VIEWPOINT

MFA Foundation scholarships help fund college dreams for rural youth.
By Don Copenhaver

You’ll notice this month’s issue of Today’s Farmer contains our annual listing of the MFA scholarship winners—all 294 of them for a total of more than $430,000. We’ve been doing this almost 50 years. The amount we invested in the education of rural youth last year exceeded $430,000, also. There’s a good reason we invest this much money, continue administering this complex effort and devote our magazine space to these young scholars: They represent the future of their rural communities, agriculture and the United States. I say that with all sincerity. Our young people are the best and brightest. They are deserving of our support and guidance.

The money used to fund these scholarships comes from the MFA Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1958 following a gift of $28,000 from Robert O. Wurmb of St. Clair, Mo. Using his gift as seed money, MFA officials organized the Foundation for the express purpose of furthering education and providing scholarships to deserving, graduating high school seniors throughout MFA’s trade territory. Oddly enough, Wurmb was a farmer only in retirement. By vocation, he was a union organizer in St. Louis who, in retirement, bought a farm in St. Clair. While living in St. Clair, Wurmb became friends with Vernie Emmons, manager of the MFA Farmers Elevator. Through his friendship with Emmons, Wurmb became fascinated with MFA’s activities and organization, so much so that he willed the bulk of his estate to MFA.

Funds from the Foundation have been used to support 4-H, FFA and a variety of like educational activities. In addition, the MFA Foundation has made substantial contributions to the education of rural doctors as well as several medical schools and the University of Missouri school of veterinary medicine.

Scholarships are funded by interest income on investments of the Foundation and contributions by participating MFA agencies—MFA Agri Services Centers, MFA Oil Company and affiliated local cooperatives. We have a voluntary, 11-member board of trustees for the Foundation which includes employees (active and retired) of MFA Incorporated, MFA Oil Company and local affiliates. Larna Lavelle, assistant secretary of the MFA Incorporated board of directors, serves as secretary/treasurer of the MFA Foundation. She also coordinates the scholarship program. Assets have increased over the years by contributions from MFA and affiliated agencies and, as provided for in the bylaws, by transferring unclaimed equities to the Foundation with the stipulation that such unclaimed equities be returned to the rightful owner if claimed.

The number of scholarships provided each year is determined by the number of locations participating. The amount provided to students has steadily increased over the years as have the costs of college education. Right now, scholarships average $1,500. Participation in the scholarship program is at the discretion of individual managers of each location.

One thing we have learned over the history of this scholarship program is that if you don’t think it is important to your community, just try to stop it. Several individuals have learned that the hard way. Those vying for scholarship funds are motivated young people with involved parents and active school counselors. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Every year, we receive thank-you notes from many of the recipients. The letters are enjoyable. Many get straight to the point: “Thank you for the scholarship.” Others reference their intended careers: “Thank you for the scholarship. I’ll use it to help me achieve my goal of getting an agronomy degree.” There are also ones that will make you laugh out loud: “Trust me. I need this money.”

I’d like to end with two thank-you letters from this year that are representative of the written sentiments we receive. First, from Jessica Toombs, Stewartsville, Mo. [Provided by St. Joseph MFA Agri Services Center]: “I cannot tell you how grateful I am to the MFA Foundation for the scholarship I received. With your generosity, I am able to attend the University of Missouri with less financial burden to my family. Once again, thank you for your financial assistance.”

And last, from Derek Payne, Polk, Mo. [Given by the Bolivar Farmers Exchange]: “I would like to thank your kind organization for your generous MFA Foundation scholarship that you have allowed me to receive. I have lived on a farm all my life and have come to respect the hard work, honesty and dedication of the MFA name. I hope that in the future I can make you all proud that you chose me for a scholarship this year. May God bless your organization.”

To these moving letters, I can easily say for all of us involved in the scholarship program, from managers and store employees to those of us in the home offices, “You’re welcome, Jessica. And, Derek, you don’t have to wait for a time in the future for us to be proud of you. We already are.”