Scholarship
FAQ
Who is eligible for a scholarship?
Current livestock and poultry farmers who reside in the U.S. and express an intention to learn about humane animal husbandry methods related to the production of animals raised for food are eligible. Farmers must own or be employed by a farm that raises livestock (ruminants, swine) and/or poultry.
FACT encourages limited resource farmers, beginning farmers, veteran farmers, BIPOC farmers, and farmers belonging to other historically underserved or marginalized groups to apply for a scholarship.
FACT is only able to award one scholarship per farm/household each year.
Farmers who received a scholarship within the past 12-month period are not eligible for a scholarship due to limited funds.
Events focused solely on aquaculture, equine husbandry, agritourism, and beekeeping are not eligible.
Scholarships will not be awarded for conferences or events that have already been completed..
What are the expectations for scholarship recipients at the event?
All scholarship recipients are expected to attend sessions related directly to humane animal management, business /farm finance, or value-added production processes. Those attending a workshop or training event are expected to attend the entire session for which they registered.
What if I receive a scholarship, but can’t attend the conference?
If a scholarship recipient does not attend the conference for which they received a scholarship, all scholarship funds must immediately be returned to FACT in the form of a check. Please note, FACT coordinates with conference organizers to verify attendance.
How do I apply?
Farmers seeking a scholarship should complete FACT’s online application requesting up to $400 for reimbursement of registration fees. FACT will not reimburse for conference meals, lodging, transportation, membership fees, or pre-conference workshops that are not related to livestock or poultry production.
Once we receive your application, we will review it for eligibility and notify you via email. If approved, we will ask you to provide proof of conference registration in the form of your registration email or credit card receipt within 24 hours of acceptance. Once we have your proof of payment and registration, we will issue you a check to reimburse registration fees within 14 business days. Alternative arrangements will be considered on a case by case basis.
How are decisions made?
Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis to eligible farmers until funding is depleted.
What are the expectations for scholarship recipients after the conference?
Within 14 days of attending the event, scholarship recipients are expected to complete a short report form about their experience at the conference. Scholarship recipients are invited to share photos of their farm or animals with FACT to promote their farm and scholarship experience. Scholarship recipients will also be added to FACT’s farmer email list.
Scholarship recipients who do not adhere to the requirements above will be barred from applying for future funding from FACT.