Scholarships
Sponsors
The Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, in conjunction with the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, offers a $1,000 scholarship to a student who has been accepted or is in the process of applying for continuing education at a college or university, technical school, or vocational school. All academic majors will be considered, but priority will be given to agriculture or agriculture-related majors (such as food science, veterinarian, ag education, etc.). Preference will be given to those applicants who are members or whose families are members of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association. Payment will be made upon documentation of acceptance or enrollment in a continuing education program.
Applications
The application window will be open from November 1 – April 15. Applications can be downloaded here.
Applications include:
- Completed application
- 500 word essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Recent High School or College transcript
Selection Criteria
- Experience and involvement with sheep and or sheep related activities (4-H, FFA, Make It With Wool, etc.)
- Agriculture or agriculture-related education/career goals
- Community service activities
- Leadership and/or extra-curricular involvement
- High School/college academic achievement
Awards Presentation
The scholarship presentation will be made at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival and the winner will be honored at the Maryland Sheep Breeders annual dinner.
Questions
2025 Scholarship Winner
Reed Mason
The MSBA scholarship of $1,000 for 2025 was awarded to Reed Mason. Reed has been actively engaged in Maryland’s shepherd community, raising and showing sheep, and tirelessly working to improve her flock through breeding and artificial insemination. She not only has built expertise but is already paying it forward as an active advocate and mentor to the next generation, developing and hosting clinics for novice shepherds to hone their own skills. Reed has demonstrated a true entrepreneurial spirit and has been an advocate of our industry, and has developed deep roots in her community through various community service events, including feeding the homeless and coordinating the inaugural Calvert Wreaths Across America honoring our veterans. Reed represents the tenth generation working on her family’s farm and has been showing sheep through 4-H since 2016. Her leadership roles outside of 4-H have included being her class vice-president and a parliamentarian with the National Honor Society. She graduated from Rising Sun High School this spring. Reed now will continue her formal education at Oklahoma State University, focusing on sustainable farming and livestock practices, as well as agri-economics, and with a goal of being a resource for farmers to create wealth, profitability, and sustainability. She is not only looking to further her own education and career in our industry, but also to use that wealth of knowledge to grow and benefit our community. Congratulations, Reed.
