Dairy Checkoff Names 2025–2026 Scholarship Winners
The dairy checkoff is backing the next generation of leaders with its latest round of scholarships. Twelve students from across the U.S. were honored for their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to dairy-related careers.
The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), through Dairy Management Inc., awards the scholarships each year. Eleven students each receive $2,500, while one student earns the $3,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Spotlight on the Memorial Scholarship
This year’s top honor went to Rachel Visser of the University of Minnesota. Visser is pursuing a double major in Agricultural and Food Business Management and Agricultural Communications and Marketing. Her leadership and career focus earned her the 2025–2026 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Scholarship Recipients
Students awarded $2,500 scholarships are:
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Cassie Bohnert, Iowa State University
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Shelby Butler, University of Kentucky
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Sara Kennedy, Pennsylvania State University
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Katie Ketchum, University of Wisconsin–River Falls
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Clancey Krahn, Oklahoma State University
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Sienna Mahaffy, Oklahoma State University
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Ava Mitchell, Michigan State University
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Emma Parrigon, Ozarks Technical Community College
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Chloe Rogers, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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Iris Schilderink, Texas Tech University
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Jessemy Sharp, South Dakota State University
Investing in Dairy’s Future
The scholarships are open to students majoring in areas that support the dairy industry, including communications, marketing, economics, nutrition, food science, and agricultural education. By funding these future professionals, the dairy checkoff is investing in skills the industry needs most—from business and science to advocacy and consumer outreach.
This program helps ensure the dairy sector continues to benefit from bright, motivated leaders ready to shape its future.
