Scholarships

Download the Montana FFA Scholarship Application

Irene Andres Memorial Award

Irene Andres (1942-1999) was a heart felt supporter of the FFA. She was the mother of ten children: eight of whom received the State Degree and six served as State FFA Officers. She was awarded the Honorary State Degree and the Chapter Eagle Award. She was an active member of the Missoula FFA Alumni for twenty years and ?mothered? the students as she knew best. She was involved in most of the chapter activities and chaperoned many events. Her favorite was the National FFA Convention. She attended many times and always viewed it as her annual dose of inspiration. It is in her honor that the Andres Family will award a deserving member the opportunity to experience the National Convention by providing a $200 stipend.

Holt Family, John Bliss Scholarship

National FFA Convention

The Holt Family of Lolo, Montana, annually provides a scholarship in recognition of John Bliss, and is a long time supporter of the Montana FFA and of Western Montana. The Holt boys: Bret, Pat & Roger were all FFA members and classmates of John. This award has been sponsored by the Holt Family since 1981 in memory of John.

John Bliss was born on August 14, 1955, in Miles City, raised on a ranch near Sand Springs, and attended rural schools in Eastern Montana. He attended Sentinel High School in Missoula and was an active member of the Missoula FFA Chapter all four years. He held the office of Vice President and various committee chairmanships; was a member of the chapter livestock judging team as well as the district and state contest teams; was a delegate to the Washington Leadership Conference and the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, MO.

The chapter could always depend on John to be present and actively working to promote the success of all chapter endeavors. His willing attitude and sense of humor were just two of his personal traits which influenced his fellow members. He was awarded the Chapter “Workhorse” Award for his active participation in various projects and culminated his FFA membership when he received the State Farmer Award in 1973. After his graduation, he moved back to the family ranch in Eastern Montana where he and his brother operated a large wheat and livestock operation.

John was an aviation enthusiast; a charter member and director of the Ag Pilots Association; held commercial and multi-engine pilot ratings; was a certified Ag Pilot and operated his own crop spraying business along with the ranching operation. John lost his life due to a malfunction of his airplane on June 14, 1980, while making a return flight to the ranch after a spraying job.

The memory of JOHN BLISS will live on through the recipients of this award who will strive to work for the betterment of themselves, their chapter, their state, and their nation.

JOHN BLISS: August 14, 1955 - June 14, 1980

Vernon Dahlstrom Memorial Agriculture Scholarship

Vernon Dahlstrom was a highly respected agricultural education instructor. This scholarship was created in his honor after his passing to assist students in the pursuit of a career in agriculture.

Leroy Keilman Memorial Agricultural Safety Scholarship

This scholarship is made available through the generosity of Mr. Leroy Keilman of Billings, Montana. Mr. Keilman was raised on farms at Philbrook and Hobson, Montana, and graduated from Hobson High School in 1929. He attended Montana State University on a scholarship provided by 4-H and graduated with a degree in agriculture. He was a vocational agriculture teacher/FFA advisor for 15 years at high schools in Moccasin, Poplar, Miles City, and Billings. Mr. Keilman was then a soil scientist for the Bureau of Reclamation. Mr. Keilman retired at the end of December, 1986, from the BLM. He was the Safety and Health Manager for the Bureau of Land Management in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Prior to this position, he was a BLM resource area manager for 12 years. Mr. Keilman has had a lifelong interest in the promotion of agricultural safety. Mr. Keilman passed away in 1998.

For the Leroy Keilman Scholarship Application, click here.

Lars Ronning Memorial Scholarship

Larry “Lars” Ronning was raised on a farm east of Froid, MT. Since the Froid School did not offer Agricultural Education, Lars did not have the opportunity to experience the National FFA Organization. His love and talent of mathematics drove him to college to become a Civil Engineer. Sadly, during his freshman year, his father passed away. Being the oldest son, Lars felt he should return home to run the family farm for his mother.

In 2004, he married his wife, Ann Newhouse, who was the Agricultural Education teacher and FFA Advisor in Bainville, at the time. Through her, he was able to experience the FFA. Lars eventually left farming and turned to a career in construction. He and his co-workers built over a dozen houses in northeast Montana and northwest North Dakota before he was killed while constructing a two-story home in Sidney on the first day of fall in 2007.

This $500.00 scholarship was developed in his honor to go to a graduating senior who will be seeking an agricultural or vocational degree at a university or vocational post-secondary school.

Montana FFA Alumni Leadership Camp Scholarships

The Pat Cavey and Brad King Alumni Leadership Camp Scholarships provide up to five (5) $100 scholarships for active Montana FFA Association members to attend the statewide leadership camp, held annually in Highwood, Montana. The Montana FFA Foundation provides up to four (4) $100 scholarships for active Montana FFA Association members to attend the annual FFA Alumni Leadership Camp.

Pat Cavey and Dr. Brad King were members of the very first Alumni Leadership Camp planning committee and staff in 1983. Two of Pat’s sons were very active in FFA, and served as State Presidents, Brian (1981-1982) and Scott (1982-1983). Brad was a state officer (1982-1983), an agricultural education teacher in Stevensville (1986-1998), and currently serves as the OPI Agricultural Education Specialist.

Washington Leadership Conference (WLC)

Scholarships

These scholarships are provided as encouragement and financial assistance to seven (7) active Montana FFA Association members wishing to gain leadership training by attending the Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.