FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Demetrius Arnold from Marianna was recently awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the National Black Farmers Association.

Arnold is a student in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas and is pursuing a degree in agricultural systems technology management.

The National Black Farmers Association Scholarship Program and the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Foundation awarded scholarships to support the development of a new generation of African American farmers. The NBFA is funded by the FCA Foundation.

"Empowering young people with access to knowledge in transformational," said Lesley Slavitt, head of FCA civic engagement and external affairs. "Supporting entry to higher education will ensure that future leaders galvanize the tools, skills and passion necessary to make meaningful change in the world and provide access to food security for generations."

Arnold's selection was based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership, participation in agricultural and community activities, and career goals and objectives.

He was one of 16 recipients nationally for a $5,000 scholarship while three others received $2,500 scholarships.

NBFA's education and advocacy efforts focus on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education and agricultural training, and rural economic development. The FCA Foundation invests in programs generating meaningful and measurable societal impacts in areas of education, military, diversity and youth development.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.