Scholarships for Education and Economic Development

The SEED (Scholarships for Education and Economic Development) Program

Since 1988, the Reedley College Agriculture and Natural Resources Department has educated about 300 exchange students from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean through a grant program formerly known as CASS, recently changed to SEED.

The Scholarships for Education and Economic Development (SEED) is a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Georgetown University's Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CEID). CEID administers the program and Reedley College serves as a training institution for SEED scholars. 

SEED provides technical training and professional training for low-income and rural students from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua and Mexico. Beyond training individuals, the SEED program's ultimate objective is to foster the development of people who will become agents of change, assuming the responsibility of sharing their knowledge and skills to produce a positive impact within their communities and countries. 

At Reedley College, SEED participants enter a two-year training program in Agriculture Business with an emphasis in Export.  Students graduate with degrees and/or certificates. In addition to their academic and technical training, Reedley College SEED students study and become proficient in English, become involved in the community through volunteer service projects, develop a Community Action Plan to be implemented upon returning to their home country.  Many also become involved in campus organizations and activities.