MADISON, Wis. — Dylan Kottkamp, Clayton, Ind., received the $1,500 Bluegrass and Buckeye Scholarship at the 2023 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony on July 13 in Madison, Wis. Kottkamp is entering his senior year at Oklahoma State University, majoring in agricultural business, with a minor in marketing. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a master’s degree in international agriculture before advancing a career in agricultural sales.

This year will mark Kottkamp’s 22nd consecutive JNHE. “At just 3 weeks old, I was flown to Billings, Mont., for my first junior nationals in 2001,” Kottkamp said.

He says his biggest role model in life is his grandfather who instilled the different traits Kottkamp carries through life, including making connections, working with people, being respectful and living life to the fullest. Kottkamp credits his accomplishments to mentors and leaders that share his love for the Hereford breed.

The Bluegrass and Buckeye Hereford Scholarship is made possible by the Kentucky and Ohio Hereford Associations, alongside HYFA. Each year they present a $1,500 scholarship to provide recognition for an outstanding member of the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA). The scholarship’s purpose is to develop leaders for both the Hereford breed and the beef industry.

“HYFA is proud of its scholarship program,” said George Sprague, HYFA scholarship committee member. “It has grown tremendously over the last decade. More than $200,000 in scholarships are now awarded annually. Equally gratifying, the quality and professionalism of the applicants vying for these awards improves each year. HYFA is confident that all the applicants will make substantial contributions to agriculture and the Hereford industry.”

HYFA awarded $29,000 to outstanding Hereford youth at the 2023 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-profit 501(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.