10/16/23 – KHSAA member school students invited to apply for 2024 Kentucky Ag Athletes-of-the-Year

October 17, 2023 2023-2024 News Releases

KDA-KHSAA partnership to award six scholarships to Kentucky student-athletes

Kentucky student-athletes who are involved in agriculture are invited to apply for one of six scholarships and recognition as a 2024 Kentucky Ag Athlete of the Year.

The program is a partnership of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA).

“Athletics and agriculture have a lot in common. They both teach the value of effort, discipline, and teamwork,” Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Quarles said. “We are pleased to join our partners at the KHSAA for the sixth year to reward the Commonwealth’s best young athletes and agriculturists. We hope these scholarships help cover the ever-rising cost of higher education for those striving for excellence in athletics and agriculture.”

To qualify, student-athletes must be Kentucky farmers or involved in agriculture; must be graduating seniors in high school; and must be accepted to a college, university, or trade school following graduation. An agriculture major is not required, and preference will be given to Kentucky colleges; however, out-of-state schools will be considered if the applicant is seeking a specialized degree in an agricultural field.

Two student-athletes – one male and one female – will be named Outstanding Kentucky Ag Athletes of the Year and will be awarded $2,000 scholarships. Four student-athletes – two males and two females – will be awarded $1,000 scholarships as Kentucky Ag Athletes of the Year. Winners will be announced at the 2024 UK HealthCare/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet Sixteen® basketball tournament in March at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

The scholarships are payable to an institution of higher learning. Funding for the scholarships comes from the KDA’s “Ag Tag” program, which is funded by voluntary donations from Kentucky motorists when they buy or renew their farm vehicle license plates. No state taxpayer dollars will be used to fund the scholarship awards.

“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 help highlight them for their accomplishments.”

Student-athletes must apply online by Dec. 31. To apply, go to https://ly.khsaa.org/c3ng.

– KHSAA –

About the Kentucky High School Athletic Association

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association was organized in 1917 and is the agency designated by the Kentucky Department of Education to manage high school athletics in the Commonwealth. The Association is a voluntary nonprofit 501(c)3 organization made up of 290 member schools, both public and non-public. The KHSAA awards 229 state championships to 59 teams and 178 individuals in 13 sports and six sport-activities, funds catastrophic insurance coverage for its more than 109,000 rostered member school student-athletes, provides coaching education and sports safety programs for more than 12,000 coaches and licenses and facilitates the distribution of training material for over 4,000 contest officials.