Kansas Wheat Research Foundation Offers Scholarship in Memory of Herb Clutter

Students looking for help funding college expenses should apply for the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship program to honor Herb Clutter’s influential role in organizing leadership groups on behalf of Kansas wheat producers. The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established in 2009 by the Kansas Wheat Research Foundation, which is administered by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The scholarship fund will award one $500 scholarship per year, to a college or university-bound incoming freshman from Kansas, pursuing a career in the field of agriculture. To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be a full-time student at any two or four year, Kansas college or university. Recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership qualities and career objectives focused around the field of agriculture. Recipients will receive the scholarship to be applied toward tuition for the student’s college or university education. The scholarship is non-renewable.

The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established through a fund in memory of Herbert W. Clutter, a farmer from Holcomb and the first president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, which was established in 1948. Clutter encouraged Kansas wheat farmers to organize as a strong, unified voice, which led to the formation of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers in 1952. He encouraged research in education and industrial uses of wheat, use of more wheat as food, improved variety development and methods to produce the best product at the lowest cost. Clutter’s efforts led to the formation of the Kansas Wheat Commission by the Kansas legislature, in 1957. The slayings of Herb Clutter, his wife, Bonnie and their children Kenyon and Nancy were chronicled in the Truman Capote book, “In Cold Blood.”

“Herb’s story and the impacthe had onthewheatindustry serves as an excellent example to young adults as they begin their college careers,” says Justin Gilpin, CEO Kansas Wheat. “His vision, hard work, and sense of community are all qualities tomorrow’s leaderswill need topossess.”

Applicants of the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship must complete the scholarship application, which includes a 400-500 word essay discussing why they have chosen to pursue a career in agriculture. The selection committee will use this essay along with application in determining the scholarship winner. The deadline for scholarship applications is April 15, 2010.