MADISON, Wis. — Salem Sifford, a National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) member from Goldvein, Va., won the $2,500 Bud Snidow Award and Scholarship at the 2026 VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). The award was presented during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony July 9 in Madison, Wis. 

Each year, the National Hereford Women (NHW) pay tribute to Bud Snidow, a former American Hereford Association employee and a respected Hereford historian, by presenting a custom buckle and scholarship in his honor. This award goes to an outstanding NJHA member who exemplifies the values Snidow held dear: fairness, a strong work ethic, enthusiasm and an unwavering dedication to the Hereford breed and its community. 

“It is always a privilege to participate in the HYFA scholarship process and support the next generation of young leaders as they pursue their academic and professional aspirations,” says Lindsey Jacobs, NHW board member. “Each year, we are fortunate to receive applications from an increasingly talented and accomplished group of candidates, making our selection process that much harder. Seeing the growth, strength and perseverance of this next generation reaffirms the bright future that we have as an organization and as an industry.” 

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. 

Sifford is a graduate student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University pursuing a master’s degree in animal and poultry science with a focus on beef cattle Extension. She also retired her maroon jacket during the awards ceremony, after serving as the 2025-2026NJHA chairman.

Her career goals are to expand and improve her cattle operation, while working toward a career as a livestock judging coach, after discovering her passion for teaching livestock evaluation.

“I have tried to surround myself with powerful resources within the livestock industry, while continuing to work with 4-H, FFA and collegiate contestants to continue to learn what teaching techniques work best,” Sifford says. “With this goal in mind, I have maintained my passion to help producers improve their herd, as well. While working through my master's study, I have had the chance to complete studies that place commercial cattle producers at the forefront.”

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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. 

Find photos and press release here.