Clay Grossnicklaus, OSU Institute of Technology student, was recognized as a recipient of the 2020 American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union Incoming Freshman State Scholarship.

Each year the AFR/OFU awards scholarships to youth across Oklahoma, with 27 students receiving a scholarship this year.

The AFR/OFU Cooperative offers activities geared toward developing the youth of Oklahoma to be the next generation of leaders. Grossnicklaus said he heard about this scholarship by attending AFR youth camps starting in the seventh grade.

“I feel honored and ecstatic to receive this scholarship,” he said. “This will help pay for tuition, books and my fees at OSUIT.”

Grossnicklaus, from Chickasha, is enrolled in the CAT® Dealer Prep program at OSUIT with an expected graduation date of 2022. He is currently on an internship for the first quarter of the semester.

“I chose OSUIT and the CAT® Dealer Prep program because it was the only school that would turn my passion in life into a career,” he said.

The CAT program at OSUIT allows the opportunity for students to work with their heads and their hands on the most advanced and powerful machines built by the world’s leading manufacturer of construction equipment, Caterpillar.

Grossnicklaus says he hopes to stay at Warren CAT after graduating to gain mechanical experiences to pursue his passion even further.

AFR/OFU’s annual state scholarships are available to qualified students in all 77 Oklahoma counties. Scholarship applications are selected by the AFR/OFU Scholarship Committee based on knowledge of the organization, AFR/OFU involvement, leadership activities, scholastic achievement and financial need. Applicants must have attended a minimum of two years of the AFR/OFU Senior Leadership Summit. They must also have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must be an AFR Insurance policyholder.

“Our organization and our membership are committed to the future of the agricultural industry in Oklahoma,” said AFR/OFU President Scott Blubaugh in a recent release. “We are proud to provide opportunities for professional development for our state’s agricultural youth. This financial support is just one more way for us to invest in tomorrow’s industry leaders.”

AFR/OFU Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR/OFU provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. The organization is actively supportive of the state’s agricultural industry and rural population with membership consisting of farmers actively involved in production agriculture and non-farmers adding their voice in support of AFR/OFU principles.

Grossnicklaus will also be recognized during the annual AFR/OFU convention in February.