The National Black Farmers Association is seeking applicants for its first ever college scholarships to support students in agriculture-related study.

The scholarships are being funded with a $100,000 grant from FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of the former Chrysler Group, now FCA US LLC.

“This is a step in the right direction for the survival of America’s black farmers,” said John W. Boyd Jr., a Mecklenburg County farmer and longtime president of the national black farmers group.

He urged interested students to sign up quickly because only 100 applications are being accepted, with finalists each awarded $2,500 to $5,000.

Applications are being accepted online only at https://scholarsapply.org/blackfarmersassociation, Mr. Boyd stated in an email. Applications will be limited to the first 100 received by the June 15 deadline, he stated.

According to the rules on the website, applicants must be African-American farmers or dependent children of such farmers. The farm operation also must be verifiable through a USDA farm agency or the cooperative extension service.

Applicants also must be high school seniors or have plans to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate agricultural program at a two-year, four-year or vocational-technical school, and have demonstrated an interest in an agriculture-related career through participation in 4-H, Future Farmers of America or a similar organization, the rules state.

Applicants also must have a 3.0 GPA or better.

Further information: Mr. Boyd, NBFA, (434) 210-2286 or johnwesleyboydjr@gmail.com.