Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association hosts the Saturday March 15th, 8 a.m. Legislative Coffee with State legislators at the Bricker Room in the Safety Center, 400 W Sheridan Avenue. Coffee and Donut Stop donuts will be served.

SCIA Agriculture Future of America Scholarships, Apply Now Thru March 6 Online

      Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association Ag Committee and Agriculture Future of America join forces each year to support an agricultural scholarship program. Applications are now being accepted online at the website www.agfuture.org under the Scholarship tab through March 6, 2025.

     This year the SCIA Ag Committee will award up to two scholarships. AFA matches community funds, now being raised by the SCIA Ag Committee, to offer $4,675 in each scholarship, including $3,200 academic scholarship and the remainder is to cover the AFA Leaders Conference expenses in Kansas City the following November.

     Qualified applicants are Shenandoah, Sidney or Essex high school seniors who will pursue a degree in agriculture or any related field at an accredited college or university. Many majors qualify if they will be applied to the agriculture industry, such as…business, chemistry, horticulture, animal science, education, computer science etc.

    The application process also includes an essay sharing the applicant’s personal vision for agriculture and why they are interested in an agricultural career. An interview will be conducted soon after March 6th at the SCIA office, 619 W. Sheridan Avenue. Applications must be posted online by March 6th so they can set up interview times. The link to the application is http://www.agfuture.org then click on the community partner scholarship.

    The goal of the AFA Scholarship is to identify students with strong potential. Students are also scored on community service and citizenship, activities, work experience, family need, references, grade point (3.0 and above) and student rank. The Essay has the greatest weight in scoring applicants.

    The Scholarship winners will be announced at the SCIA Annual Meeting and Ag Banquet to be held later this summer. SCIA Ag Committee members are now gathering donations for the Agriculture Future of America scholarship. Agriculture Future of America Foundation provides $2,225 to match $2,450 raised locally for each scholarship. Businesses and individuals that wish to contribute should contact SCIA at 246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com or drop off a check. Checks should be made to Greater Shenandoah Foundation.

12^th Annual Shenandoah Chocolate Walk February 7th & 8th  

     Shenandoah kicks off the Valentine Day holiday with a two-day Chocolate Walk Friday February 7^th and Saturday February 8^th. Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association businesses are giving shoppers an opportunity to indulge in chocolate treats and win over 30 prizes. The 12^th annual event includes a drawing party on February 8^th at the Depot Restaurant and free handmade chocolate bars by the Sugar Makery.

     Shoppers can sample chocolate of all sorts in stores as they shop for Valentines gifts both days. It’s an ideal time to shop for valentine gifts, order flowers for your sweetheart or make dinner reservations at restaurants. Shoppers will pick up entry forms in participating businesses for the drawing and bring entries to the drawing party at The Depot 101 Railroad Street 4-6pm. Free appetizers and wine tasting will be available. Drawings for prizes will begin at 5p.m. Customers must be present to win.

    Drawing prizes include eight $25 SCIA Chamber Gift Certificates, a stay at Shenandoah Inn & Suites Hotel in the whirlpool suite with gift basket, movie passes to Legacy 3 Theater, many other items and businesses gift certificates. Over 30 prizes will be awarded to those who bring in entry forms from businesses.

  Shop the Chocolate Walk during regular business hours, sample chocolate and pickup entry forms at these SCIA Businesses: Depot Restaurant 101 Railroad Street, Paper Trail 709 W Sheridan Avenue, Angel Care Home Health 717 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Inn & Suites Hotel 620 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Floral 514 W Sheridan Avenue, County Line Design 506 W Sheridan Avenue, Serenity Studio Flowers & Spa 110 S Elm Street, Brown’s Shoe Fit Store 611 W Sheridan Avenue, Shenandoah Medical Center Gift Shop 300 Pershing Avenue, US Cellular Advantage 104 S Fremont Steet, Farmer’s Daughters Flowers & Vintage 720 W Sheridan Avenue, Sugar Makery 708 S Fremont Street, Legacy 3 Theater 712 W Sheridan Avenue.

       Prizes are provided by Chocolate Walk stops and these additional SCIA businesses: City Fitness Center, Fareway, El Porton Mexican Grill, Once Again, The Sanctuary Restaurant, Walmart, and more.

     Valentine themed t-shirts can be purchased at County Line Design 506 W Sheridan Avenue. The Mill at 818 W Sheridan Avenue is hosting Valentine vendors February 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact SCIA for more information or stop by the SCIA office at 619 W Sheridan Avenue to pick-up a list of the participating stores and prizes or see the Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Facebook page and website www.sciaiowa.com.