Pine Island Chamber adds third Black Dirt Scholarship

PINE ISLAND — The Pine Island Chamber of Commerce has added a third scholarship opportunity to its Black Dirt Scholarship Fund.

The scholarship committee decided to add equestrian studies to its list of potential fields of study that qualify for a $1,000 scholarship.

Equine-based businesses are an integral segment of the agricultural economy of the local community.

There are three $1,000 scholarships for students planning on pursuing a college curriculum in agriculture, culinary arts/hospitality, or equine studies who meet the qualifications of the application.

Applicants must be a resident of the Town of Warwick and be a high school senior in good academic standing, who will graduate in June 2014 or a current college student at any stage of a post-secondary education, committee co-chair, Sondra Hall of Warwickinfo.net.

“These scholarships are all about character and community,” she said in the press release announcing the new scholarship, “since the students must also demonstrate a commitment to and involvement in community volunteer service or community work experience.”

Essential information
The Black Dirt Scholarship is funded with a portion of the proceeds from the annual Black Dirt Feast. The feast’s objective is to bring the community together to celebrate the beauty and bounty of the Black Dirt Region.

The mission of the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1961, is to promote prosperity in the business community, support and enhance the uniqueness of the region, and to enrich the lives of all residents through community spirit and cooperation.

The Black Dirt Scholarship application is available for download at www.pineislandny.com.

The deadline for submission is April 21.

The scholarship committee includes Hall of Warwickinfo.net and co-chair Peter Groenendaal of ARCC Energy Group; Sally and Bob Scheuermann of Scheuermann Farms and Greenhouses; Jonna Gaston of Green Valley Tack; and citizen members Joseph Maggio and Jane Hamburger.