Monday, July 8, 2019

Evans Receives NWTF Scholarship Through National FFA

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The National Wild Turkey Federation applauds Isaac Evans of Jerome, Idaho, as the recipient of its $5,000 scholarship through the National FFA Organization.

The scholarship will help Evans advance his education as he works on his degree in wildlife biology at the College of Southern Idaho.

“Coming from a single parent household, going to college could have been a struggle on the finances,” Evans said. “I appreciate that the NWTF is willing to make sure an FFA member like myself can pursue his career goals.”

Evans managed his own pheasant brooding business – Forever Ring Pheasants – for the last three years as part of his Supervised Agricultural Experience, a requirement to obtain a Chapter FFA Degree. “I have taken an interest in wildlife conservation because I would like to preserve our population numbers,” Evans said.

Evans received an FFA grant in 2016 to encourage his interest in pheasant brooding, which has now become a 600-bird operation. Evans has won two state proficiency awards for his pheasant operation, and he is excited to hear back about how his proficiency did on a national level.

“With the pheasants, I have never had to remind him of what needs to be done, and he never complains,” said Josh Evans, Isaac’s father and FFA advisor. “He is a determined young man, and I am very excited to see where his nonstop work ethic takes him.”

During his college career, Evans hopes to intern at a pheasant farm in South Dakota or with fish and wild game in some capacity.

“I will work hard to complete my degrees and pursue a career in the wildlife management field,” Evans said.

Since 1998, the NWTF has contributed $138,000 to National FFA scholarships. State chapter support from the NWTF totals an additional $137,899 in financial contributions to FFA programs and activities.

To be eligible for the $5,000 FFA scholarship funded by the NWTF, applicants must support hunting, possess strong leadership skills, achieve high academic successes and pursue a career in the field of natural resources.

About the National Wild Turkey Federation
When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost 7 million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to conserve and enhance more than 4 million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting. For more information, visit NWTF.org