Fifteen Jersey Youth Receive Scholarships Totaling $38,850
Fifteen Jersey youth continuing their education will receive scholarships from the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) totaling $38,850. They will receive their awards on November 6, 2026, at the Youth Awards Ceremony held during All American festivities in Louisville, Ky.
The 15 recipients are pursuing higher education at universities and colleges in 10 states—Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. They are pursuing degrees in agribusiness, agribusiness management, agricultural business management, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, agricultural science, animal science/dairy production, dairy and food animal management, dairy science, marketing, nursing and veterinary medicine.
Twenty-seven students applied for scholarships from the AJCA this year. Youth can apply for as many scholarships as they are eligible to compete for.
Support for the AJCA scholarship program comes from eight different funds managed in perpetuity by the AJCA. In order to make larger scholarship amounts available, Jersey breeders can contribute to the funds at any time by contacting the AJCA at 614/322-4451.
Russell-Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies
Alaina Johnson
Dakota, Minn.
This scholarship is available to graduate students seeking degrees in dairy science, animal science, large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product processing.
Alaina Johnson, Dakota, Minn., is this year’s recipient of the $5,000 scholarship. The daughter of Ryan and Tracy Johnson earned her undergraduate degree in animal science from the University of Wisconsin (UW)-River Falls before enrolling in the veterinary program at South Dakota State University (SDSU), where she earned a master’s degree in biological science-veterinary medicine. She is now a junior in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota.
Johnson’s involvement with Jerseys began on her grandparents’ farm, Pine Creek Farms, in La Crescent, Minn., where she was surrounded by brown cows from an early age. At age 6, she raised and showed her first calf, “Princess,” an experience that sparked a passion that has continued to shape her life.
She was active in 4-H, serving as secretary of the Houston County 4-H Federation and competing in dairy judging and dairy quiz bowl.
One of the most impactful experiences in her youth was attending Jersey Youth Academy in 2019, which broadened her perspective of the industry, reinforced the importance of progressive herd management and inspired her to advocate for Jersey cattle. The following year, she was crowned Minnesota Jersey Queen and was a finalist in the Princess Kay of the Milky Way program.
Throughout high school and college, Johnson intentionally sought leadership roles that challenged her to grow while allowing her to make an impact at school, in her community and in agriculture. In high school, she was in the National Honor Society and involved with student council, Link Crew, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She also played softball, basketball and volleyball.
At the college level, Johnson was also involved in the pre-veterinary club, dairy club and intramural sports. She was a founding member of SDSU’s chapter of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and served as secretary of the Christian Veterinary Fellowship.
Johnson has gained extensive hands-on experience with dairy cattle through positions at Nova Holsteins and Vineyard Jerseys in New Richmond, Wis., Bergseng Family Farms in River Falls, Wis., and Palmyra Farm in Hagerstown, Md. Among her responsibilities were milking, managing the parlor and equipment, feeding youngstock, administering medications and performing A.I. work. She also gained research experience at the UW-River Falls laboratory farm and Pipestone Animal Research and assisted with surgery and animal care at Hudson Road Animal Hospital.
Johnson’s long-term goal is to become a large animal veterinarian specializing in dairy cattle, with emphasis on reproduction and animal health. She also plans to continue breeding and showing Registered Jerseys while mentoring young people.
The Walter and Joyce Owens and Family Scholarship
Lee Taylor
Booneville, Miss.
The award in available to incoming or current students enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in a dairy related major. It is based on financial need, leadership skills, and academic performance.
This year’s recipient of the $5,000 Walter and Joyce Owens and Family Scholarship is Lee Taylor of Booneville, Miss. The son of Bradley and Carla Taylor, he is a sophomore at Mississippi State University (MSU), majoring in agribusiness with a concentration in production and minoring in animal and dairy science and economics.
Taylor owns 30 Registered Jerseys that are managed with the 100-cow herd at Taylor Jersey Farm Inc., owned and operated by his family. His responsibilities include milking, vaccinations, moving cattle, building and mending fences, servicing equipment, cutting and raking hay, and tending the show cattle. He has shown since he could walk and has exhibited cattle in six states. Since April, he has also taken on breeding responsibilities, focusing on components, A2A2 genetics, structural correctness and longevity. He plans to incorporate genotyping into future breeding decisions.
Taylor also helped establish Taylor Creamery and Market, an on-site processing facility that will process A2 milk. The family plans to initially bottle whole milk before expanding into flavored milk, ice cream, butter and cheese. The market also offers beef, pork, baked goods and produce grown by the Taylors or other local producers. The processing room is nearing completion, with a grand opening scheduled for the end of summer.
In 2025, Taylor attended Jersey Youth Academy and received the Bob Toole Youth Award.
A strong advocate for agriculture, Taylor served as Prentiss County 4-H ambassador for two years and as a Mississippi 4-H ambassador his senior year of high school. He was vice president of the New Site FFA chapter, participated in dairy judging and helped coach an FFA dairy products judging team.
While in school, Taylor was also a member of the archery team and mentored younger team members. At MSU, he was elected as a pledge marshal for the Block and Bridle Club and is active with collegiate 4-H, the reestablished dairy club and the Baptist Student Union.
Taylor has also received scholarships from the Dixie National Sale of Champions for supreme champion and academics. He will receive an academic scholarship from MSU and was named a Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholar by Select Sires Inc.
The Lineweaver Scholarship
Cassandra Bohnert
East Moline, Ill.
This award is available to students who have completed at least one year at an accredited four-year college or university in a dairy, animal science, or dairy products department. It is based on financial need, leadership skills, and academic performance.
Cassandra Bohnert, East Moline, Ill., is this year’s recipient of the $5,000 scholarship. The daughter of Scott and Karen Bohnert is a junior at Iowa State University (ISU), pursuing a degree in dairy science.
Bohnert grew up on Bohnert Jerseys, a 750-cow Registered Jersey farm operated by her family. Among her most memorable dairy milestones was saving for and then purchasing her first Jersey at the Pot O’Gold Sale. She has been active in 4-H and other youth programs, exhibiting cattle at local shows, the state fair and the All American Jersey Show and attending national Jersey conventions.
An integral part of the crew that operates Bohnert Jerseys, she has also gained hands-on experience at other Jersey operations. She helped DeMent Jerseys and Kilgus Jerseys with their show strings at the Illinois State Fair and completed a mini-internship with Dutch Hollow Farm in Schodack Landing, N.Y.
Bohnert received the William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship in 2024 and the Walter and Joyce Owens and Family Scholarship in 2025. She also attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2025.
At United Township High School, she was a member of the varsity basketball team, receiving the Panther Pride Award for leadership and integrity. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society and graduated magna cum laude in 2023. She received the John Deere Student Award and volunteered with her church, the Rock Island County Fair and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, among others.
At ISU, Bohnert is a member of the dairy club and has been named to the dean’s list. She works at local dairy farms to help fund her education. Last fall, she traveled to Santiago, Chile, to attend the World Dairy Summit, gaining international perspective on the dairy industry while strengthening her Spanish-speaking skills.
She has also received scholarships from Midwest Dairy and the ISU dairy.
After graduation, Bohnert plans to work in production agriculture on a Midwest Jersey dairy farm as a herdsperson. Her long-term goal is to return to Bohnert Jerseys and help manage the herd upon retirement of the current herdsman.
Morris B. Ewing ABS Global Genetic Performance Scholarship
Nicole Arrowsmith
Peach Bottom, Pa.
Junior or senior undergraduate students seeking a career in genetics, dairy production, large animal veterinary medicine or milk marketing are eligible for this scholarship.
Receiving the $3,250 scholarship is Nicole Arrowsmith, Peach Bottom, Pa. She is a senior at Pennsylvania State University, majoring in agribusiness management.
She grew up on Hillacres Jersey Farm, a fully registered herd owned and operated by her parents, Tom and Amanda Arrowmith, and their family. Since 2003, the family has been processing milk from the 60-cow herd into cheese and marketing under the Hillacres Pride label. Cheese is sold primarily at farmers’ markets.
Arrowsmith was active with 4-H and youth breed associations. She was social chair for the Lancaster Milkduds 4-H Club and secretary of the Lancaster Junior Holstein Association. She attended numerous state and national Jersey conventions and Jersey Youth Academy in 2021.
A favorite pastime is showing cattle, something she has done since she was small, trailing along the end of a halter. In her final year as a junior, she realized a lifelong dream: breeding and exhibiting a National Junior Reserve Grand Champion. Her entry, Hillacres Chrome Hibiscus, was Junior All American Five-Year-Old and Reserve All American in the open show. “Hibiscus” was also tapped Grand Champion of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Jersey Show in 2025. More recently, Arrowsmith exhibited both the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion of the New York Spring Carousel.
In high school, Arrowsmith participated in high school musicals, was a member of the National Honor Society and served as class secretary.
At Penn State, Arrowsmith was assistant chair of the Nittany Lion Fall Classic in 2025 and is chair of this year’s event.
She plans to return to Hillacres Jersey Farm and further develop the herd and the Hillacres Pride product line.
The Robert Bignami Memorial Scholarship
Clancey Krahn
Albany, Ore.
This scholarship is for students who have attended Jersey Youth Academy and are enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university majoring in an agriculture-based degree. The award is based on financial need, academic performance, and leadership skills.
For the second time, Clancey Krahn, Albany, Ore., will receive this $3,000 award. She is the daughter of Ben and Amy Krahn. A senior at Oklahoma State University (OSU), she is dual majoring in animal sciences/dairy production and agricultural communications and minoring in marketing.
She and her family own and operate Royal Riverside Farm, a vertically integrated Registered Jersey farm. In 2018, they built a creamery on the farm and began bottling milk. Today, milk is distributed to 60 stores and coffee shops across Oregon.
From “grass to glass,” Krahn’s experiences with Jerseys have shaped her and laid a strong foundation for her future in the dairy industry. She has been involved in all aspects of the farm’s operation, from daily chores to the show string to farm tours and managing the on-site farm stand, The Classy Cow.
Krahn was active in both 4-H and FFA, serving the former as club president and the latter as both chapter and district president. She was the youth representative on the Linn County Livestock Auction Committee.
She was the fifth high individual in the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest and a national gold medalist in the FFA milk quality and product evaluation contest. In 2023, she was awarded the Oregon FFA Star Farmer and won the national dairy production entrepreneurship proficiency award.
An active exhibitor, she showed cattle at county and state fairs and the All American Junior Jersey Show, where she showed the Junior Champion in 2023. She also received laurels as grand champion showman at the Western National Jersey Show.
She was crowned National Jersey Queen and Oregon Dairy Princess Ambassador in 2023.
She attended Class VIII of Jersey Youth Academy and completed the U.S. Dairy Education and Training Consortium in Clovis, N.M.
At OSU, she is an officer in the Dairy Science Club, a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and a member of Ag Communicators of Tomorrow. She is active with Chi Omega sorority and was selected as the Panhellenic senator for the student senate. She also competes on the university’s Dairy Challenge and dairy judging teams.
Upon graduation, Krahn plans to pursue a master’s degree in agricultural communications and leadership from OSU. She will pursue a career as a trusted voice for farmers at the local, state and national levels through public relations, legislative outreach or marketing.
William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship
Tatum Lancaster
Tillamook, Ore.
This scholarship is available to high school graduates accepted into a college or university for the fall program of the school year (entering freshmen).
Tatum Lancaster, Tillamook, Ore., has been named the recipient of the $3,000 William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship. The daughter of Ryan and Freynie Lancaster, she is a 2026 graduate of Tillamook High School and will attend Oregon State University (OSU) as a freshman, majoring in marketing, with a minor in agricultural and food business management.
Lancaster grew up on her family’s Registered Jersey farm, Royalty Ridge Dairy. She enjoys every aspect of showing, from fitting and preparing animals to stepping into the show ring and representing the farm. She has competed at the All American Jersey Show, World Dairy Expo and the Western National Jersey Show.
She has also been active in 4-H and FFA, competing at the district, state and national levels. Through 4-H, she also raises and sells a market hog each year at the county fair. She was also a junior leader for Caring Clover Buddies 4-H Club.
Lancaster has served as the Tillamook County Dairy Princess and attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2025, an experience she said has a lasting impact.
Lancaster’s extracurricular activities have centered on agriculture, athletics, community service and entrepreneurship. She served as overall chair of the Tillamook High School charity drive, which raised more than $285,000 in 10 days, with half of the proceeds donated to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
In athletics, Lancaster was chosen as team captain for varsity volleyball, basketball and golf. She owns a floral business specializing in weddings and events, where she has gained experience in marketing, customer relations, budgeting, business and time management.
Beginning in September 2022, she took dual-enrollment classes at Tillamook Bay Community College to earn college credit. She has received numerous merit scholarships from OSU, Tillamook community service organizations including the Elks and Kiwanis, the Jessie May Riggs Scholarship Foundation and the Russ Rarey Memorial Foundation.
This summer, Lancaster worked as a calf feeder at Martin Dairy LLC in Tillamook while continuing her work at Western Grace Floral Co.
Lancaster plans to pursue a career in agricultural marketing to bridge the gap between consumers and producers by telling agriculture’s story in an accurate and engaging way. She is especially passionate about combining creativity with business strategies to help agricultural industries adapt to changing markets and consumer expectations.
V. L. Peterson Scholarship
Sara Reed
Columbia Cross Roads, Pa.
Awarded to students who have completed at least one year of college work are eligible for this scholarship.
Sara Reed, Columbia Cross Roads, Pa., will receive this year’s scholarship of $2,500. She is the daughter of Leonard and Erin Reed and a senior at Pennsylvania State University, majoring in animal science with minors in agribusiness management and livestock production.
Reed and her family operate Ravineside Farm, where they maintain a small herd of Registered Jerseys with an emphasis on type and show cattle. When not in school, she cares for the animals, customizes the nutrition program and researches genetics. She and her mother have shown at the local, state and national levels.
Active in 4-H and FFA, Reed served as president of the LeRoy Community 4-H Club and helped organize educational events on fitting and judging for clubs in Bradford and Susquehanna counties. She also served as president and vice president of the Troy FFA Chapter and treasurer of the Bradford County FFA.
Reed is active with her state Jersey association and is vice president of the state junior Holstein club’s executive committee. She was crowned Pennsylvania Jersey Queen in 2021 and placed among the top five in the national contest the following year. She attended Class VIII of Jersey Youth Academy and is pursuing a career in genetics marketing after hearing a panelist speak.
Her previous honors include the William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship in 2023, the Lineweaver Scholarship in 2024 and the Paul Jackson Scholarship in 2025. She also received the William Lawrence Palmer Scholarship from the Centre Foundation to help fund her studies.
At Penn State, she is a member of the Dairy Science Club. She co-chaired the Nittany Lion Fall Classic Sale in 2024 and chaired the event in 2025. She also helped organize the Penn State Spring Dairy Exposition earlier this year. Reed is a member of the quiz bowl team that won first place at the American Dairy Science Association contest and competed in dairy judging. She also took part in the academy held in conjunction with the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge in Sioux Falls, S.D., in April.
This summer, Reed completed a sales and consulting internship with STgenetics.
Her long-term goal is to become a dairy genetics consultant while continuing to breed and show Registered Jerseys and volunteer with youth education and industry organizations.
Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship
Sarah Diehl
McVeytown, Pa.
This scholarship is presented to an eligible candidate in the 2021 National Youth Achievement Contest.
Sarah Diehl, McVeytown, Pa., will receive the scholarship award of $2,500. She is the daughter of Joe and Kristin Diehl. She graduated from Virginia Polytechnic State University with a degree in dairy science in 2026 and is now enrolled in the veterinary science program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Diehl grew up on Musser Run Jerseys, operated by her family. Her life has revolved around Jersey activities, from showing her first calf, Belle, at the age of six to giving a history of Elsie the cow to members attending the Pennsylvania Jersey Cattle Association when she was 12. She attended Jersey Youth Academy and received the Lineweaver Scholarship last year.
Diehl was an active 12-year member of 4-H, serving as president of both the county’s dairy and beef clubs.
At Virginia Tech, she was president and intramural sports chair of the Dairy Club. She was a member of the dairy judging team and the quiz bowl team and participated in both regional and national Academy events held with the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. She also traveled to the Isle of Jersey with the Virginia Tech Dairy Club.
For the past two summers, Diehl has worked for Huntingdon Vet Service, helping with herd checks and farm calls and administering vaccinations.
Long-term, she plans to become a large animal veterinarian.
Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship
Jessica Hewitt
Baton Rouge, La.
This award is for an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in a program to earn a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product marketing. Through completed coursework and a goal statement, the student must demonstrate significant progress towards the degree and clear intent for a career in agriculture.
Jessica Hewitt, Baton Rouge, La., will receive the $2,000 award. She is enrolled in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University. The daughter of Jill Thomas of Acampo, Calif., Hewitt graduated from Molalla High School in 2022 and earned an associate degree in agricultural science from South Dakota State University in the spring of 2025.
While she did not grow up on a dairy, Hewitt maintained a herd of Registered Jerseys at Lady-Lane Farm in Mulino, Ore., and was responsible for their care and work in the processing room at that dairy.
She was active in 4-H and FFA, serving the latter as chapter secretary and reporter. She exhibited cattle and participated in speaking competitions. She was crowned Western National Jersey Queen in 2022 and participated in the Oregon dairy princess program. She attended Class VII of Jersey Youth Academy.
She was the 2024 on-farm experience recipient of the Fred Stout Experience award. She interned with Misty Meadow Dairy in Tillamook, Ore., where she gained hands-on experience working with the hospital team at the main dairy every day and helping the dairy put on the Legacy of Legends Volume II Sale.
In high school, Hewitt was varsity softball captain for three years and played competitively on a club softball team.
At SDSU, she was a member of the dairy club, pre-veterinary club and swing dance club. She also has experience working in the equine teaching facility at SDSU, giving riding lessons to youth and trail rides to veterans and supporting university and outreach efforts.
Down the road, Hewitt’s goal is to become a large animal veterinarian focused on bovine care.
Paul Jackson Scholarship
Alexis Schultz
Marion, N.Y.
This scholarship is available to students who have completed at least one year of college work. It has been awarded since 1965 to honor Paul Jackson’s service to the Jersey breed.
The $1,000 Paul Jackson Scholarship will be presented this year to Alexis Schultz, Marion, N.Y. The daughter of Shane and Shannon Schultz will be a sophomore at UW-Madison, double majoring in dairy and food animal management and agricultural business management, along with pursuing a certificate in life science communications.
Schultz grew up on her family’s 100-cow Holstein farm, where she has been involved in the daily management of the herd as well as breeding, raising and exhibiting dairy cattle on a state and national level. In 2020, the family began incorporating high-type Jerseys into the herd and today milks about 25 Jersey cows alongside the Holsteins.
Her competitive accomplishments span showing, dairy judging and quiz bowl. She exhibited the bred-and-owned summer yearling at the 2022 Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show and the Junior Champion of the junior show and the Honorable Mention Grand Champion of the open show at the 2024 New York State Fair. Schultz showed at World Dairy Expo for the first time in 2025, where she placed among the top 10 in senior showmanship.
Schultz was high individual in oral reasons at the 4-H dairy judging contest at the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show in 2023. She was a member of the winning team at the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in 2024 and was high individual overall and in reasons. In 2025, she was high individual overall at the Royal Highland International Dairy Judging Contest in Edinburgh, Scotland.
A frequent captain of the dairy quiz bowl team, Schultz helped lead the team to national runner-up honors at the 2024 contest in Louisville, Ky.
Schultz was named a Young Distinguished Junior Member by Holstein Association USA in 2023 and attended Jersey Youth Academy in 2025.
Since 2022, she has operated a summer 4-H dairy lease program since 2022, mentoring about 10 youth annually. Her other leadership roles have included serving as co-dairy ambassador for Wayne County, a member of the executive committee of the New York Junior Holstein Association and junior state representative for the Wayne-Ontario Holstein Club.
In high school, she was president of the National Honor Society and class vice president in 2025.
At UW-Madison, Schultz was elected public outreach chair for the Badger Dairy Club and also serves on the club’s sale committee. She is a member of Collegiate Farm Bureau, the Association of Women in Agriculture and Saddle and Sirloin, where she was elected to the executive team as secretary.
In addition to her responsibilities on her family’s Ranway Farms LLC, Schultz has gained extensive experience working with show and sale cattle. Since 2022, she has helped Hosking Sales LLC in New Berlin, N.Y., care for cattle at the All American Jersey Show, World Dairy Expo and the New York Spring Carousel. For two years, she also worked for Blackfire Cattle Care preparing cattle for shows in New York.
Her long-term goal is to work in the dairy industry in a role that bridges production, business management and consumer education.
Bob Toole Youth Award
Kalli Barger
Dewitt, Iowa
The Bob Toole Youth Award is designated for a high school graduate to fund either college expenses or a clearly defined practical educational experience related to breeding, developing, and showing Registered Jerseys.
The $2,000 Bob Toole Award will be presented this year to Kalli Barber, Dewitt, Iowa. The daughter of Curtis and Heidi Barber, she will be a freshman at ISU, majoring in dairy science. Barber earned an associate of arts degree from Eastern Iowa Community College in May 2026 while completing high school.
Her earliest memories with Jersey include picking up bottle calves from Bohnert Jerseys as a preschooler with her dad and later helping with chores. Since then, her responsibilities have grown. She has shown cattle locally and at the Iowa State Fair, where she is responsible for feeding, walking, washing and watering the animals.
Barber is vice president of her 4-H club and has also held the offices of secretary and treasurer. Through FFA, she participated in milk quality and products judging, dairy cattle evaluation, conduct of meeting contests and other activities. She also helped operate concession stands, led groups in farm safety and worked at “Give Back, Kick Back” events for local businesses.
At school, Barber served as class treasurer and was the media chair for National Honor Society. Her other activities included cross country, wrestling, track and Future Business Leaders of America.
Over the past five years, she has gained extensive experience preparing and caring for sale cattle. As a member of the Jersey Marketing Service sales crew, she helped with sales held in conjunction with the All American and World Dairy Expo. She has also assisted the Brown Swiss Association with preparing cattle for its sales held during Expo. These experiences have allowed her to work alongside dairy breeders while learning about cattle evaluation, genetics and marketing.
Barber has also done work for Eastern Iowa Farmer magazine for the past three years, writing seasonal articles on agricultural topics while conducting interviews and research.
She has received scholarships from Midwest Dairy, Farm Bureau and Lely as well as the Arthur Memorial Agricultural Scholarship.
Barber’s career goal is to work in the dairy industry, with a focus on cattle genetics and embryology. She is motivated by the opportunity to help dairy producers improve efficiency, health and productivity while supporting the long-term sustainability of the industry.
AJCA Director’s Scholarship
Chase Dahler
Foley, Minn.
This scholarship is awarded to a student (undergraduate or graduate) based on academic performance, activities and accomplishments with Jersey cattle and commitment to continued involvement in the Jersey dairy business.
Chase Dahler, Foley, Minn., is this year’s recipient of the $1,500 AJCA Director’s Scholarship. He is the son of Nick and Sarah Dahler and will be a junior at ISU majoring in agricultural engineering and animal production systems and minoring in animal science.
Dahler has been showing Jerseys for five years at county and state levels in 4-H and FFA. While his siblings chose Holsteins, he chose Jerseys. He initially leased cattle before beginning to purchase his own animals, starting with Specific View V Cupid, a winter calf purchased from the Falcon Premier Sale hosted by UW-River Falls. He hopes to use his Jerseys as the foundation of a herd on his uncle’s farm.
He has held numerous leadership roles in 4-H and FFA. He served as president and vice president of the Cornerstone Clovers 4-H Club of Benton County and as president of the Benton County Leaders Council. He has also been a counselor at the Benton County 4-H camp for four years, including two as head counselor. As president of the Foley FFA chapter, he helped lead efforts that raised $12,000 for Camp Courage and $42,000 through the chapter’s holiday fruit sale.
In high school, Dahler was a member of the National Honor Society and a three-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball and baseball.
At ISU, he joined the FarmHouse Fraternity, where he has served as director of alumni relations, chaplain and director of tournaments for homecoming. He is also a member of the Dairy Science Club, dairy judging team and Student Alumni Leadership Council. Dahler is an initiated member of the third degree of the Knights of Columbus.
This summer, Dahler worked as a mechanical engineer intern with BouMatic. Last year, he worked as a drone pilot and aerial applicator for SweetWater Technologies. For the past 18 months, he has also been a milker at the ISU dairy research farm.
After graduation, he hopes to work for an agricultural company or start his own business, contracting his services to agricultural operations. He is especially interested in the potential for technology to shape the future of agriculture, including autonomous tractors, geographic information system-integrated 3D mapping systems for drones, robotic feeding and milk systems and artificial intelligence. He sees these technologies as having the potential to revolutionize the next generation of agriculture.
Anne E. Perchard Challenge Award
Ava Kolodzienski
Beldenville, Wis.
This scholarship recognizes accomplishments, abilities, and leadership potential and challenges the recipient to achieve full potential through continued Jersey activities.
Ava Kolodzienski, Beldenville, Wis., is the recipient of the $350 award. A sophomore at UW-River Falls, she is the daughter of Jacob and Kristen Kolodzienski. She is majoring in agricultural business and minoring in dairy science.
Kolodzienski grew up on a small dairy farm and, since purchasing her first Jersey cow, has been actively involved in raising, caring for and breeding the herd. She enjoys studying pedigrees and genetics and has exhibited cattle at the state and national levels.
Although her family sold its herd in 2024, Kolodzienski continues her involvement with dairy cattle by boarding her animals and working at Discovery Genetics in Ellsworth, Wis. Her daily responsibilities include milking, feeding and bedding cattle. She also helps prepare for the farms annual sale and shows by breaking animals to lead, washing and completing other show preparations.
She has also gained hands-on experience at Silverstone Jerseys, where her responsibilities also included milking, feeding and caring for calves, bedding and maintaining alleyways and stalls.
Kolodzienski has been active in 4-H and FFA, serving as president, vice president and treasurer of the Country Partners 4-H Club and as president, treasurer and sentinel of the Ellsworth FFA Chapter. She has also participated in dairy judging and public speaking and was a member of the Ellsworth Claybreakers trap team.
At UW-River Falls, Kolodzinski serves as yearbook editor for the Dairy Club and is a member of the committee for the Falcon Premier sale. She is also on the committee planning the club’s trip to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a career related to finance or embryology.
Reuben R. Cowles Youth Educational Award
There are two recipients of the Reuben R. Cowles Youth Award—Micah Chapman, Taylorsville, N.C., and Regan Jackson, Boyce, Va.
Chapman will use his $1,750 award to help pay for school expenses as a sophomore at North Carolina State University (NCSU), where he is majoring in agricultural science.
A fifth-generation dairy farmer, Chapman grew up on his family’s farm. In high school, his primary responsibility was feeding bottle calves and monitoring calf health, while also helping with other aspects of the operation, including milking, planting and harvesting crops, and scraping lots. He is also trained to A.I. cattle and administer Lutalyse.
Chapman has been active in 4-H and FFA, showing cattle and participating in dairy judging and dairy handling. He has also purchased calves from the North Carolina Pot O’Gold Sale to build his own herd.
In high school, he played baseball and football and was a member of the National Beta Club, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy and National Technical Honor Society. He also volunteered in numerous church activities, serving as a Sunday school teacher and participating in youth council and youth choir.
At NCSU, Chapman is involved in several agricultural organizations. He serves as sergeant at arms for the Agronomy Club, treasurer for the Young Farmers and Ranchers at NC State and is a member of the county Cattlemen’s Association.
For the past year, Chapman has worked at Pace Family Farms to help fund his education, with responsibilities ranging from cashiering to fieldwork, raising pumpkins and strawberries. He also works at the NCSU Beef Education Unit, where he cleans barns, feeds cattle and monitors animal health.
Chapman’s goal is to return to his family dairy farm, bringing home new ideas while expanding the beef herd and improving the Jersey herd.
Jackson will also use her $1,000 scholarship to fund her nursing studies at East Coast Polytechnic Institute in Manassa, Va. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and food science from Louisiana State University in 2026. She is the daughter of Kevin and Laura Jackson.
Her family operated Waverly Farm in Clear Brook, Va., until the herd was dispersed and the family exited the dairy business in 2022. Though she downsized her herd, she preserved some of her best genetics and houses cows at her aunt and uncle’s farm in Pennsylvania.
Jackson’s passion shines in the show ring. She has shown at the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show 12 times and at the North American International Livestock Exposition 11 times. A highlight was showing WF Valentino Lokie to Grand Champion laurels of the open and junior shows at Harrisburg. She was also named Supreme Best Bred and Owned.
She attended Jersey Youth Academy and won the National Jersey Youth Achievement Contest in 2023. She has also earned the Reuben R. Cowles Youth Award and the Anne E. Perchard Challenge Award and served on the National Jersey Jug Committee.
Her most impactful involvement was through two agriculture organizations: the Clarke County FFA Chapter and the Clarke-Frederick 4-H Dairy Club. She has been elected to nearly every position with each organization, including president, secretary and reporter. She earned her American FFA Degree in 2023 and was a member of teams that topped the state for dairy cattle evaluation and milk quality evaluation. She was also a member of the team that competed at the National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest in 2021 and 4-H dairy judging teams that competed at NAILE and World Dairy Expo.
At the university, she was president of the LSU Dairy Science Club and has also served as vice president. She was also president of the American Dairy Science Association-Undergraduate Division and active with the LSU Student Nutritional and Dietetics Association, the LSU Food and Nutrition Science Club and Block and Bridle. She has also served as the junior district director for the Virginia Junior Holstein Association since 2018.
Long-term, Jackson hopes to pursue a career with a dairy-focused company or government organization to promote evidence-based nutrition, increase consumer confidence in dairy products and advocate for the families who produce them.
Awards for 2027-2028
Applications for Jersey youth scholarships will be accepted from April 1 through July 1, 2027. Forms will be available closer to the deadline and can be found at www.USJersey.com/YouthProgram/scholarshipinfo.html.
For more information, contact Kim Billman, AJCA director of communications, 6486 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-2362, or call 614/322-4451.
