Six Tennessee students were awarded the Youth Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship, sponsored by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association and Farm Credit Mid-America. They received this award during the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association’s virtual youth awards presentation on January 23rd.
The Heifer Initiative focuses on cost-sharing of beef cattle for youth. First place winners of each age division are awarded $2,000 and belt buckle sponsored by the University of Tennessee Animal Science, and the second-place winners are awarded $1,000.
“The heifer scholarship initiative is one of the most rewarding programs our association offers to youth,” said Melinda Perkins, TCA Director of Youth Programs and Outreach. “We are able to help the future leaders of our industry by offsetting the cost of purchasing a heifer. This is just one way we can help them get off to the right start in our industry. We are grateful to partner with Farm Credit Mid-America on the heifer scholarship program again this year.”
Ty Maynord of Overton County won first place in the Youth Division and Emma Meadows of Greene County won second place. Dallas Bomar of Henry County won first place in the Junior High Division and Blaire Lamon, also of Henry County, won second place. Emma Armstrong of Bedford County won first place in the Senior High Division and Allie Harrison of Washington County won second place.
“I am so grateful to win the heifer scholarship,” said Dallas Bomar, junior high winner from Henry County. “It will give me the opportunity to build my own registered herd of cattle and produce quality calves.”
This scholarship money is to be put towards the purchase of a beef heifer of their choice from a Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association member within one year of receiving the funds. There are three age divisions: Youth, Junior High, and Senior High.
Emma Armstrong, senior high winner from Bedford County said, “It was an incredible honor to receive the TCA/FCMA Youth Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship. I love that I can personally contribute to growing my own herd of cattle. I take great pride in knowing that my efforts have helped buy part of my future. Thank you to all those who made this possible!”
The application for the 2022 Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship will be available in the fall of 2021.