MADISON, Wis. — Dustin Denton, Blue Rapids, Kan., received the Mead Family Memorial $2,000 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. 

Mead Cattle Enterprises, Midville, Ga., has been dedicated to breeding Hereford cattle for more than 40 years. As original members of the Pro Performance Breeders group, they have long supported young Hereford enthusiasts. In 2020, the Mead family experienced the loss of two amazing ladies and the backbone of their Hereford operation, owner Tommy Mead's mother, Hazel Mead, and his wife, Valarie Mead. To honor their memory, family and friends established the Mead Family Memorial Scholarship Endowment in 2021. 

“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and I continue to be inspired by their knowledge, ambition and dedication,” says Tommie Mead Jones, daughter of Tommy and Valarie. “Dustin’s application was genuine and thoughtfully reflected both his involvement within the industry and his future career goals. I’m honored to have the opportunity to support his aspirations through our scholarship and to play a small part in continuing the growth and future of the Hereford breed.”

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.

Dustin Denton is a sophomore at Kansas State University (K-State) where he is majoring in animal sciences and industry under the pre-veterinary pathway. As part of the K-State Veterinary Scholars Early Admission Program, after he completes his undergraduate degree, he will transfer to the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.

His career goals include practicing veterinary medicine near his hometown so he can also continue building his herd of Hereford cattle.

“Although the journey will be difficult and time consuming, I know that veterinary medicine is something I am passionate about and will put my best effort into every step of the process,” says Denton.

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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. 

Fnd photos and press release here.