'Ag Tag' Donations Fund Scholarships for High School Athletes With Agricultural Interest

FRANKFORT (March 8, 2019) —Kentucky motorists who voluntarily donate up to $10 to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA’s) “Ag Tag” program when they buy or renew their farm vehicle license plates will help further the education of six Kentucky high school student-athletes involved in agriculture.

Each year, six deserving Kentuckians are awarded scholarships totaling $8,000 as the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA)-KDA Ag Athletes of the Year. Two recipients – one male and one female –receive $2,000 scholarships as the Outstanding Ag Athletes of the Year, and four student-athletes – two male and two female – receive $1,000 scholarships as the Kentucky Ag Athletes of the Year. They are honored during the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen State Basketball Tournament at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

“It’s no secret that it is expensive to get a postsecondary education,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “Whether these students pursue their dreams at a four-year institution or at a vocational school, these scholarships will help offset the rising costs of continued education.”

“Our office is always looking for more ways to honor and recognize the hard work of student-athletes, and we are certainly appreciative of the Department of Agriculture for its sponsorship of this program,” said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. “We realize agriculture students have a lot of responsibilities to balance, and we are thrilled to be able to highlight them for their accomplishments.”

Sixty-one student-athletes applied for the 2019 Ag Athlete Awards, with the winners selected by a committee. The one-time scholarships, payable to an institution of higher learning, are awarded to senior student-athletes involved in agriculture who plan to continue their education at a two-year or four-year institution or trade school following their high school graduation.

“Deep roots grow leaders” is the theme of this year’s Ag Tag campaign. Kentucky farmers donated more than $612,000 to the Ag Tag Fund last year. Donations are divided equally among Kentucky 4-H, Kentucky FFA, and the KDA. Half of the 4-H and FFA funds go back to the county where the tag is purchased.