KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Luke Daniels, Dalhart, Texas, and Ben Jensen, Courtland, Kan., were awarded the 2024 Ostgaard-Breiner Memorial Scholarships during the 2024 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Conference in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 25. During the award ceremony, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and its donors awarded $165,500 in scholarships to 27 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals.

Daniels is working toward his doctorate of veterinary medicine at the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine. He is following in his parents’ career footsteps, hoping to operate a veterinary practice to serve a rural community. 

“Animal health and welfare is virtually all that I have ever known from a young age. I did not understand then though, that the veterinary medicine profession is extremely demanding, exasperating and difficult,” Daniels said. “I can tell you, that has not been significant enough to sway my decision to pursue my passion to help animals.”

Jensen is returning to higher education at the Washburn School of Law as he studies to be a doctor of jurisprudence. His long-term goals include working for a law firm or public interest group, advocating for first amendment rights and/or the interests of smaller farmers and ranchers.

Outside of his professional career goals, Jensen has aspirations for his involvement in both the cattle industry and the Hereford breed. “I plan to be involved in the mentorship of others by directly teaching kids in the Hereford breed and agricultural industry about how to get involved in the livestock show industry,” he said.

In 2019, the National Hereford Women (NHW) board of directors lost two of their beloved board members: Sandra Adams Ostgaard of Dayton, Ohio, and Callea Mae Breiner of Alma, Kan. Adams Ostgaard was incredibly active within the Hereford breed, serving as the Ohio Hereford Women president and an Ohio Hereford Junior Association advisor. She passed her love of the Hereford breed to her children and grandchildren. As a retired high school home economics and elementary teacher, Adams Ostgaard held education of all forms in high regard.  Breiner was not only active on the NHW board, but she was also a member of  the Kansas Hereford Association and served as a local community 4-H club leader. Her love for the Hereford breed continues to be carried on by her husband and sons. As an advanced practice registered nurse, Breiner had a love to learn as reflected through her successful pursuit of receiving a doctorate degree.

The selection committee continues to be impressed by the high caliber of applicants. “The vast majority of applicants were outstanding. Each year applications seem more and more competitive, which leads me to believe that the future of the Hereford breed, and agriculture in general, is in good hands,” said Nancy Keilty, HYFA scholarship committee member.

The scholarship fund serves as the bedrock of HYFA, and countless youth benefit from its mission. Since its inception, HYFA has awarded scholarships fueling educational opportunities. For years, these scholarships have been lighting the way for youth in the Hereford breed. Recently, the foundation celebrated awarding more than $2 million in scholarships to assist Hereford youth further their education, since its founding in 2000.

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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.