderson’s itch for farming took him from Polo, Mo. to the University of Missouri and a degree in agricultural economics. His post-college experience in the seed industry led him to the halls of MFA Incorporated where, as a production and marketing specialist, he helped build the MorSoy soybean line into a marketplace success. Anderson is now the manager of Mid-States Seed in Marshall, Missouri. Jeannie Bentley Jeannie Bentley used her degree in a life-long commitment tothose around her. She grew up in Marceline, Mo., and after graduating with a degree in physical education from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State), Bentley immersed herself in raising her children and becoming involved in civic leadership in north central Missouri. Now she is director of advancement for Boys & Girls Town of Missouri, an organization with a mission to improve the lives of children with emotional and behavioral problems through family-focused services. The MFA Foundation is a collaboration between MFA Incorporated, its local affiliates, joint venture partners and MFA Oil Company.