KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Edward Gould, Toutle, Wash., was awarded the honorary Willard Wolf Memorial Scholarship at the 2024 Western States National Hereford Show in Reno, Nev., Dec. 7. The $2,000 scholarship annually goes to a high-achieving National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) member from the western states and is given on behalf of the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and the Western States Hereford Association.

Gould is a graduate student working on his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Corban University. His career goals within the agriculture industry focus on business and finance. Having an untraditional pathway through college, he graduated high school with his associate degree. He was able to finish his bachelor's degree in two years, and hopes to have his MBA by the age of 21.

“What I enjoy best about the Western States Hereford Show is the sale and the community that is brought together through the show,” Gould said. “I have been honored to connect and converse with many different organizations and individuals that are staples within the Hereford breed. These connections are mostly due to the community that surrounds this show and the opportunities it gives us to learn from those around us.”

During the 2021 Western States National Hereford Show and Sale, a scholarship fund was established through HYFA in honor of Willard Wolf. Wolf had a career spanning more than 33 years with the American Hereford Association, serving as the western region field representative. He touched the lives of countless people involved with Hereford cattle, even after his retirement. He was instrumental in organizing the show and sale, formerly the "Western Nugget," now known as the Western States National Hereford Show and Sale. 

Wolf and his wife, Patty, were an integral part of establishing the event’s junior show that’s  celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024. Wolf was respected by all who knew him and through this scholarship, his legacy continues in the lives of Hereford youth.

“On behalf of the committee, I can confidently say that the applicants for the Western States Hereford Scholarships were indeed all deserving, each showcasing remarkable talent and dedication,” said Marty Wilcox, Western States Hereford Scholarship committee. “Selecting just three recipients was incredibly challenging, especially considering the legacy of the two great men, John Ascuaga and Willard Wolf, who were instrumental in making the Western States Hereford 'Nugget' show what it is today.”

The Western States Hereford Association awarded a total of $6,500 this year in partnership with HYFA. 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, and 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 since 2000 to assist Hereford youth further their education.

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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.