High school students interested in agricultural careers can learn about a variety of fields during AgVenture 2005, a unique, intense, hands-on agricultural experience sponsored annually by the Noble Foundation. This year's free program is set for June 7-10 at the Foundation's Ardmore campus. Students will be housed at the Noble Foundation's Conference Center and all meals and transportation will be provided.

"AgVenture is a unique opportunity for students to learn and experience several facets of agriculture that are related to southern Oklahoma and north Texas," said Shan Ingram, education and special projects manager in the Foundation's Agricultural Division.

"In addition to the outlined activities, students will see a commercial fish farm, scientific research and experience management and marketing via computer simulations," Ingram added.

About 20 high school students (applicants must have completed their sophomore year prior to AgVenture 2005 to be eligible for participation) with a demonstrated interest in agriculture will be selected to participate.

Applicants must live or go to school in the following counties: Oklahoma — Atoka, Bryan, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal, Comanche, Cotton, Garvin, Grady, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Lincoln, Love, Marshall, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Seminole, Stephens, Tillman; Texas — Archer, Clay, Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Jack, Lamar, Montague, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Wichita, Wise.

To get an application for AgVenture 2005, go to www.noble.org/ag/agventure/2005/ or call (580) 224-6411. Completed applications should be sent to P.O. Box 2180, Ardmore, OK 73402 and must be postmarked no later than April 15. Applicants will be notified of the committee's decisions by April 30.

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The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; providing grants to non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.

To learn more, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release