The Charles E. Kruse Scholarship has been established to honor this outstanding agricultural leader. Mr. Kruse, a 4th generation farmer from Stoddard County, served in leadership roles throughout his career including President of the Missouri Farm Bureau from 1992-2010. He also served as Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Chief Executive Officer for the North American Equipment Dealers Association.

Kruse, a 1967 graduate of Arkansas State University, majored in agronomy. In 1973, he received his Master of Science Degree in Agronomy from the University of Missouri. He was later appointed by Governor Kit Bond to serve on the University of Missouri Board of Curators.

Kruse was honored many times throughout his career with accolades, degrees and appointments. He also had a distinguished military career during which he achieved the rank of Brigadier General. To encourage students to pursue degrees, and ultimately careers, in agriculture, the Charles E. Kruse Scholarship will provide financial support for one deserving student annually.

The Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture will award four – $500 scholarships to students pursuing appropriate certification in fields related to and supportive of agriculture. This includes, but is not limited to: 1) Heavy Equipment Operations; 2) Electronics; 3) Welding; and 4) Diesel and Farm Machinery Repair. NOTE: Students pursuing a 4-year degree are not eligible.

This program is a service to Farm Bureau members thus all applicants, their parent(s), or guardian must hold an active membership in Missouri Farm Bureau.

Each recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student starting the fall semester of the year in which the scholarship is awarded.

Applicants must be a student in good academic standing and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students who are currently enrolled in the program, or students graduating from high school, may make application for the scholarship.