MADISON, Wis. — Kaylee Lunsford, Fort Scott, Kan., and Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan., were each awarded a $2,500 Bob Call Founders Scholarship during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony at the 2026 VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), July 9 in Madison, Wis. 

The Bob Call Founders Scholarship honors the legacy of Bob Call, HYFA’s first president and a trailblazer in the establishment of its scholarship and leadership initiatives. This scholarship recognizes two outstanding Hereford youth and is fittingly awarded during the JNHE, where Call chaired the host committee 26 years ago for the first event in Oklahoma. Bob and his wife, Dolores Call, Cushing, Okla., owned and operated CBY Polled Herefords and loved nothing more than supporting Hereford youth and watching them succeed.

“Team Hereford continues to grow with the up-and-coming youth,” says Jill Bielema, HYFA board member. “These young people are grounded in the agricultural industry and will lead the breed to new heights, and I am very grateful for their enthusiasm and knowledge.”

During the 2026 JNHE, HYFA awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships and awards to exemplary Hereford youth and will allocate more than $220,000 throughout the year to support junior members in their academic pursuits. 

Kaylee Lunsford is a recent graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in animal science and plans to begin graduate school this fall focusing on global studies and international agriculture. She aspires to build a career in international agricultural law — not only advancing her professional interests but also supporting producers and contributing to the long-term sustainability of agriculture. 

While pursuing her professional goals, Lunsford plans to continue her family's growing cow-calf program, centered on producing functional, efficient cattle that perform in real-world production systems. 

“Beyond the financial support, this scholarship represents an investment from an industry that has played a significant role in shaping my goals,” Lunsford says. “That support motivates me to continue working toward a career where I can advocate for agriculture on a broader scale and contribute to the future of the industry.” 

Rylie Meinhardt is a junior at Kansas State University majoring in animal sciences and industry with a focus in communications. Being an advocate for the agricultural industry and the people it represents inspires her future career goals. 

When thinking about the Hereford breed, Meinhardt believes it is summarized in one word — mentorship. Currently, she serves on the NJHA board of directors, showcasing mentorship every day, while simultaneously treating it as a mantra in her family's cattle operation, Redwood Cattle Co.

“Grant, Linda and Bailey McKay were the first mentors that we had in the Hereford breed. They allowed us to get our start by showing their heifers, teaching us how to wash, do hair work, show, make breeding decisions and so many more things,” Meinhardt says. “That is a goal of ours at Redwood Cattle Co. no matter your experience level, we want to support you in any way that you need us to.” 

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 2000 and is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to its four core pillars of scholarship, leadership, education and research. The mission of HYFA 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. For more information about HYFA, visit Herefordyouthfoundation.org.

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