The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals. This scholarship is named in honor of the late Terry L. Vorhees, Founder and first Executive Director of the Southeast Produce Council. Because of his vision and efforts, the Southeast Produce Council became and continues to remain one of the best resources in the produce industry today.
One college-aged student (graduating high school senior or current college student) will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to their enrolling college/university. The 2nd place recipient will receive $1,500, and the 3rd place recipient will receive $1,000.
Each applicant must be/have a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing as of January 15th of the current year [Member has been on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and has personally attended at least one event (Southern Exposure and/or Southern Innovations) within the last 12 months]. Immediate family members may apply if the active member is part of a corporate membership. Members who have individual memberships are not eligible.
Each applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 semester hours).
Selection Factors Include:
- GPA (minimum of 3.0)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from high school and/or college staff, clergy, community leaders, etc.
- SAT or ACT scores
- Leadership and Community Service involvement (10 hours completed within the last 12 months)
- Quality of essay (minimum of 1000 words)
- Essay Topic: This year SEPC is celebrating The Unseen Heroes – the men and women who serve our industry by plowing fields, harvesting crops, sorting produce, loading trucks, stocking shelves, and prepping meals. Some heroes wear camouflage, but within our industry they wear coveralls, work boots, gloves, aprons, hairnets, chef coats, safety glasses, and wide-brimmed hats. In your experience, how have you witnessed the unseen side of the produce industry? What have you learned from this? What are the most admirable attributes of The Unseen Heroes in the produce industry? How can you use those attributes to impact your community positively?
*Use of AI tools or services to generate the content of essays is strictly prohibited. Essays submitted using AI formatting will be disqualified.
The application can only be submitted online through the link below. The application deadline is January 12, 2024 by 5:00 pm EST. Winners will be announced via email and on the SEPC website on February 12, 2024.
For more information, please visit our website. For questions, please contact the SEPC office at scholarships@
About Southeast Produce Council
The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) sprouted in 1999 when a shared vision for cultivating a nonprofit Southeastern-based produce organization was planted. From the first formal meeting of the SEPC where 100 agriculture, retail, and foodservice professionals gathered, we’ve flourished into a vibrant and innovative organization of over 4,000 industry professionals who reap the benefits of harvesting quality experiences guaranteed to increase the value of their membership. As with farmland, a well-cultivated industry can last for generations, and today, we continue to grow at a steady pace thanks to a broad range of backgrounds and expertise from people like you, creating a more bountiful tomorrow.
Learn the benefits of SEPC membership at seproducecouncil.com.
