KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Steve Folkman, Ixonia, Wis., was awarded a bronze bull in recognition of his service to the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) as his retirement from the board of directors n was announced during the 2024 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 25. During this special awards ceremony, HYFA and its donors proudly awarded $165,500 in scholarships to 27 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals, and Folkman’s involvement since joining the board has continued to make opportunities like these for NJHA members possible.

Folkman joined the HYFA board in 2009. For two decades his leadership was instrumental to the success of the Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) and most importantly, the JNHE Oversight Committee and the Growing a Lasting Legacy Campaign that was put into place to ensure the sustainability of future JNHE’s and leadership events for generations to come. 

In addition to serving as chairman of the JNHE Oversight Committee, Steve was an avid supporter of the Lot 1 Foundation Female program that generated well over $1 million since its start in 2008 to support programs like the FRowing a Lasting Legacy campaign. The Folkman family and friends purchased the lot 1 female that sold at the National Western Stock Show in 2016 for $80,0000. This historic purchase turned out to be a gift that kept on giving. Over the years, Steve continued to donate select progeny and genetics from the iconic  KJ BJ DWE 686Z Salsa 364C ET female back to HYFA. The highlight of this fundraising effort happened in 2024 when Folkman sold the choice of flush sisters on the national sale in Oklahoma City with all proceeds going to HYFA, this time earmarked to support the Wisconsin Queen Scholarship Fund that Steve built during his tenure on the board.

“Steve has been my right hand man when it comes to navigating the various facilities where we host the JNHE and he has been an integral part of the journey serving as chairman of the host committee for the Grand Drive to 05 in his home state of Wisconsin and managing the Bobcat unloading crew at the Mad Dash to the Hereford Bash,” said Amy Cowan, director of youth activities and foundation at the AHA. “Simply put, Steve has made HYFA better, he is a friend to all of us and the wisdom and legacy that he leaves will continue to play out in all of the foundation’s pillars.”

Since the beginning, HYFA’s focus has primarily been geared toward supporting youth and scholarship, but in recent years has expanded that mission to include leadership and education. Through educational programs at the JNHE, Hereford youth have the opportunity to gain invaluable skills that will enable them to become self-directing, educated leaders in today’s world. The JNHE has topped the record books on several occasions and the excitement that surrounds the event, the momentum and the positive energy it creates for the entire Hereford breed is unmatched.

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 2000, when the American Hereford Youth Foundation and the American Polled Hereford Youth Foundation, Inc., merged. HYFA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the scholarship and educational support of young people in the Hereford industry. Its mission 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.