Checkoff invests in next-generation dairy leaders

Midwest Dairy is committed to developing the next generation of dairy leaders. Each year, we dedicate checkoff dollars to scholarships that support college students with dairy backgrounds or pursuing dairy‑related fields of study. These investments cultivate future advocates, innovators and industry leaders who will carry dairy forward.

Investing in scholarships helps reduce financial barriers for students, many of whom have grown up on dairy farms within our checkoff region, are employed by producers, or have family ties to the dairy industry. They have a deep appreciation for the work farmers do every day. Scholarships help them take the next steps in their careers and stay rooted in dairy as they do.

These awards also help attract new talent to the industry. As dairy evolves with new technologies, sustainability practices and consumer expectations, the need for skilled professionals continues to grow. Scholarships signal to students that dairy is a dynamic, innovative field with room for their ideas and ambitions.

Scholarships offer more than financial support. They help build long‑term advocates for dairy. Many recipients go on to participate in leadership programs, internships and industry events that deepen their understanding of dairy’s role in feeding communities and supporting rural economies.

These students often become some of the industry’s strongest voices, whether they return to the farm, join a dairy cooperative, work in research or nutrition, or take on roles in marketing, policy or education. Their experiences, combined with the support they received from dairy farmers, position them to speak confidently and credibly about the value of dairy in today’s world.

Midwest Dairy is now accepting applications for 2026 scholarships. Scholarship opportunities vary by state and region, and include:

— Illinois: Five $1,000 educational scholarships with applications due by March 1, 2026.

— Iowa: Eleven $1,000 educational scholarships with applications due by March 1, 2026.

— Minnesota: More than $3,000 in scholarships are available at the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and two $1,200 scholarships are available at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Due dates vary by school.

— MoKan (Missouri and Kansas): Two $1,000 and eight $500 educational scholarships with applications due by March 15, 2026.

— Nebraska: One $1,500, two $1,000 and three $500 educational scholarships with applications due by March 1, 2026.

— North Dakota: One $1,000 educational scholarship available through North Dakota State University, with applications due by March 1, 2026.

— Ozarks (Oklahoma and Arkansas): Four $750 educational scholarships with applications due by March 15, 2026.

— South Dakota: Annual scholarships available to students studying at South Dakota State University, with application due dates varying.

In addition to scholarships available from Midwest Dairy, Dairy Management Inc. also offers national checkoff-funded scholarships, including National Dairy Promotion and Research Board Undergraduate Scholarships and National Dairy Shrine Scholarships.

To learn more about Midwest Dairy’s regional scholarship opportunities, as well as national checkoff scholarship opportunities, please visit www.midwestdairy.com/scholarships.