20
Scholars Pilot Year
Over 10
MAES Network Placements
$2k
Scholarship
56
Montana Counties
About the program
Built for students who are serious about agriculture.
GROW is a scholars program at Montana State University's College of Agriculture. We recruit students before they graduate high school, connect them to paid research placements at Montana State University's Agricultural Experiment Centers, and build a cohort that supports them all the way through graduation.
This is not a scholarship you receive and forget about. It is a relationship — between you, the program, and the people who will mentor you through one of the most important transitions of your life.
GROW is open to any student with an interest in agriculture, life sciences, or natural resources — regardless of background. What matters is curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to work.
The more you learn, the more you earn. More perspective, more opportunity, more ability to show up for the people and places you care about. MSU's College of Agriculture is the best place in the state to do that — in and out of the classroom.
"This program exists because Montana needs more people who understand this life and the land. GROW is how we build that...one scholar at a time."
Joe Lackman, GROW Program Director
How it works
The GROW journey - from high school to career.
Grow starts before college. Here is what the path looks like.
01
Commit
Before Graduation
Commit to attending MSU's College of Agriculture and apply to the GROW program. Accepted students agree to a summer research placement.
02
Place
Summer Before Freshman Year
Arrive at your assigned Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. Work up to 40 hours per week under faculty supervision. Earn a wage doing real research.
03
Earn + Learn
During College
Work up to 20 hours per week during the school year, earn your $2,000 scholarship, and participate in cohort orientation and professional development.
04
Grow
Successive Summers
Continue building experience at your MAES center or through other agricultural research, and industry opportunities coordinated with your Program Director.
05
Belong
Through Graduation
Graduate with years of paid research experience, a professional network, and a cohort of fellow GROW Scholars who have gone through it all with you.
The MAES network
Statewide reach. One program
GROW placements span the full geographic breadth of Montana from the Flathead Valley to the Yellowstone to the Plains of Eastern Montana.
Scholar benefits
Everything a GROW Scholar receives
Incoming Scholarship
Every active GROW Scholar in good standing receives scholarship support.
$2,000 Scholarship
Paid Summer Research
Work at a Montana Agricultural Experiment Station each summer. Supervised by faculty and staff. Earning a wage.
Up to 40 hrs/week
Academic Year Employment
Work under a faculty or staff member during the school year balancing research experience with your coursework.
Up to 20 hrs/week
Mentored Research Experience
Direct supervision from MSU faculty and MAES staff in crop, livestock, or rangeland systems across Montana.
Real work, not shadowing
Cohort Community
Orientation, workshops, immersion activities, and peer mentorship. A community built to last all four years.
From day one
Career Head Start
Graduate with years of paid research experience, a professional network, and a clear direction in agricultural careers.
Before graduation
For Educators, Families & Industry
Bring Montana State University's College of Agriculture to You
Montana's future depends on people who know this land, this industry, and the communities that rely on it. Growth through Research, Opportunities, and Work (GROW) serves as the bridge between communities and the College of Agriculture helping students find their path, and helping agriculture find its next generation.
Request a Speaker
We come to your classroom, or community to share real stories about agriculture, college pathways, and opportunities waiting at MSU.
Industry & Conference Partnerships
We partner with industry groups and events across Montana to speak, listen, and connect the next generation of students to the future of agriculture.
Host a GROW Info Session
We bring the GROW Program to your community so students and families can understand what it is, how it works, and what it could mean for them.
Donor & Philanthropy Engagement
We engage donors, alumni, and philanthropic partners by sharing the real impact of their investment in Montana State University's College of Agriculture. These conversations highlight student stories, workforce needs, and how philanthropy directly strengthens Montana's agricultural future.
Partner with Us:
To discuss giving opportunities, strategic investments, or ways to support students and programs in the College of Agriculture, please contact our team.
CHS Foundation - Founding Partner
The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., is focused on developing a new generation of agriculture leaders for life-long success. Together, with our partners, we are igniting innovation and driving excellence in agriculture education, cultivating high-impact programs for rural youth and accelerating potential for careers in agriculture. Learn more at chsfoundation.org.
Ready to get started?
Begin your journey as a GROW Scholar and gain access to research experiences, mentorship, and support throughout your time at Montana State University.