For many students in rice-growing country, promoting the importance of U.S.-grown rice is the continuation of a family tradition. USA Rice Federation provides an opportunity for their enthusiasm and creativity to pay off, with scholarship awards presented to students who conduct rice promotions in their local communities during September National Rice Month.

Three scholarship prizes totaling $8,500 are available through the National Rice Month Scholarship program. The grand prize is a $4,000 scholarship and a trip for the grand prizewinner and a chaperone to the 2009 USA Rice Outlook Conference, Dec. 9-11 in New Orleans for the scholarship presentation.

Additional prizes are $3,000 for second place, and 1,500 for third place.

September marks the 19th annual National Rice Month celebration — a time for America to salute its rice farmers, millers and everyone else involved in the U.S. rice industry.

National Rice Month was initiated by an act of Congress in 1991 and is sponsored by the USA Rice Federation.

For more information and a scholarship contest entry form, visit www.usarice.com.