The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) Cares Foundation Scholarship Program stands as a testament to the organization’s deep-rooted commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders within the dairy industry. For over 15 years, this vital program has been nurturing bright minds and fueling their passion for dairy, offering crucial financial support to outstanding students dedicated to careers in this essential sector.
Recognizing and Empowering Dairy’s Future Workforce
At the heart of the DFA Cares Foundation is a clear mission: to invest in the education of promising individuals who will drive innovation and sustainability in the dairy industry for years to come. The scholarship program is a cornerstone of this mission, designed to identify and reward students who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a genuine enthusiasm for and dedication to the dairy world.
The selection process for the DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship is rigorous, focusing on a holistic evaluation of each applicant. Key criteria include a demonstrated commitment to a dairy industry career, active participation in extracurricular activities, notable awards and relevant work experience, and a strong record of academic achievement. This comprehensive approach ensures that scholarships are awarded to well-rounded individuals who possess the potential to become impactful leaders.
This year, the DFA Cares Foundation scholarship committee proudly recognized 64 exceptional students, awarding a total of $83,000 in scholarships. These recipients, spanning pre-college, undergraduate, and graduate levels, represent the diverse talent and ambition within the dairy industry’s future workforce.
Meet the 2023/2024 DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship Recipients
The following students have been awarded scholarships based on their outstanding qualifications and dedication to the dairy sector:
Pre-College Scholarship Recipients:
- Lauren Dolezal, Danube, Minn., North Dakota State University, Animal Science
- Erica Li, Clifton, Texas, University of Texas, Business
- Juliana Bluhm, Watkinsville, Ga., Georgia Institute of Technology, Agricultural Engineering
- Tymrie Collier, Snyder, Texas, Texas Tech University, Agribusiness
- Garret Fincham, Marysville, Kan., Kansas State University or University of Nebraska, Mechanical Engineering
- Lilly Mills, Canastota, N.Y., Cornell University, Animal Science
- Makenzie Mendes, Escalon, Calif., Texas A&M or California Polytechnic State University, Agribusiness
- Brooke Hilgenkamp, Arlington, Neb., Kansas State University, Animal Science
- Wesley Winch, Fennimore, Wis., Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Animal Science
- Zoe Vanrijn, Deford, Mich., Undecided, Animal Science
- Wyatt Schlauch, Big Prairie, Ohio, Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, Dairy Production and Management
- Chloee Clark, Morgan, Utah, Brigham Young University, Family Studies
- Grace Folkema, Fremont, Mich., Michigan Technological University, Chemistry
- Julianne Jones, Pendleton, Ore., Utah State University, Agriculture
- Kaleb Heins, Morris, Minn., University of Minnesota, Animal Science
- Luke Anderson, Seguin, Texas, Texas A&M University, Plant and Soil Science
- Lee Graft, Americus, Ga., Cornell University, Dairy Production
- Kassidy Steinmann, Deansboro, N.Y., State University of New York (SUNY) at Morrisville/Cobleskill, Agricultural Business
- Lajuana Hilton, Florence, Texas, Texas A&M University, Animal Science
- Ashley Brandel, Lake Mills, Wis., University of River Falls, Dairy Science
- Chloe Breunig, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., University of Wisconsin, Dairy Science
- Kathryne Kilbourn, Roaring Branch, Pa., Pennsylvania State University, Agricultural Extension and Education
- Zachary Johnson, Tunbridge, Vt., Undecided, Animal Science
- Lillian Agueda, Hickman, Calif., California State University, Agricultural Education
- Ryan Uphaus, Seneca, Kan., Kansas State University, Chemical Engineering
- Madison Seyb, Johnson, Kan., Kansas State University, Animal Science
- Emma Parrigon, Stotts City, Mo., Missouri State University, Agricultural Communications
- Evan Espenshade, Bainbridge, Pa., Undecided, Dairy Science
- Lily Ferry, Westport, Mass., Undecided, Animal Science
- Natalie Haase, Parker, S.D., South Dakota State University, Agricultural Business
- Claire Woeppel, Chambers, Neb., University of Nebraska, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
- Avery Kerrick, Greenwood, Del., Delaware Valley University, Secondary Education and Agriculture
- Jayden Taylor, Gilmer, Texas, Tarleton State University, Agribusiness
Undergraduate Scholarship Recipients:
- Kylie Konyn, Madison, Wis., University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dairy Science
- Katie Hebdon, Nampa, Idaho, University of Idaho, Agricultural Economics
- Bethany Knutsen, Harrington, Del., University of Delaware, Plant Science
- Krista Carlton, Little Plymouth, Va., Virginia Tech, Animal and Poultry Sciences
- Abbygail Schlough, Falcon Heights, Minn., University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Agricultural Education and Animal Science
- Sarah Diehl, Blacksburg, Va., Virginia Tech University, Dairy Science
- Carrie Rhoades, Greenville, Ohio, Oklahoma State University, Agricultural Education
- Ellie Dyt, Crows Landing, Calif., California Polytechnic State University, Agricultural Business
- Kelsey Hardy, Madison, Wis., University of Wisconsin–Madison, Dairy Science
- Haven Hileman, Stout, Ohio, Ohio State University, Animal Science
- Whitley Robey, Blacksburg, Va., Virginia Tech University, Dairy Science
- Payson Rienhardt, Exeter, Mass., University of Maine, Forestry
- Kayla Atherton, Greenwood, N.Y., SUNY, Animal Science
- Thomas Palla, Clovis, N.M., Oklahoma State University, Animal Science
- Elizabeth Hyman, Okemos, Mich., Michigan State University, Animal Science
- Emma Peila, Bainbridge, N.Y., Cornell University, Animal Science
- Samuel Mess, Rosendale, Wis., Fox Valley Technical College, Agribusiness, Animal Science and Agronomy
- Clinton Shellenberger, Pleasant Hill, Ohio, Huntington University, Agricultural Education
- Adam King, Schuylerville, N.Y., Cornell University, Agricultural Science
- Katie Rumfelt, Graff, Mo., Missouri State University, Agricultural Education
- Gavin Ralston, Kansas City, Mo., Missouri State University, Information Technology
- Hayley Daubert, Dayton, Va., South Dakota State University, Dairy Manufacturing
- Sadie Brearley, Portland, Mich., Michigan State University, Animal Science
- Lindsey Schmoll, Wausau, Wis., South Dakota State University, Precision Agriculture
- William Jones, Kilgore, Texas, Texas A&M University, Agricultural Systems Management
- Madeline Hensel, Pittsville, Wis., University of Wisconsin, Agricultural Communications
Graduate Scholarship Recipients:
- Grant Fincham, Raymond, Neb., University of Nebraska, Ruminant Nutrition
- Conor McCabe, Davis, Calif., University of California–Davis, Animal Biology
- Kayla Braggs, Lansing, Mich., Michigan State University, Ag Economics
- Bailie Shultz, Boulder, Colo., University of Colorado, Environment, Sustainability Food Systems
- Aaron Golson, Stone Mountain, Ga., University of Georgia, Agriculture
Investing in the Future of Dairy
The Dfa Cares Foundation Scholarship Program exemplifies the Dairy Farmers of America’s proactive approach to securing a vibrant future for the dairy industry. By providing financial assistance and recognition to these talented students, the program not only supports individual academic pursuits but also strengthens the entire dairy ecosystem. These scholarship recipients are poised to become the innovators, leaders, and advocates who will shape the dairy landscape for generations to come. The DFA Cares Foundation’s commitment to education is an investment in a sustainable and thriving dairy future.
