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YAKIMA, Wash. — Yakima Valley Community College students interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry have a new scholarship opportunity to take advantage of.
New, full-time students entering the college’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program this fall or in winter 2026 can apply for a scholarship of up to $1,750. Trent Ball, the college’s agriculture department chair, said the program hasn’t had the money to offer this in the past and that the goal is to get students interested in the industry.
“This really opens the door for someone who’s been thinking about it,” Ball said. “They can still get access to some funds and get started in a great program with some amazing careers.”
This time of year, Ball said, is a “scholarship dead zone” and the college’s offerings will help support those who may have missed the deadlines for earlier scholarships. He estimated that the program will be able to offer scholarships to between three to eight students.
Encouraging students to work in the wine industry, he said, benefits the area’s economy.
“The grape and wine industry is very important to the state of Washington,” Ball said. “That brings value added to the community, to the region, it brings in tourism – and that’s why it has such a big impact on our state.”
The deadline to apply for fall classes and the scholarship is August 12. A committee will review the applications, and awardees are expected to be notified in early September.
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