Fresh, local eggs won’t be the only things Gemperle Family Farms will be known for anymore following the announcement of the farm’s new scholarship fund, which aims to help fund higher education for children and grandchildren of Gemperle Family Farms employees.

“Helping our employees send their kids to college is one of the greatest gifts of gratitude we can give to those who have helped make our company successful,” said Gemperle Family Farms President Steve Gemperle. “When you change someone’s life with education, you have an impact for generations to come.”

Gemperle Family Farms recognizes the vital need for higher education in local Stanislaus County where only 16 percent of adults over 25 have a college degree while the remainder of California averages around 32 percent. Gemperle Family Farms feels a responsibility to help resolve this discrepancy and has pledged up to $10,000 in scholarship funds in 2016.

“We are hoping our scholarship program can serve as a model for other medium-sized companies in Stanislaus County. A lot of work needs to be done to help bridge the gap between Stanislaus County and the rest of the state,” said Gemperle. “We hope other businesses will partner with the Stanislaus Community Foundation to help families with limited financial means afford higher education.”

Awards for the Gemperle Family Farms Scholarship Fund will range from $1,000 to $3,000 per year and can be used towards education expenses such as tuition, institutional fees, books and school supplies. The scholarship awarded through the Stanislaus Community Foundation will be issued over the course of one academic year and the recipient can apply for a renewal grant for up to four years.

The Gemperle Family Farms Scholarship Fund is available to all current employees who have been employed for a minimum of three continuous years. The applicant must attend an accredited two or four-year college or university, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and maintain a continuous, full-time enrollment of at least 12 units per semester.

“The majority of our Gemperle Family Farms employees have been with us for over five years. While we already offer a generous employment package with paid vacation and holidays, health insurance and a profit-sharing and pension plan for retirement, we knew we could do more,” said Gemperle. 

To find out more information or to submit an application, visit StanislausCF.org, call 576-1608 or email mali@StanislausCF.org .The Stanislaus Community Foundation Scholarship Committee, an independent community and volunteer organization, will review and select the final applicants. Finalists will be selected based on financial need, academic merit and personal statement.