NCIS Scholarship Creates a Legacy of Giving Back

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For more than a decade, National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) has invested in fostering the next generation of America’s agricultural community through the NCIS 1890 Scholarship Program.

As George Washington Carver once reminded us, “Since new developments are the products of a creative mind, we must therefore stimulate and encourage that type of mind in every way possible.”

The 1890 Scholarship Program has worked to encourage creative minds by providing funding for four semesters to students with a professional interest in agriculture attending one of the 19 historically black land-grant institutions. It’s an investment in our nation’s farming future, and an investment in our commitment to increase the diversity in the crop insurance industry to reflect the diversity of the farmers it serves.

NCIS has awarded more than 25 scholarships to outstanding students since 2010. This year’s recipients are an exceptional group of young people who excel inside the classroom as well as through extracurricular activities on campus and are committed to giving back to their communities.

Scholarship recipient Samaya Brooks is studying agribusiness at North Carolina A&T State University.

“Agribusiness gives me the opportunity to learn about agriculture, which affects everyone, and help many people,” Samaya shares. “I’m very happy to have the opportunity to research and learn more about what I’m interested in. It has been my goal and dream since high school.”

After graduation, Samaya hopes to pursue a PhD to continue agribusiness research. Ultimately, she would like to use her career in agriculture to help to improve the lifestyle of farmers and protect them from exploitation.

Similarly, Tennessee State University student Tiffani Patterson also wants to use her agricultural career to help others.

“I plan to finish my degree in agricultural sciences and pursue a career in agriculture education. I plan to give back to students as my teachers did and hopefully show them that ag is not just for farm kids, but any kid who wants to learn about agriculture and [has] a passion to pursue it. I was not a farm kid by any means, but I was welcomed with open arms and learned many things I will use for the rest of my life,” Tiffani says.

This year, NCIS awarded a total of five scholarships to students from around the country. Our other deserving scholars are:

  • Erikton Goodloe is an agricultural business management major at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He’ll be a first-generation college graduate and looks forward to using his degree to launch a successful career helping farmers.
  • Paris Williams is an agricultural business major at Prairie View A&M University. Agriculture has been a lifelong interest for Paris, and she hopes to pursue a career in horticulture and agriculture research as well as start a small community farm.
  • Aja’Naeia Workman is a biology major at Alabama A&M University. She has plans to become a physician’s assistant to help others live healthier lives and make wiser health decisions.

All five of the 1890 Scholarship recipients are featured in the latest edition of Crop Insurance TODAY.