Youth

Beginning with the 2026 scholarship application process, we will implement a new online form to accept scholarship applications.

Here is how this form should be used:

• Indicate which scholarships you will be applying for. You can indicate multiple scholarships, keeping in mind each scholarship’s application guidelines. Also, remember that an applicant can receive only one Dairy Shrine scholarship and one Klussendorf/McKown scholarship annually. All scholarships listed to the left of this page are National Dairy Shrine scholarships except the Klussendorf/McKown scholarship.
• Input your contact information. Provide an email that you will check regularly, as that is the information we will use to notify you if you have received a scholarship, in addition to any other necessary informational needs.
• Upload your application(s) under the guidelines outlined on the form.
• Indicate whether you will be uploading a letter of recommendation or if that will be coming by other means, then upload the letter if you have it available.
• Indicate if you will be uploading a transcript or if that will be coming by other means, then upload the transcript if you have it available.
• Click submit. You will have the option to receive a confirmation that the application was uploaded successfully.

If you have any questions or issues related to uploading your information, please email the National Dairy Shrine office at [email protected] or call (920) 542-1003.

Dairy Shrine Maurice E. Core Freshman Scholarships

($1,500 each)

This scholarship is available to current freshman students at a four year college who are majoring in a dairy/animal industry related field with interest in working in the dairy industry in the future. Scholarship is based on leadership abilities, volunteerism, activities and plans for the future. This scholarship sponsored by the Maurice E. Core Scholarship fund, a fund created by donations from the Friends of Maurice E. Core, longtime leader in the Jersey breed and Dairy Shrine.

Dairy Shrine McCullough Freshman Communications Scholarship

($1,500 each)

(Number of awards is dependent on number & quality of applicants and availability of funds).

Applicant must be a freshman at a four-year-college or university majoring in Dairy/Animal Science with a Communications emphasis or Agricultural Journalism with a Dairy/Animal Science emphasis. Student must be planning on a future career in dairy journalism or communications. Scholarship is based on communication abilities, student activities, academic ability and future plans. This scholarship is funded from a bequest sponsored by Marshall E. McCullough, well-known Georgia nutrition researcher, educator and journalist.

National Dairy Shrine Dr. Les Hansen Student Recognition Award

(1st – $2,500; 2nd – $2,000; 3rd and greater – $1,500)

(Number of awards is dependent on number & quality of applicants and availability of funds).

Before his retirement in 2024, Hansen was Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota, earning accolades for his ground-breaking research in dairy genetics and ability to inspire excellence among both graduate and undergraduate students. Hansen’s influence has had a ripple effect throughout the industry as his 800-plus former advisees at the University of Minnesota have gone on to their own achievements and dairy leadership roles.

During his 43 years at Minnesota, Hansen focused attention on developing the full potential of every student. To that end, he helped launch the Gopher Dairy Club in 1982, shortly after joining the University of Minnesota faculty. Hansen remains involved in the University of Minnesota dairy program as a volunteer judging team coach and assists with student recruitment.

The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward graduating university or four year college seniors who are planning a career related to the dairy industry or production agriculture and who have demonstrated leadership skills, student activity participation, academic ability and interest in the dairy industry.

Dairy Shrine Merton Sowerby Junior Merit Scholarship

(1st – $2,000; 2nd and greater – $1,500)

(Number of awards is dependent on number & quality of applicants and availability of funds).

These scholarships are available to current junior students at a four year college who are planning a career in the dairy industry. Major areas of study include: Dairy Science, Agricultural Economics or Accounting, Dairy Genetics, Dairy Equipment, Dairy Nutrition, Dairy Feed or Pharmaceutical sales, Dairy Consultant, Dairy Extension, Dairy researcher or Professor. Scholarships are based on leadership, activities, academic ability and interest in the dairy industry. This scholarship is named in honor of Merton Sowerby, a long time Guernsey classifier, well known herdsman and National Dairy Shrine Pioneer and member of the National Dairy Hall of Fame.

Dairy Shrine / DMI Milk Marketing & Dairy Products Scholarship

(1st – $2,000; 2nd and greater – $1,500)

(Number of awards is dependent on number & quality of applicants and availability of funds).

These scholarships are available to any undergraduate student currently enrolled in their sophomore or junior year in a four-year college with an explicit interest in the dairy industry. The Dairy Shrine/DMI Milk Marketing and Dairy Products Scholarship is to encourage qualified undergraduate students to pursue careers in milk or dairy product marketing, dairy market enhancement or similar roles in the food industries. Major areas include Dairy/Agricultural Marketing and Dairy Foods or Food Product Science.

Dairy Shrine Kildee Graduate School Scholarship

(Up to 2 at $3,000)

Kildee scholarships were started in 1950 and were named in honor of H.H. Kildee, Dean Emeritus at Iowa State University, whose council; encouragement, and teaching inspired many of the industry’s early dairy leaders.

Students in their senior year of college through the first year after graduation may apply for up to two $3,000 scholarships. These scholarships are to be used for advanced study related to the dairy industry at the school of their choice.

The Top 25 All-American contestants in one of the past three National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Contests PLUS the members of the First & Second Place teams in the past three National Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge Contests are encouraged to apply.

Dairy Shrine Mike Lancaster Sophomore Merit Scholarship

(1st – $2,000; 2nd and greater – $1,500)

(Number of awards is dependent on number & quality of applicants and availability of funds).

These scholarships are provided to encourage undergraduate sophomore students at a four year college to pursue careers in the dairy industry. Major areas can include: Dairy Science, Agricultural Economics or Accounting, Dairy Genetics, Dairy Equipment, Dairy Nutrition, Dairy Feed or Pharmaceutical Marketing or Sales, Dairy Consultant, Dairy Extension or Dairy Researcher or Professor. Scholarships are based on leadership, activities, academic ability and interests in the dairy industry. This scholarship is named in honor of Distinguished Dairy Cattle Breeder and Klussendorf recipient Mike Lancaster.

Dairy Shrine / DMI Education & Communication Scholarship

(1st – $2,000; 2nd and greater – $1,500)

(Number of awards is dependent on number & quality of applicants and availability of funds).

These scholarships are provided to encourage undergraduate sophomores and junior students in a four year college to pursue education or communication careers in dairy or food related industries. Major areas can include: Education, Social Media & Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Food Science, Nutrition (Human), and Journalism. Scholarships are based on leadership, experience, academic ability and interests in education or communications. Co-sponsored with Dairy Management Inc.

Dairy  Shrine Iager Scholarship for Two Year College Students

(up to 2 at $1,500)

Iager scholarships are available to second year college students in a two-year agricultural college majoring in Dairy or Animal Science. Scholarships will be based on academic standing, leadership ability, interest in the dairy industry and future plans. This scholarship(s) is sponsored from a fund donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles lager, well known Maryland Holstein breeders.

Klussendorf / McKown Scholarships

(7 at $1,500)

Seven scholarships will be awarded, three from the Klussendorf’s Chris Kampf fund and four from the McKown Fund. Students who are eligible include those that are successfully completing their first, second or third years at a 2-year or 4-year college or university in the United States or Canada majoring in dairy science, animal science, agri-business, or other related majors that will develop the skills needed to pursue a career in the dairy industry. Scholarships are based on activities, experience, interest in showing dairy cattle and future plans. These awards are made possible by donations from Chris Kampf, the McKown family and from Klussendorf members and friends.

The Dairy Shrine Dairy Production Scholarship is to encourage qualified undergraduate students to pursue a career related to dairy production agriculture.

The scholarship is available to an undergraduate student currently enrolled in their final year in a two-year college, a certificate program, or a four-year college with an explicit interest in returning to a dairy farm in a management role.  Students can receive this scholarship only once.

Applicants must initially be nominated by their advisor. There is no limit to the number of applications from a specific school. In addition to completion of this form, applicants will participate in a video interview to determine the final recipients.

Up to four $2,500 scholarships will be given. Up to two scholarships will be awarded to students in a two-year or certificate program and up to two will be awarded to students in a four-year program.  Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet. One of the $2,500 scholarships is provided through a sponsorship from Cargill.

Application/Letter of Recommendation/Transcripts are accepted from

March 1, until April 15, midnight, CST.

Richard H.L. Chichester Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Richard H. L. Chichester spent 27 years as the general manager of Select Sires Inc. He is renowned for his work in cattle genetics and is recognized worldwide as a goodwill ambassador for the U.S. dairy and beef industries. Under his leadership, Select Sires became the largest artificial insemination cooperative in the world. Chichester was recognized as the 1994 Dairy Shrine Guest of Honor and the 1995 World Dairy Expo Industry Person of the Year.

The Richard H.L. Chichester scholarship is available to any undergraduate student currently enrolled in their third or fourth year at a four-year college with an explicit interest in the dairy industry.  Students can receive this scholarship only once. The applicant must have at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA (4.0 scale, accumulated or equivalent).

National Dairy Shrine Pre-Vet Scholarship Application

Amount: $2,500

The National Dairy Shrine Pre-Vet scholarship is being awarded to recognize and support students who are pursuing a veterinary career in large animal production agriculture. The scholarship is being supported through a donation by Zoetis.

One award, totaling $2,500, will be provided to students in the third or fourth year of their undergraduate study.  A student may win this award only once. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Dairy Shrine Awards Banquet.