Oregon Wheat Scholarship 2026 Awardees
We are pleased to announce the 2026 Oregon Wheat Foundation scholarship recipients!
- Addie Saunders, Malheur County
- Addison Smith, Sherman County
- Ella Wilde, Baker County
- George Barnett, Wasco County
- Hunter Hansell, Umatilla County
- Katelynn Melville, Wallowa County
- Keira Counsell, Union County
- Madison Cranston, Sherman County
- Owyhee Harguess, Wallowa County
- Ryder Steward, Gilliam County
- Sophia Seeder, Marion County
- Taylor Weishaar, Union County
Each student receives a scholarship award of $2,000.
Thank you to our many sponsors that contribute to the success of the annual auction to raise funds for the scholarship programs. Providing scholarships to Oregon high school seniors allows Oregon Wheat to help grow agriculture.
Application Process
Applications for 2027 will open November 1, 2026 and will be due by February 1, 2027.
The Oregon Wheat Foundation awards up to twelve scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each to graduating high school seniors in Oregon. Scholarship winners are selected on school and community involvement, scholastic performance, and an essay on the wheat industry. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be the child of a grower member of the Oregon Wheat Growers League or have a parent/guardian who is employed by a grower member of the League. The scholarship is also open to students who have worked summers for a grower member. Applicants must be planning to enroll in a University, two-year Community college program or an accredited vocational or technical program.
To apply, complete a full application with all required attachments. Email your completed form with all attachments to info@owgl.org. Applications must be received by February 1, 2027. We require submissions in PDF (.pdf) or word (.doc) format. You will receive an email confirmation when we receive your full application.
Past Essays
Read some of the past scholarship essays.
2026 Scholarship Essay: Ella Wilde
From Field to Table: How the Wheat Industry Supports Rural Communities Wheat farming is not just about the process of how it can get turned into a piece of bread or flour. This industry is the backbone of many rural communities across the United States. Wheat farming has shaped local communities and sustains many family…
2025 Scholarship Essay: Natasha Lane
Growing the Next Generation Family farms currently dominate the farming industry, in 2017 they made up 96% of all U.S. farms; however, this number is slowly decreasing. Since 2012 the number of family farms has seen a decrease of 4% and there does not appear to be a stop in this trend. This is problematic…
2025 Scholarship Essay: Liam Heideman
The wheat industry is a vital part of the agricultural sector in the United States, providing food for millions of people and supporting thousands of farm families. However, this industry faces many challenges, such as unpredictable weather, fluctuating market prices, and rising production costs. A farm bill is essential for the wheat industry to address…
Oregon Wheat Foundation 