GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Samuel Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo., received the Charles E. Boyd Memorial $1,500 scholarship at the 2024 Vitaferm^®Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony on July 11 in Grand Island, Neb. 

Birdsall will be a sophomore at Kansas State University (K-State) where he is majoring in agribusiness. After college, Birdsall plans to pursue a master’s degree in finance from K-State, with the goal of being involved in the agricultural finance industry. 

Birdsall is passionate about the Hereford breed. “I plan to stay involved with the breed by giving my future children the same opportunity I did in terms of raising and showing Hereford cattle. In short, I am certain I will spend my professional and personal life giving back to the agricultural industry and the Hereford breed,” he said. 

HYFA awarded $40,000 to outstanding Hereford youth at the 2024 JNHE and will award more than $200,000 throughout the year to deserving junior members to aid in their academic endeavors. 

The Charles E. Boyd Memorial Scholarship commemorates Charles E. Boyd Sr., a third-generation Hereford breeder from Mays Lick, Ky., who dedicated his life to youth in the agricultural industry. Throughout his lifetime, he was recognized on local, state and national levels for his accomplishments. As a renowned cattle judge, he participated in all major livestock shows and exhibited numerous international and national Hereford champions. This scholarship supports young individuals involved with the Hereford breed who aspire to attend college and pursue a degree in agriculture. 

Suzanne Matheny, Charles E. Boyd’s daughter, sat on the interview committee. She said, “The quality of the junior Hereford breeders is second to none and Dad would be so impressed with the scholarship candidates." 

HYFA awarded $40,000 to outstanding Hereford youth at the 2024 JNHE and will award more than $200,000 throughout the year to deserving junior members to aid in their academic endeavors.

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 1986 and is a not-for-profit501(c)(3) corporation dedicated exclusively to scholarship and educational support of youth in the business of raising Hereford cattle. The mission of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America is to encourage, recognize and reward the development of life skills and values in the next generation of leaders by providing education, scholarship and leadership opportunities for Hereford Youth.