KANSAS CITY, Mo. — James Brody Rogers, Bryan, Texas, was awarded the Merry Family/MGM Memorial Scholarship during the 2023 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 20. In a special awards ceremony, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and its donors proudly awarded $163,000 in scholarships to 27 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals.

 Rogers is working towards his doctorate of veterinary medicine at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine. He has goals of opening his own veterinary practice in a rural community as well as offering bovine reproductive services. To achieve this, he wants to spend his fourth year clinical rotation at Trans Ova for experience in the reproductive field.

“Living in a small town helped me decide that I would like to go back into a rural community after graduation,” Rogers said. “I understand small towns and living in one showed me their shortcomings, especially when considering veterinary medicine. That is why I wish to help provide these services to a rural community in need.”

The Merry Family/MGM Memorial Scholarship of $2,500 is sponsored by HYFA and dedicated to students pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine, carrying on the legacy of Gordon and Marian Merry from Wisconsin. MGM Polled Herefords believes the future of agriculture lies in the hands of our industry’s hard-working youth, and the Merry family recognizes the dedication required from young people to raise and exhibit livestock and rewards juniors who are passionate about Hereford cattle annually with this scholarship. 

“The foundation takes great pride in our scholarship program and the opportunities we are able to provide to assist our young people throughout their college journeys,” says Amy Cowan, AHA’s director of youth activities and foundation. “The selection committee continues to be impressed by the high caliber of applicants and are confident that today’s NJHA members will be tomorrow’s leaders in whatever industry they pursue.” 

The scholarship fund is the bedrock of HYFA and countless youth are benefactors of its mission. This last fiscal year, the foundation celebrated net assets reaching $6.3 million and in total $221,500 was given back to Hereford youth to assist with their college educations. 

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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.