$20,000 In Beef Industry Scholarship Monies Available

DENVER (August 20, 1998) - The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) are offering $20,000 in scholarship monies to college students pursuing careers in the beef industry. The 1999 CME Beef Industry Scholarship Program will award 16 students each a $1,250 scholarship. One selected recipient will also receive the top prize of an all expense paid trip to the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Charlotte, N.C., Feb. 11-14, 1999.

Students applying for the scholarship may pursue careers in agricultural education, communications, production, research or another area related to the beef industry. To be eligible, a student must: a) be enrolled or plan to enroll as an undergraduate student in the College of Agriculture at a four-year institution in the 1999-2000 academic year; b) write a brief letter indicating what role the student sees him or herself playing in the beef industry upon graduation; c) write a 750-word essay describing an issue confronting the beef industry today or in the future and offer his or her solutions (cite two references used); d) obtain two letters of reference from current or former professors or industry professionals; e) prepare a cover sheet to include name, school name, year in school and both current and permanent mailing addresses and phone numbers; and f) submit materials to: Chairman Donald Butler, National Cattlemen's Foundation, P.O. Box 3469, Englewood, CO, 80155.

Introduced in 1989 to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Live Cattle Futures, the CME Beef Industry Scholarship Program continues to recognize outstanding youth in the beef community. The National Cattlemen's Foundation (NCF) will administer the program and select the winners. Essays will be judged on clarity of expression, persuasiveness, originality, accuracy, relevance of topic and solutions offered. Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 30, 1998. Winners will be announced at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention, February 1998.

-- NCF --

The National Cattlemen's Foundation serves the beef industry as a charitable institution whose mission is to preserve the rich heritage and promote the future of the industry through research and education.