LORMAN — Area teens interested in learning more about agriculture and agriculture production will have an opportunity to do so with Alcorn State University this summer.

Alcorn’s Department of Agriculture will host its summer internship program, which has the goal of educating young people about agriculture’s importance, July 1 – 30.

High school students from Adams, Claiborne, Jefferson and Warren counties are eligible to participate, but only 20 students will be chosen for the program.

“As a land-grant university, ASU has the responsibility of producing food and agriculture scientists, whose services are needed in the state, nation and world,” said Program Director Patrick Igbokwe in a statement. “It is therefore important that the School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences communicates a positive image of agriculture to the prospective college students.

“The long-term future of agriculture and agriculture extension programs depends on how successfully we recruit and educate young people,” he said.

Students who want to apply for the program must be high school juniors or seniors, have an ACT score of 18 or higher, a 3.0 grade point average and two letters of recommendation.

They will also have to submit an essay titled “Why I want to Participate in the 2010 Summer Apprenticeship Program at Alcorn State University.”

Applications, which are available at www.alcorn.edu, should be submitted by May 28.

Applications should be mailed to Zulma Cuadra, Alcorn State University, 1000 ASU Drive, No. 750, Alcorn State, MS 39096.

For additional information, contact Igbokwe at 601-877-6542.