KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gavin Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo., was awarded the Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship during the 2026 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Educational Forum in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 23. In a special awards ceremony, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and its donors awarded $168,000 in scholarships to 28 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals.

Rhode is a junior at the University of Missouri-Columbia, majoring in agribusiness management and animal science with plans on pursuing either a master’s in business administration or law school following his undergraduate degree. His career goals include estate and succession planning to ensure agricultural families pass on their legacy to future generations.

“I have developed a strong interest in helping producers successfully transition their operations to the next generation,” Rhode says. “I want to combine my background of agriculture with business or law to help families develop thoughtful and intentional action plans to protect their assets, preserve their family legacy and keep their operations going for future generations.”

The Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship, given on behalf of HYFA, is a $2,500 scholarship in memory of Gary Bishop. The Oklahoma native first began working for the AHA in 1973, serving in the capacities of assistant director of Total Performance Records, director of feedlot and carcass programs and director of field services. He also served as director of youth activities, which was a job he held in high esteem throughout his life. He dedicated much of his energy to working for the betterment of Hereford youth organizations. The scholarship is awarded to a deserving member of the NJHA to continue their college education.

“This group of applicants was incredible,” says Jodi Jordan, Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship selection committee member, and daughter of Gary Bishop. “From their work experience to their insightful essays, they simply blew us away. Well done juniors, family, supporters and advisors.” 

The scholarship fund is the bedrock of HYFA, and countless youth are benefactors of its mission. Since its inception, HYFA has fueled educational opportunities with scholarships and awards. For years, these scholarships have been lighting the way for young Hereford enthusiasts. The Foundation continues to invest in the future of the Hereford breed, recently surpassing $2.6 million in scholarships awarded to youth pursuing higher education.

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 2000 and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) 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.