The Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation is accepting applications through Jan. 31 for the Educational Excellence Competitive Grant Program for the 2017-18 school year.

Individuals who have a current Farm Service Number on record with the Farm Service Agency at the time of application and reside in the 22 counties the foundation serves, or tobacco quota owners, quota owners/growers, or grower/tenants of Farm Service Agency record in any single crop year from 1997 through 2004, and their immediate family dependents, that are enrolled at an accredited institution and are seeking a bachelor’s degree are eligible.

Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time sophomore, junior or senior in the 2017-18 school year to be eligible. Applications and guidelines are available at your local FSA office, the foundation office or online at www.soacdf.net.

The Southern Ohio Agricultural and Community Development Foundation serves 22 counties in southern Ohio by providing educational assistance and agricultural and economic development grants. The foundation has awarded more than $13.5 million in educational grants alone since the programs began in 2001.

For questions regarding the Educational Assistance Grant Program, call the foundation office at 937-393-2700 or Kristy Watters at 740-645-5727.

Submitted by Cristin Barber, Southern Ohio Agricultural & Community Development Foundation.