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: Hunter Hansell
Securing the Future of Oregon Wheat Wheat has long been a foundation of Oregon agriculture and rural communities, especially in Umatilla County, where wheat production supports farm families, local businesses, and the regional economy. Growing up on the Hansell family farm, I have seen firsthand how important wheat is not only as a crop, but…
2026 Scholarship Essay: Sophia Seeder
The Vitality and Importance of Wheat Looking ahead to outlook of the 2026 wheat industry as an American grower may be atime of uncertainty. Farmers are currently in a tough spot as they’ve dealt with low crop prices,high fertilizer and equipment prices for the past two years. Many are holding onto their graininstead of a…
2026 Scholarship Essay: Katelynn Melville
The Wheat Industry Across Different Countries and How it Affects the Wheat Economy According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the production of wheat was dominated by three countries during the 2024-2025 season: China, the European Union, and India1. This can vary from year to year, and the top eight are typically China, the…
