Each year the Hereford Youth Foundation of America awards more than $200,000 of scholarships to deserving National Junior Hereford Association members. Applications for Fall HYFA scholarships are due Sept. 1 and will be awarded virtually prior to the American Hereford Association’s Annual Meeting. Spring scholarship applications are due April 1 and will be awarded at the Junior National Hereford Expo. Each scholarship has its own unique history created by generous donors of the Hereford breed. Learn more HERE.
The Hereford Youth Foundation of America scholarship program is designed to provide recognition for outstanding members of the National Junior Hereford Association. Its purpose is to encourage individual and cooperative effort, enthusiasm, excellence, leadership, academic success and achievement among youth and to develop successful individuals as good leaders for both the Hereford breed and the beef industry.
Fall HYFA Scholarships Include:
Deadline is Sept. 1.
Gary Bishop, an Oklahoma native, first began working for the American Hereford Association in 1973 serving in the capacities of assistant director of Total Performance Records, director of feedlot and carcass programs and director of field services. He also served as director of youth activities, a job that he held in high esteem throughout his life, as he dedicated much of his energy working for the betterment of the Hereford youth organization.
A former junior director sums up Gary’s impact with this statement: “I and many others who were privileged to know and learn from (Gary). We will honor him by continuing to practice the inspiring characteristics that he taught. I was terribly shy, but he never gave up on me and kept pushing me out there until I realized that I could do it. It’s hard to think of anybody who loved raising good cattle and helping good kids more than Gary Bishop.”
Bishop left the AHA in 1983 to manage the family’s large purebred and commercial Hereford ranching operation in Montana. He was actively engaged in community organizations, particularly his church and the 4-H program. Alway sinnovative and in pursuit of a new challenge, he helped many youths step out of their comfort zone to reach new heights. He rejoined AHA in 2000 as director of breed improvement.
Gary passed away Dec. 17, 2002, after fighting a battle with cancer that he met with strength and determination. His many friends called him hard working, dedicated, faithful, determined, a perfectionist and a true gentleman who came to work each day until the end with a gentle smile on his face and ready to face the challenges of the day; a man of principle, whose character was complemented by his capability; that he was a friend to all who knew him and always had kind words to say- even when the going got tough. This scholarship is designed to recognize those youth who demonstrate many of the same qualities that Gary demonstrated.
A $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to a deserving member of the NJHA to continue financing their college education. This scholarship will be funded through the Hereford Youth Foundation of America.
Requirements and process are listed on the HYFA Fall Scholarship Application, including any special notes for different requirements per scholarship.
Deadline is Sept. 1.
The newest scholarship endowment is from the Merry family and MGM Polled Herefords of Hartford, Wis. MGM West – owned by Marian and Gordon Merry – began in 1956 with two cows. Gordon and his wife, Marian, used the MGM acronym for their farm name and had five children to show cattle under that prefix – contributing to a string of success for the family.
Gordon Merry got his start in registered polled Herefords on his own in 1955 after graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in 1954. Gordon was the second generation of what has become five generations of Merry Polled Hereford breeders. The Wisconsin Hereford Association honored Gordon as a life-long member with a 50 year-Gold Breeder Award. Of all the ribbons, titles and trophies that Gordon Merry earned over his 50+ years as a Gold Breeder, he shared the most satisfying of all his accomplishments was the friendship of fellow breeders and preservation of family tradition and involvement in the breed.
After Gordon and Marian passed away, the family asked in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the couple’s endowment to the MGM scholarship fund which will be given to veterinary students with an interest in Hereford cattle.
MGM Polled Herefords believe the future of agriculture lies in the hands of our industry’s hard-working youth. The Merry family recognizes the dedication required from young people to raise and exhibit livestock and they wish to reward juniors who are passionate about Hereford cattle.
Requirements and process are listed on the HYFA Fall Scholarship Application, including any special notes for different requirements per scholarship.
Deadline is Sept. 1
The Ostgaard-Breiner Scholarship will issue 2-$1,500.00 scholarships. The scholarship will be awarded in the fall along with the other HYFA/NJHA Scholarships. The scholarship is for non-traditional students wanting to go into a technical field, graduate school, trade school, certification or other acceptable program. The scholarship can be applied for if the recipient or family member is a member of the National Hereford Women (NHW), American Hereford Association (AHA), or National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA). A recipient can receive the scholarship a maximum of two times. If a first-year recipient wishes to apply for a second year, a transcript will be required. The age of the recipient will be over 17 with no upper age limit.
SCHOLARSHIP BACKGROUND
In 2019, the National Hereford Women (NHW) Board of Directors lost two of their beloved board members. Mrs. Sandra Adams Ostgaard of Dayton, Ohio passed away on June 9, 2019. Sandra was incredibly active with the Hereford Breed. In addition to serving on the NHW Board she also served as the Ohio Hereford Women President and as an Ohio Hereford Junior Advisor. She grew up showing Herefords and passed her love of the breed to her children and her grandchildren. Sandra was a retired teacher who taught High School Home Economics and Elementary Grades. Sandra held education of all forms in high regards. Mrs. Callea Mae Breiner of Alma, Kansas passed away on Dec 19, 2019. Callea was not only active on the NHW board but was also active in the Kansas Hereford Association and served as a local community 4-H Club Leader. Her love for the Hereford breed continues to be carried on by her husband and sons. Callea was an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. Callea had a love to learn as reflected through her successful pursuit in receiving her Doctorates degree.
Requirements and process are listed on the HYFA Fall Scholarship Application, including any special notes for different requirements per scholarship.
Deadline is Sept. 1
The Western States Hereford Association (WSHA) offers scholarship opportunities to provide tuition assistance to current or former Junior Hereford Association members pursuing postsecondary education. These opportunities encourage leadership, sportsmanship, herdsmanship and academic success for young Hereford enthusiasts.
There will be a minimum of one scholarship awarded each year (the total number of awards and amounts will be determined by the scholarship committee based on funds available). Applications are due November 1.
Awards will be announced at the Western States National Hereford Show in Reno, Nev., in December. WSHA funds are invested with the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and scholarship award payments will be provided by HYFA on the recipient’s behalf to the college, university, trade, or professional school they will be attending in the spring term. Award recipients may reapply for an award if they meet the criteria.
Western States Hereford Association Scholarships Include:
During the 2015 Western States National Hereford Show and Sale, which celebrated the 50th Nugget Hereford Event, funds were donated in recognition of long time Nugget Casino owner, rancher and Hereford advocate, John Ascuaga. It was determined that those funds should be in support of Hereford Youth in pursuit of a college education. Thus, the John Ascuaga Scholarship was established and awarded for the first time in 2016. It has been awarded annually ever since.
During the 2021 Western States National Hereford Show and Sale, a scholarship fund was established in honor of Willard Wolf. Willard had a career spanning over 33 years with the American Hereford Association serving the Western Region and touched countless lives of people involved with Hereford cattle even after his retirement. He was instrumental in organizing the show and sale formerly known as the “Nugget” and now the Western States National Hereford Show and Sale. He also took action that established the junior show that is part of the annual event. Willard was respected by those who had the opportunity to know him and through this scholarship his legacy will continue. The first award in his name was provided in 2022.
Requirements and process are listed on the Scholarship Application, including any special notes for different requirements per scholarship.
Deadline is Nov. 1.
The family of John and Estelle Matasovic originally established the OXO World Traveler scholarship in memory of their parents through the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. The scholarship was designed to award exceptional Hereford youth with the opportunity to travel to the World Hereford Conference every four years at various destinations around the world and to serve as an ambassador of the American Hereford Association (AHA) on the tour group traveling throughout the host country.
The 2024 World Hereford Conference will be held in Kansas City, Mo. Details regarding the 2024 conference will be coming soon.
Requirements and process are listed on the HYFA Fall Scholarship Application, including any special notes for different requirements per scholarship.
Deadline is Sept. 1, 2023.
Deadline is April 1.
Apply Now
Applicant must fulfill additional questions on the application pertaining to their own Hereford operation and the trip the winner will receive.
NJHA directors are ineligible to apply.
Applicant must be interested in pursuing a career related to agriculture or a field directly related to the Hereford industry.
Applicant must be interested in pursuing a career related to agriculture or a field directly related to the Hereford industry. Ohio/Kentucky junior members will be given advantage in a close ranking.
Deadline is April 1.
Apply Now
