AFIA’s EMC announced that it will partner with IFEEDER and WVU on a new scholarship program to support students for feed or grain sectors.

The American Feed Industry Association’s (AFIA) Equipment Manufacturers Committee (EMC) is proud to partner with the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) and West Virginia University (WVU) on a new scholarship that will support WVU students pursuing careers in the feed or grain sciences industries. Named in honor of Joel G. Newman, previous AFIA president and CEO and 1971 graduate of the Davis College’s program in animal and nutritional sciences, the EMC scholarship will provide $3,000 annually in financial assistance to students.

“When we look at the future of food and agriculture in the United States, we know the challenges that lie before us are many, but not beyond our reach,” said Mike Schuster, AFIA Board chair and IFEEDER chair elect. “By reaching out a hand and supporting the next-generation workforce through the EMC scholarship program, we enable today’s best and brightest to be tomorrow’s changemakers.”

Administered by IFEEDER, the EMC scholarship fund has grown since its inception in 2009. It now provides annual scholarships to students at seven universities, including Auburn, California State Polytechnic, Iowa State, Kansas State, North Carolina State, North Dakota State and West Virginia. 

“I am so pleased that that this scholarship will expand the development of next generation leaders for the food and agriculture industry,” said Newman, who retired in 2019 following a 48-year career in the agriculture and food industries. “Under Dr. Joseph Moritz’s leadership, Davis College graduates have found further education and employment opportunities throughout the industry and this investment in students will multiply this opportunity.”