If you are a student and you plan to study agriculture or an environmental science-related field in post-secondary, applications are now open for Wheatland County Agricultural Service Board ( ASB) Bursaries.

The application deadline is August 31.

“Students can apply for our bursary through our website,” said Russ Muenchrath, Wheatland County manager of agriculture and environment. He explained that part of the application features a skill-testing questionnaire.

“The bursary is available to students of Wheatland County that are entering into agriculture, or environmental science-related field of study. It could be somebody fresh out of school who is going to university, or maybe somebody that is already in a university within the past three years that is taking an Ag., or environmental science-related program,” he said.

Wheatland County’s ASB will provide up to $6,000 in bursaries with a minimum award of $500 and a maximum of $1,500 per person depending on the number of applicants that qualify.

Muenchrath explained that there is a bursary committee made up of three members of the ASB that choose who is awarded the bursary, and the dollar value. Applications are vetted to ensure all of the requirements are met.

“This is a long-standing bursary,” he said estimating that the board has been awarding the bursary for approximately 25 years.

Muenchrath says the board and county council realize the importance of the agricultural industry and its use to rural communities and within the county.

Twenty-five years ago, the program began with two bursaries of $500 and in present day, last year, the board increased the value to $6,000.

The funds can be used for tuition, learning resources, or room and board.

Applicants will be notified by November 1.