KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Emma Ballinger, McKee, Ky. and Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill., were awarded the two, $5,000 EE Ranches Scholarships during the 2026 American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting and Educational Forum in Kansas City, Mo., on Oct. 23. In a special awards ceremony, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and its donors awarded $168,000 in scholarships to 28 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members to help support their higher-education goals.

Ballinger is a senior at the University of Kentucky studying agricultural education and advocacy. She plans to have a career in agricultural education and outreach, with a passion for informal education including programs, events, outreach and advocacy.

“I want to combine my passion for agriculture with my strengths in communication and leadership to become an advocate and educator for an industry that has given me so much,” Ballinger says.

Boatman is a sophomore ag transfer student and a member of the livestock judging team at Lake Land College. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to  pursue a degree in agricultural communications.

“Growing up on a cattle operation has shown me the importance of having people willing to step up and be a voice for farmers and ranchers,” Boatman says. “I will be committed to advocating for agriculture and help ensure it stays respected and supported for generations to come.”

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. 

“It was exciting and inspiring to read scholarship applications from a very strong group of Hereford juniors,” says George Sprague, HYFA scholarship committee member. “Their academic records and their contributions both to agriculture and to their communities were first rate and set standards that make the Hereford breed proud.” 

The scholarship fund is the bedrock of HYFA, and countless youth are benefactors of its mission. Since its inception, HYFA has fueled educational opportunities with scholarships and awards. For years, these scholarships have been lighting the way for young Hereford enthusiasts. The Foundation continues to invest in the future of the Hereford breed, recently surpassing $2.6 million in scholarships awarded to youth pursuing higher education.

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The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) was established in 2000 and is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) 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. 

Find photos and press release here.