The application period for the 2019 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship is now open. Ten $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to students annually who intend to pursue a career in the pork industry with hopes they may emerge as pork industry leaders themselves someday.

Sponsored by CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation and managed and administered by the National Pork Producers Council, the scholarships are focused at undergraduate students in a two-year swine program or a four-year college of agriculture.

The scholarship program was introduced in 1990 by CME Group and NPPC to celebrate the 25th anniversary of CME Hog Futures. The scholarship was renamed in 2006 to honor the passing of NPPC Board of Director Lois Britt. Britt, a lifetime supporter of agriculture, spent 34 years with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, finishing out her career for 15 years with Smithfield Hog Production doing Public and Government Relations. She was inducted into the NPPC Pork Industry Hall of Fame, the N.C. Pork Council Hall of Fame and awarded the N.C. 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award as some of her many achievements.

To be eligible, applicants must be a current undergraduate student in a two-year swine program or four-year college of agriculture and a United States citizen. High school students are not eligible. The application process includes writing a brief letter indicating what role the applicant sees themselves playing in the pork industry after graduation as well as submitting an essay of 750 words or less describing an issue the applicant sees confronting the pork industry today or in the future, including offering their solutions.

All entries must be sent by Jan. 4, 2019 to be accepted.