December 1, 2009 (Reston, Va.) - Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative will be offering five $1,000 scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year.

To be eligible applicants must be an employee or relative that is active on a Maryland & Virginia member farm; enrolled in a two or four-year accredited college, university or trade school; and be pursuing a career in the dairy industry. Selection is based upon leadership ability, initiative, character, and integrity; commitment to a career in the dairy industry; participation in extracurricular activities; and academic achievement and financial need.

Students interested in applying must submit an application, school transcript, letter of recommendation and a picture. Completed scholarship applications must be postmarked by February 12, 2010 and recipients will be chosen by April. Applications are available online or by calling the Communications Team at 800-552-1976.

Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative is a milk marketing and processing cooperative that represents 1,500 dairy farmer-owners from Pennsylvania to Georgia. The cooperative includes three fluid processing plants: Marva Maid in Newport News, Va., Marva Maid of Landover, Md., and Maola Milk and Ice Cream in New Bern, N.C.; manufacturing plants in Laurel, Md., and Strasburg, Va.; and a farm supply warehouse in Frederick, Md.