Foundation Mission Statement
Positively impacting the future of California agriculture through competitive learning, scholarships, education, agricultural events, and public outreach.
Award Purpose:
An educational and experience-based “Merit” program for youth in California.
The Harvest of Merit Award Program provides funding and other in-kind support to assist Award recipients for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to essential and unavoidable expenses as well as personal growth and life skill maturity.
Assistance may include but is not limited to resources for the purchase, care, and feeding of animals; construction and related costs and development of agricultural mechanic and/or ag technology projects: input costs related to plant and crop science programs and costs related to the successful pursuit of experiences in Culinary/Food sciences such as training, supply provisions, tuition, group learning, and other endeavors.
Source of the Awards:
The Golden State Agricultural Foundation
(Award Donor Opportunities Available)
Qualifications, Requirements, and Merit Award Categories:
Each applicant is limited to one application in a single year.
The entire application and all requirements must be completed as noted.
Applicant must be a current resident of California and currently 12 years of age to 21 years of age on January 1 of award year.
Applicant must have an active interest in at least one of the following categories (experience not required) and planning to be engaged in food production/processing, horticulture, technology and/or delivery of these products/services through education or experience within a chosen category:
- Livestock/Animal Agriculture production-Breeding and Market categories for Beef Cattle, Sheep, Swine, and Meat Goats.
- Dairy Production projects and/or Dairy Food Processing projects for Dairy Cattle (including Dairy Heifers/veal calves, Dairy Goats, and Sheep is also available)
- Agricultural Mechanics/Technology
- Tractor Restoration
- Culinary/food science endeavors
- Plant/Crop Science
- Small Stock
- Apiary/Bee Keeping
Applicants must be specific as to the category of interest, providing as much detail as possible within the application. The Award Dollar Value of each category will vary. Recipients "may" receive assistance through a combination of check(s), value coupons, vouchers for exchange (i.e., feed, supplement, tools, semen, etc.), purchase or lease credit or discounts and/or actual product/plants/animals/supplies/equipment.
Award Value range provided within each category:
- $1,000- $3,000 (Breeding and Market Beef; Breeding and Market Swine, Breeding and Market Sheep and Breeding and Market Meat Goats)
- $750- $3,000 (All segments of Dairy Cattle production, Dairy Goat production and Sheep producing milk for dairy food products). Consideration of GSAF payment to winner and reporting requirements will be evaluated on a case-by- case basis for Dairy Heifer projects when project is operated over a two-year term.
- $1,000- $2,000 (All Ag Mech and Ag Technology)
- $1,000- $2,500 (Tractor Restoration)
- $750 - $1,000 (Culinary or food science-based School/Training/Tuition/Expo participation /Certification)
- $750-$1,500 (Any categories of plant/crop science projects)
- $750 -$1,500 (poultry/rabbit/gamebird/waterfowl)
- $1,000-$2,000 (Apiary/Bee Keeping)
Note: Additional funds may be available for those applicants that have immediate family members currently serving in the armed forces or veterans of the nation’s armed forces. Proof of service must be provided.
Applicant must have purposeful and specific goals related to the category of interest.
Each applicant must provide the name and contact information of a designated adult
Project Mentor (not an immediate family member). The mentor shall provide advice and expertise within the applicant's chosen category of selection and provide guidance in the preparation of required reports to the Foundation.
• The applicant must provide Two (2) Merit Award Reference letters. These must be completed by two (2) separate people and may not be an immediate family member. Each letter must be signed and submitted electronically to the GSAF website by the official deadline to www.goldenstateag.com.
Source of the two letters required:
One must be provided by the mentor and one by another adult (over 21 years of age). Letters cannot be from an immediate family member. Letter Submission Form can be accessed at the link below or the 'Harvest of Merit Award' page on our website at goldenstateag.com. Make sure to provide the link to your mentor and second person of reference. Letters must be submitted by the deadline of this application.
form.jotform.com/Golden_State_Agricultural/letters-of-recommendation
Reference letters shall be written based upon the following criteria: You are asked to write a letter of reference that gives our judges a better understanding of who the applicant is and what they are passionate about. Explain why the applicant deserves a Harvest of Merit Award. Essential financial needs will be considered. Be specific about what the financial needs are as well as other necessities and requirements for the applicant to have a successful experience. Provide us with any other information you believe will help in our decision.
If you are the mentor, your relationship with the student is an important aspect of the Harvest of Merit Award. Please explain how YOU will actively participate in the successful completion of the project.
AWARD RECIPIENT REQUIREMENTS:
Monthly Updates
We will send you a Google Form via email each month. This form will ask for progress updates on your project, and we ask that you respond within one week of receiving it. You'll need to share photos and videos that show how you're using the award funds. For example, you can share:
Pictures or videos of you working with/on your project.
Pictures or videos of you with your finished project.
Pictures or videos of you competing at an event with your project.
We love to see your progress and share it on our social media! Check out our Facebook page, Golden State Ag Foundation, and Instagram profile, goldenstateag, for examples of what other recipients have shared.
Harvest of Merit Banner
If you are a Harvest of Merit recipient, you will receive a banner to honor your achievement. We ask that you display this banner whenever you are representing your project at events, fairs, or anywhere else it is promoted to the public.
Thank You Notes
Handwritten thank you notes are required for your award sponsors. We will provide you with the necessary addresses. These notes are a crucial step in the process, as your award wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.
Additional Notes:
All Merit recipients must provide handwritten thank you cards to their sponsors (GSAF, In-Kind products/service providers, those sponsors secured by the winner) and mentor at the conclusion of the project, each year. The Foundation will provide a list and instructions. Proof of cards sent must be provided to the GSAF. Send electronic copies no later than November 30 of the awarded year to, contact@goldenstateag.com
Applicant finalists must be available for a “possible” virtual personal interview before award recipients are announced.
All completed applications, all required attachments/documents, and all other listed requirements must be submitted electronically no later than 11:45 PM October 15, of
the application year to The Golden State Agricultural Foundation website, at goldenstateag.com
ALL applications required attachments, and letters must be submitted electronically. Hard copy submissions will not be accepted. No late applications will be accepted.
Selection of Recipient(s):
The Harvest of Merit Award Committee will evaluate applications and make any finalist selections based on the following:
Evaluation Matrix
100 Points - Applicants Story: Goals, Enthusiasm, and Planned Utilization of Award Resources Received
50 Points - Applicant’s Essential Need & Mentor Commitment to Secure Experience Success
40 Points - Letters of Recommendation
40 Points - Budget
10 Points - Community, School, Church, Club, Show, Sports, Work Experience (Paid & Volunteer) Involvement
10 Points - Application Content, Neatness, and Grammar
250 Total Points Available
Announcement and Disbursement of Award(s):
Award(s) will be made available by the Foundation to the Award winner(s) upon confirmation of information provided and after January 1, 2026.
Applicants to Complete the Following:
The application can be found at www.goldenstateag.com.
Date:
Applicant Printed Name: Mailing Address:
Cell Number:
Email:
Current Age & Date of Birth: Present School & Grade:
Category Selected for my Award:
Limited to one category:
Livestock/Animal Agriculture Production
Meat Livestock
Dairy Animals/Dairy-based foods
Agricultural Mechanics/Technology
Tractor Restoration
Culinary/Food Science Endeavors
Plant/Crop Science
Small Stock
Appiary/Bee Keeping
Complete All of the Following:
Note: The addresses provided must be mailing addresses in all cases.
Name, mailing address, phone and email of Father or Guardian:
Name, mailing address, phone and email of Mother or Guardian:
Name, mailing address, phone number, and email of adult project Mentor: (not immediate family member):
List work experience (if any), including paid or volunteer work and/or experience at home/school/club:
What financial assistance or other resources (i.e., barn, pens, equipment, animal, supplies, seed, feed, etc.) will be available to you beyond this award? Assume for this purpose, you would receive the minimum value within your category chosen.
Please list your activities, memberships, and honors or awards in any organizations, school, church, sports, shows, etc. (i.e., school, livestock/agricultural organizations, etc.). Include 4- H/FFA engagement (if any) as well as your leadership and community service experience.
Provide an estimate and operating budget of your expenses and projected revenues (if any) for the coming calendar year(s) based on the category you have selected. (i.e., Animal purchase, feed, seed, supplies, training, veterinary care, fertilizer, materials, supplies, equipment, training, etc.) What is your greatest financial need for your category of interest and why? Applicants should provide an attachment for their budget. This operating budget is worth 40 points on your evaluation Matrix.
Your Goals and Personal Story:
Getting started or enhancing a project or experience endeavor may require significant investment (time, money, responsibility, and commitment).
You are asked to write a story that gives our judges a better understanding of who you are and what you are passionate about. Your personal story (minimum of 500 words) must explain why you deserve a Harvest of Merit Award. Your essential financial need will be considered. Include your goals and explain the size and scope of your plans (past, present, and future) as well as any agricultural experiences you have thus far.
Be creative and specific as you elaborate on how you will utilize a Harvest of Merit Award to achieve your goals.
Be specific as well about what your financial needs are as well as other necessities and essential element requirements to have a successful experience. Include the knowledge, skills, and new/improved experiences you hope to gain from your project.
The essay should be well-organized and grammatically correct. Please paste your story in the box, and then sign the following box.
Your story is worth 100 points in the evaluation Matrix.
Certification and Release of Information:
I certify that all information on this application is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I have read, agree, and understand the requirements and qualifications within this application.
I understand that if I am selected as a winner, it is my responsibility to keep my mentor and the Foundation apprised of my progress. I understand that if I do not complete the requirements apprised of the Harvest of Merit Award Program, I will return all Merit Award monies and other forms of value advanced to me. I understand that I cannot apply for this award category again in the future. I also understand that I may not transfer an award.
I further understand the following:
1. I will receive notification if I am selected as an award recipient by the Foundation with the total award value I am to receive.
2. My award value may include checks, vouchers, coupons, discounts, actual product, animals, or other forms of value.
3. The Foundation is only committed to the award as they will outline in my award notification correspondence from the Foundation. It is my responsibility to provide all resources necessary beyond the award value provided to me in order to successfully complete my project. This includes but is not limited to arranging for and securing any goods and services offered. My own resources may include but are not limited to animal housing, land, transportation, equipment, supplies, and communication tools.
Revocation:
If the Award monies or other value offerings are not claimed within a year from notification of the award, the Committee reserves the right to revoke the Award.
I hereby authorize the above Foundations to publicly acknowledge the Merit award I receive, by including my name and my photograph and my electronically submitted videos/interviews.
Signatures: Applicant
Applicant Signature:________________________________________
Printed Name:____________________________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian
I hereby agree to permit my son or daughter to apply for the Harvest of Merit Award. If he or she is selected as a winner, I will offer reasonable help and encouragement to see this project through to a successful conclusion.
I hereby authorize the above Foundation to publicly acknowledge the Merit award my son/daughter receives by including their name and photograph and their electronically submitted videos/interviews.
Parent or Legal Guardian Signature: ______________________________ Printed Name: ___________________________________
Mentor
As Mentor, I agree to advise the applicant in the spirit of the program and offer reasonable help and encouragement to see this project through to a successful conclusion.
Mentor Signature: __________________________________________
Printed Name: __________________________________________
Submission
All completed applications, all required attachments/documents and all other listed requirements must be submitted electronically (no exceptions) no later than 11:45 PM October 15, of the application year to The Golden State Agricultural Foundation at goldenstateag.com.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications and all required documents no later than 24 hours prior to the October 15 deadline to avoid a last-minute rush and to ensure your application is submitted in time.