Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), Kansas City, Kan., said it recognizes the importance of developing future leaders in the dairy industry and is committed to investing in their education. Since its inception 14 years ago, the DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship has grown to honor an increasing number of outstanding students who are pursuing careers in the dairy industry.

Selection criteria include a commitment and passion for a career in the dairy industry; extracurricular activities, awards and work experience; and academic achievement, DFA said. This year, DFA’s scholarship committee identified 44 recipients who will receive a combined total of $63,000.

Precollege students include:

  • Jaymen Brough, Oak City, Utah, planning to attend Southern Utah University and major in animal biology.
  • Katie Burger, Adams, N.Y., planning to attend SUNY Delhi and major in veterinary science technology.
  • Layne Burnett, Carpenter, Wyo., planning to attend Texas Tech University and major in agricultural communication.
  • Katerina Coffman, Petersburg, Pa., planning to attend The Pennsylvania State University and major in animal science.
  • Maria Dirksen, Bryant, Ind., planning to attend Purdue University and major in agribusiness.
  • Brooklin Drake, Marathon, N.Y., planning to attend SUNY Cobleskill and major in agricultural business.
  • Campbell Edstrom, Kersey, Colo., planning to attend Oklahoma State University and major in agricultural communications/agricultural business.
  • Joshua Fresquez, Las Cruces, N.M., planning to attend New Mexico State University and major in finance.
  • Nathaniel Freund, Concordia, Mo., planning to attend State Fair Community College and major in agricultural business.
  • Amy Gokey, Malone, N.Y., planning to attend SUNY Cobleskill and major in agricultural business.
  • Dana Heltzel, Martinsburg, Pa., planning to attend Case Western Reserve University and major in nutrition and dietetics.
  • Jessica Herr, Lancaster, Pa., planning to attend The Pennsylvania State University and major in agribusiness management.
  • Aubrey Hoying, Anna, Ohio, planning to attend The Ohio State University and major in agricultural communications.
  • Ryan Jones, Sherburne, N.Y., planning to attend SUNY Cobleskill and major in agricultural engineering,
  • Elizabeth Katzman, Whitewater, Wis., planning to attend Northeast Technical College – Green Bay and major in small business entrepreneurship.
  • Evan Martin, Janesville, Wis., planning to attend University of Wisconsin – Madison and major in dairy science.
  • Jessica Nolt, Hartley, Texas, planning to attend Iowa State University and major in agricultural business.
  • Sophia Portner, Sleepy Eye, Minn., planning to attend North Dakota State University and major in natural resource management.
  • Blair Rexing, Fort Branch, Ind., planning to attend University of Southern Indiana and major in food and nutrition.
  • Emma van Dieden, Winnsboro, Texas, planning to attend Texas A&M – Commerce and major in animal science/pre-veterinary medicine.

Undergraduate students include:

  • Abigail Albin, San Luis Obispo, Calif., attends California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and majors in agricultural science.
  • Caroline Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pa., attends The Pennsylvania State University and majors in animal science/business and animal management.
  • Jared Baudhuin, Brussels, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin – Platteville and majors in agriculture education.
  • Adele Biasini, Morrisville, Vt., attends University of Vermont and majors in animal science.
  • Abby Fairbanks, Anamosa, Iowa, attends University of Wisconsin – Platteville and majors in dairy science.
  • Grant Fincham, Manhattan, Kan., attends Kansas State University and majors in animal sciences and industry.
  • Megan Gervais, Enosburg Falls, Vt., attends University of Vermont and majors in animal science.
  • Allen Graulich, Cobleskill, N.Y., attends Cornell University and majors in animal science.
  • Bailey Groves, Billings, Mo., attends Missouri State University and majors in animal science.
  • Ashley Hagenow, Poynette, Wis., attends University of Minnesota and majors in agricultural communications and marketing.
  • Awna Hirsch, St. Paul, Minn., attends University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and majors in animal science.
  • Nicole Koke, Dublin, Texas, attends Texas A&M University and majors in business management consulting.
  • Becky Kropf, Westphalia, Kan., attends Brown University and majors in economics.
  • Sarah Lehner, Delaware, Ohio, attends The Ohio State University and majors in agribusiness and applied economics/animal science.
  • Kaylee Mess, Rosendale, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin – Platteville and majors in agriculture education.
  • Kelsey Pasch, Weidman, Mich., attends Michigan State University and majors in animal science/animal industry.
  • Gavin Rankins, Cusseta, Ala., attends Auburn University and majors in animal science/allied industries.