By Brent Lyday
Commerce – Cereal Crops Research Incorporated (CCRI) recently established a $10,000 endowment at Texas A&M University-Commerce to provide scholarships for plant science majors with an emphasis in agronomy.
"A&M-Commerce is most appreciative of Cereal Crop Research Inc. for taking the initiative to establish a scholarship endowment for deserving plant science students," said Randy VanDeven, A&M-Commerce vice president for advancement.
CCRI was formed in the fall of 1987 by a group of interested agricultural producers in Northeast Texas, and was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit corporation in 1988. The company's two primary objectives are to provide financial support for locally relevant applied agricultural research, and to demonstrate management techniques on a field scale that have been proven in small plot research trials.
The original idea behind CCRI came from an East Texas State University agronomist and a Texas A&M University entomologist wanting to provide encouragement for local research projects. CCRI now hopes to support active research in all applicable areas of crop production in this region and wants to be involved in the education of students to help them become successful in the industry.
"CCRI's community involvement and investment in helping our students attain a college education shows their commitment to helping people develop a positive image of agricultural production," VanDeven said. "We are proud to be associated with Cereal Crops Research Inc."