Jim Graham Leadership Scholarship
Every year, CCNC offers a $1,000 Leadership Scholarship to a past Cooperative Leadership Camp attendee in honor of "The Sodfather," Jim Graham.
$1,000 College Scholarship
View eligibility requirements
View application instructions
All applications are reviewed by a scholarship committee according to an established rubric of criteria.
A scholarship recipient will be selected based on the student's understanding of the cooperative movement, leadership skills, extracurricular activities, community involvement and demonstration of self-motivation.
Are you a mentor writing a letter of recommendation for a student applicant? Please read this.
2024 applications are now closed.
Applications for 2025 graduates will open Fall 2024.
Jim Graham Scholarship Awardees
We're proud of past scholarship recipients!
Scarlett Votaw
2024 Recipient
Sponsor: Four County EMC
Rose Hill, NC
View Scarlet's acceptance video
Karlie Keepfer
2023 Recipient
Sponsor: SkyLine SkyBest
West Jefferson, NC
Gabriel Butler
2023 Recipient
Sponsor: Carteret-Craven EMC
Havelock, NC
Melaney Caudill
2022 Recipient
Sponsor: Carolinas Credit Union League Raleigh, NC
Tyler Gupton
2021 Recipient
Sponsor: Roanoke Electric Cooperative
Ahoskie, NC
Ty Randleman
2019 Recipient
Sponsor: Star Communications
Clinton, NC
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Autumn Biggie
2018 Recipient
Sponsor: Ag Carolina Farm Credit
Raleigh, NC
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Anna Curry
2017 Recipient
Sponsor: Cooperative Council of NC
Raleigh, NC
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James Allen Graham
1921-2003
James “Jim” Allen Graham personified North Carolina agriculture for nearly 40 years, serving as the longest agriculture commissioner for the state. This earned him the nickname “The Sodfather,” and induction into the North Carolina Agricultural Hall of Fame. Jim believed in youth education and our Cooperative Leadership Camp. He even visited one summer by way of helicopter!