College Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to pay for college. In the table below is a listing of scholarships available to youth majoring agriculture or with a dairy background. If you would like your scholarship added to our list, please send an email with all the information to editors@hoards.com.
 
Agricultural Communicators Network
Scholarships: $1,500 to $3,000
Application: agcommnetwork.com
Question: Courtney Girgis 515-284-2853 or email
Due: April 15
For members of the National ACT Organization 

Agriculture Future of America
AFA Leader and Academic Scholarships
Scholarships: $1,600 - $3,200
Application: www.agfuture.org/scholarships
Questions: Michael Curry 816-472-4232 or email
Due: March 5
For high school seniors and current undergraduate students enrolled in agriculture and food-related degree programs. Must attend AFA conference in Kansas City, Missouri in November 2024.

All-American Dairy Foundation, Inc.
Arthur W. Nesbitt Scholarship by the All-American Dairy Foundation
Scholarship: $1,000
Application: www.allamericandairyfoundation.com
Questions: Ryan Haines email
Due: July 15
Must have participated in at least one event at the All-American Dairy Show prior to the 2025 show.

American Dairy Association North East
Leo Briggs Memorial Scholarship
Scholarships: $500
Application: www.americandairy.com
Questions: Cindy Weimer email
Due: Mid-December
Must reside in ADA Northeast region.

American Guernsey Association
Scholarships: $750
Application: www.usguernsey.com
Questions: 614-864-2409 or email
Due: March 31
For AGA Junior Members. Requirements vary (see applications).

American Implement – Ag Future Scholarship
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: americanimplement.com
Due: March 31
Must reside in a specific region

American Jersey Cattle Association
Scholarships:  Varies
Application: www.usjersey.com
Questions: 614-322-4451 or email
Due: July 1
For students who are members of the American Jersey Cattle Association.

American Soybean Association & BASF
Scholarships: $7,000
Application: www.soygrowers.com
Questions: Chris Luelf email
Due: Opens in October
For high school seniors whose immediate family are members of ASA

ARC/C.O.nxt Scholarship
Scholarships: $1,500
Application: agrelationscouncil.org
Questions: Sandra O'Rourke 952-758-5811 or email
Due: March 15
College student studying ag communications and public relations.

Brown Swiss Association
Scholarships: $500 to $1,000
Application: www.brownswissusa.com
Questions: email
Due: March 31
For youth members majoring in agriculture, or for the purchase of a Brown Swiss calf.

California Creamery Operators Association
Scholarships: $1,000 or greater
Application: ccoadairy.org
Questions: info@ccoadairy.org
Due: May 10
Must be college junior or senior in dairy, food science, ag enineering and/or ag business programs at a California University

California Dairies, Inc
Scholarships: Varies
Application: californiadairies.com
Questions: 559-625-2200
Due: Varies
Must be a child of CDI employee or member-owner child

California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation
Scholarships: $1,000 to $5,000
Application: www.cfbf.com
Questions:  916-561-5520 or email
Due: January 31
For California residents. Varies depending on scholarship.

CentralStar Cooperative scholarship
Scholarship: $1,000
Website: www.mycentralstar.com
Questions: email
Due: June 1
For students (or families) are a stockowner of CentralStar Cooperative.

CHS Foundation
Scholarships: Varies depending on college attending
Application: www.chsfoundation.org
Questions: Contact individual participating colleges
Due: May 31
For high school and college students pursuing an agriculture related field. Student's university must be a CHS partner within a certain region.

Compeer Financial
Fund for Rural America
Scholarships: $1,500
Application: www.compeer.com
Questions: 844-426-6733 or email
Due: March 15
For students who are residents of Compeer's territory.

Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Scholarship
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.calfandheifer.org
Questions: JoDee Sattler 855-400-3242 or email
Due: February 21
For a member or family member of DCHA.

Dairy Farmers of America Scholarships
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.dfamilk.com
Questions: 888-332-6455
Due: January
Applicants must also be enrolled in or planning to attend a two- or four-year accredited college, university, or trade school.

DairyMax
Scholarships: $2,500
Application: dairymax.org
Questions: 800-332-4790
Due: March 31
Must reside in the geographic territory served by Dairy Max.

Daughters of American Agriculture
Scholarships: Up to $1,000
Application: www.americanagriwomen.org
Questions: email
Due: March 1, May 1, August 15 (depending on which scholarship)
For young women with agriculture work experience and financial need.

DMI/National Dairy Shrine
Milk Marketing Scholarships
Scholarships: Upto $1,500,
Application: www.dairyshrine.org
Questions: Mike Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
For students planning a career in dairy product marketing.

Edge Dairy Farm Co-op Scholarship
Scholarships: $2,000
Application: www.voiceofmilk.com
Questions: Laura Hensley 920-652-4524 email
Due: April 1
For dependent children of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative members. 

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association
Scholarships: $750
Application: www.equitycoop.com
Questions: Jeff Engebretsen 715-853-3265
Due: July 1
Applications must be an active shipping member of Equity or the child of an Equity customer.

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.farmfirstdairycooperative.com
Questions:  608-244-3373 or email
Due: March 31
For members or family members of Family First Dairy Cooperative.

Farm Credit East
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.farmcrediteast.com
Questions: email 
Due: Opens in January
For Farm Credit East customers or dependents of customers.

Farm Credit West
Scholarships: $2,500 
Application: www.farmcreditwest.com
Questions:  866-552-9172
Due: Opens in October
For Farm Credit West members and immediate family.

Farm Kids For College
Sponsored by National Farmers Organization
Scholarships: Up to $2,500
Application: www.nfo.org
Due: February 20
For high school seniors planning to major in an agriculture related field.

Feeding Tomorrow - Institute of Food Technologies
Scholarships: Varies, multiple
Application: www.ift.org
Questions: email
Due: Varies depending on scholarship 
Eligibility for scholarship varies with majors.

Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA)
Tom Imbordino Dairy Science Scholarship
Scholarship: $3,500
Application: www.fpsa.org
Questions: Andy Drennan or email
Due: May 27
Must be a college junior or senior in dairy or food science.

Foremost Farms USA
Scholarships: $3,000
Application: www.foremostfarms.com
Questions: Laura Milm 608-355-8798 or email
Due: Varies
Must be a child of a member or employee.

GENEX
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: genex.coop
Questions: 888-333-1783 or email
Due: April 4
For high school seniors or undergraduate students attending a four-year college/university or a two-year technical college this fall. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in an agricultural field. Applicants must be affiliated with a GENEX member

Hilmar Cheese Company
Scholarships: Varies
Application: hilmar.com
Due: February 1
Must reside in a specific region - Merced/Stanislaus county in California or Dallam/Hartley county in Texas.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition, North America Scholarship
Scholarships: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD and DVM
Application: lallemandanimalnutrition.com
Questions: email
Due: September 27
For students studying agricultural coursework in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Scholarships are available to undergraduate, master’s, PhD and DVM students.

Land O'Lakes
Scholarships: $5,000
Application: landolakes.com
Questions: 507-931-1682 or email
Due: April 5
For children or grandchildren of a current and active Land O’Lakes direct producer member.

Lely North America Future of Dairy Scholarship
Scholarships: Up to $1500
Application: lelylife.com
Questions: 641-621-2700
Due: March 8
Students must have a desire and passion to work in the dairy industry
.

Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.mdvamilk.com
Questions: Ginny Fink or email
Due: February
For dependents or employees of members.

Midwest Dairy Association
Scholarships: Varies by college
Application: www.midwestdairycheckoff.com
Questions: 800-642-3895
Due: Varies; most are due March 1
The awards are available for 7 regions in the Midwest. Must be an immediate family member of a dairy producer.

National Association of Farm Broadcasters
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.nafb.com
Questions: Tom Brand 816-431-4032 or email
Due: June 8
For agricultural communications students with interest in broadcasting..

National Corn Growers & BASF
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.ncga.com
Questions: 636-733-9004 ext. 137
Due: Early December
For students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field and who are immediate family of a national Corn Growers member.

National Dairy Promotion and Research Board
Scholarships: $2,500
Application: www.usdairy.com
Questions:  Sarah Hetke 847-627-3301 or email
Due: May 31
(Sophomore through seniors) For majors in communications and/or public relations, journalism, marketing, business, economics, nutrition, food science and agricultural education.

NDS/Iager Scholarship
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.dairyshrine.org
Questions: Mike Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
Must be a second-year college student in a two-year agricultural college majoring in dairy or animal science.

NDS/Kildee Graduate Scholarships
Scholarships: $3,000
Application: www.dairyshrine.org
Questions: Mike Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
The top 25 individuals in the past three National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contests or a member of the first or second-place team. .

NDS/Klussendorf Scholarship/McKown
Scholarships: $1,500
Application: www.dairyshrine.org
Questions: Mike Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
For dairy science majors planning to enter into the dairy industry as a breeder, owner, herdsperson, or fitter.

NDS Lancaster Sophomore Scholarship
Scholarships: Up to $1,500
Application: dairyshrine.org
Questions: Mike Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
Must be an undergraduate sophomore at a four-year college

NDS/Maurice E. Core Scholarship
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: dairyshrine.org
Questions: Mike Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
Must be a current freshman student at a four-year college majoring in animal or dairy science with a communication emphasis.

NDS/McCullough Freshman Scholarships
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.dairyshrine.org
Questions:Mike Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
For current undergraduate freshmen at four-year college majoring in animal or dairy science with a communications emphasis.

NDS/Mert Sowerby Junior Scholarship
Scholarships: Up to $1,500
Application: dairyshrine.com
Questions: Mike Opperamn 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
Must be an undergraduate junior at a four-year college.

NDS/Senior Student Recognition Award
Scholarships: Up to $2,000
Application: dairyshrine.org
Questions: Mile Opperman 920-542-1003 or email
Due: April 15
Must be an undergraduate senior planning on a career in dairy

National DHIA Scholarship Program
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.dhia.org
Questions: JoDee Sattler 414-587-5839 or email
Due: October 31
Applicant must be affiliate member of National DHIA.

National Farmers Union Foundation
Scholarships: Up to $2,000
Application: www.nfu.org
Questions: 202-554-1600
Due: April 1
For high school seniors who are members of the Farmers Union and pursuing a career in agriculture.

National FFA Organization
Scholarships: 1,500-plus for a total of more than $2 million
Application: www.ffa.org
Questions:  Email
Due: January 14
Must be a past or current FFA member

National Holstein Women's Scholarship Foundation
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.nhwsoscholarship.com
Questions: Kate Geppart 573-808-5607 or email
Due: February 17
For members of the junior or senior member of the Holstein Association.

National Milk Producers Federation Scholarship
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.nmpf.org
Questions: email
Due: April 12
For students pursuing research that directly benefits milk marketing cooperatives and dairy producers.

National Poultry and Food Distributors Association
Scholarships: $5,000
Application: www.nfpda.org
Questions: email 
Due: April 26
Must be a child of a NPFDA member of employee

National Society Descendants of American Farmers
Scholarships: $2,000
Application: nsdoaf.com
Questions: Christina Hurst-Loeffler 972-743-5406 or email
Due: January 1 (Spring Semester); August 1 (Fall Semester) 
College students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate agriculture related degree.

Northwest Farm Credit Services
Scholarships: $2,500; several
Application: www.northwestfcs.com
Due: Opens in October
For employees and customers in AgWest's service territory.
Any major is eligible, but preference is given to agriculture students.

North American International Livestock Exposition
(Garland Bastin NAILE Scholarship)

Scholarship: $1,000
Application: www.livestockexpo.org
Questions: Nancy Monroe 502-367-5191 or email
Due: October 17
For a high school senior that exhibits dairy at NAILE.
 
Pennsylvania Dairymen's Association/Center for Dairy Excellence
Scholarships: Up to $3,000
Application: centerfordairyexcellence.org
Questions: Michelle Shearer 570-768-8316 or email
Due: June 1
Students must be a Pennsyvania resident.

Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Scholarship
Scholarships: $3,000
Application: www.americandairy.com
Questions: Cindy Weimer email
Due: November 1
Must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or state resident.

Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship 
Scholarships: Up to $2,500
Application: www.premierselectsires.com
Questions: 570-836-3168 or email
Due: January 31
For a college student majoring in agriculture who is a child of a Premier Select Sires member or customer in good standing.

Priority IAC
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.forhealthycows.com
Questions: 920-682-0264 or email
Due: March 1
For immediate family of Priority One customers.

Red & White Dairy Cattle Association
Scholarships: Up to $1,000
Application: www.redandwhitecattle.com
Questions: 608-790-5595 or email
Due: May 1
For members of RWDCA, for at least three years.

Sullivan Show Supply
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.sullivansupply.com
Questions: email
Due: March 15
For students with a passion for the livestock industry and/or raising livestock.

Targeting Excellence Scholarship
Scholarships: Varies
Application: www.targetingexcellence.org
Questions: Rachel Virden 678-448-2368 or email
Due: March 21
Applicant must have a strong desire to pursue a creer upon graduation in food animal production.

Trans Ova
Scholarships: $1,000
Application: www.transova.com
Questions: Sara Kober or email 
Due: March 1
The scholarships are open to high school seniors and college students in their first or second year of undergraduate study. Students are not required to be studying in an agriculture field, but candidates are asked to show active involvement or future intent of involvement in the beef and/or dairy industries.

Turf and Ornamental Communications Association
Scholarships: $2,500
Application: www.toca.org
Questions: email
Due: April 15
For a student pursuing a career in green industry communications.

U.S. Ayrshire Breeders' Association
Scholarship: $500
Application: www.usayrshire.com
Questions: 614-335-0020 or email
Due: March 1
For a five-year junior association member planning a career in agriculture

Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association
Scholarships: $1000
Application: http://umdia.org
Questions: email
Due: February 10
For students in the UMDIA region pursuing a degree related to the dairy industry.

UnitedAg Scholarship
Scholarships: Up to $10,000
Application: www.unitedag.org
Questions: Jessica Lopez 800-223-4590 ext. 217 or email
Due: December 31
Applicants must be affiliated with UnitedAg, either as a child/grandchild of a member or an employee of a member.

United Dairymen of Idaho
Scholarships: $1,600
Application: www.dairywest.com
Questions: 208-736-1953 or info@udidaho.org
Due: February 1
Applicants must be a resident of Idaho with a dairy background.

WinField Careers in Agriculture
Scholarships: $5,000
Application: www.winfield.com
Questions: email
Due: April 17
For students pursuing a career or degree in agriculture. 

Wisconsin Holstein Association
Scholarships: Up to $2,000
Application: www.wisholsteins.com/scholarships
Questions: 800-223-4269  or email
Due: March 1
For Wisconsin Holstein members.