KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bryden Barber, Channing, Texas, and Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., were awarded EE Ranches Scholarships 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.

Barber is a senior at Oklahoma State University majoring in animal science livestock marketing, with hopes of pursuing a master’s degree in either cattle nutrition or reproduction. Barber has been a heavily involved junior member, recognized over the years for his success in and out of the showring, including being named Herdsman of the Year at the 2022 Junior National Hereford Expo. He holds an active role on his family’s Hereford operation and assists with growing and marketing the Barber Ranch and their genetics.

“Getting my master’s in either nutrition or reproduction will allow me to bring an outside eye to our operation and allow our operation to become more efficient,” said Barber. “It is also a very big goal of mine to give back to the NJHA for always putting me into a position to succeed in life”

Mouser is a sophomore at Butler Community College where she is studying agribusiness and a member of the livestock judging team. Following her time at the junior college, she plans to achieve her undergraduate and graduate degrees before continuing on for a doctorate degree in ruminant nutrition. 

“My underlying career goal is to tell the story of science; the science of the beef industry,” said Mouser. “This truly is an all-encompassing statement for the passions that drives me. I am fueled by a desire to learn, I aspire to understand concepts and industries on an in-depth, scientific level, I have a love for cattle and an investment in the beef industry, and some of my greatest joy is found when sharing these passions with others.”

EE Ranches, Dallas, Texas, annually sponsors two $5,000 scholarships through HYFA. These scholarships are made possible by Jo Ellard and her late husband, Bill, of Texas. EE Ranches was one of HYFA’s first scholarship endowments; the funds have assisted many youth in the achievement of their goals since its inception. 

“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 more than $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.