2023 DFA Cares Foundation Scholarships

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) recognizes the importance of developing future leaders in the dairy and food manufacturing industry and is committed to investing in their education. Since its inception 16 years ago, the DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship Program has grown to honor an increasing number of outstanding students who are pursuing careers in the dairy industry.

Selection criteria include a commitment and passion for a career in the dairy industry, extracurricular activities, awards and work experience and academic achievement. This year, DFA’s scholarship committee identified 63 recipients who will receive a combined total of $82,000.

Precollege students

• Carmen Kuiper, Hico, Texas, plans to attend Oklahoma State University and major in animal science
• Abbygail Schlough, Boyceville, Wis., plans to attend University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and major in agriculture education
• Joseph Achen, Little Falls, Minn., plans to attend Purdue University and major in agribusiness
• Bryson Stejskal, Ulysses, Kan., plans to attend Kansas State University and major in feed science and management
• Makayla Miller, Newburgh, Maine, plans to attend University of Maine and major in animal science
• Darcy Heltzel, Martinsburg, Pa., plans to attend Penn State University and major in biological engineering
• Camila Marmolejo Muriel, San Diego, Calif., plans to attend Harvard College and major in molecular and cellular biology
• Bailey Meireis, Gill, Colo., plans to attend Aims Community College and major in animal science
• Mylie Rexing, Fort Branch, Ind., plans to attend Purdue University and major in agribusiness
• Cole Meyer, Hanover, Kan., plans to attend Salina Area Technical School and major in machine and robotic technology
• Lincoln Michaud, East Hardwick, Vt., plans to attend Cornell University and major in animal science
• Grace Heavyside, Lipan, Texas, plans to attend Tarleton State University and major in wildlife, sustainability and ecosystem sciences
• William Jones, Kilgore, Texas, plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in ag systems management

• Rachel Laird, Cornell, Wisc., plans to attend Chippewa Valley Technical College and major in animal science management
• Zoe Meeks, Dalhart, Texas, plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in agriculture economics
• Payson Rienhardt, Exeter, Maine, plans to attend University of Maine and major in forestry/conservation
• Emily Robbins, Aurora, S.D., plans to attend South Dakota State University and major in agriculture business and communications
• Allison Gabel, Lawtons, N.Y., plans to attend SUNY Cobleskill and major in animal science, dairy production and management
• Kelly Bliss, Huntingdon, Pa., plans to attend Cornell University and major in bioengineering
• Christie Peng, Johns Creek, Ga., plans to attend University of Georgia and major in business/culinary science and nutrition
• Lauren Homan, New Bremen, Ohio, plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in dairy production and management
• Lauryn Young, Chehalis, Wash., plans to attend Modesto Junior College and major in dairy science
• Serena Palmer, Preston, Idaho, plans to attend Brigham Young University–Idaho and major in animal science
• Ellie Dyt, Crows Landing, Calif., plans to attend California Polytechnic University and major in agriculture business
• Nevin Erbsen, Lanark, Ill., plans to attend Iowa State University and major in agriculture systems technology
• Raegen Johnson, Windsor, Colo., plans to attend Adams State University and major in agriculture business

• Sara Kennedy, Columbia Cross Roads, Pa., plans to attend Penn State University and major in animal science
• Marissa Miller, Andreas, Pa., plans to attend Lehigh Carbon Community College and major in business management
• Tera Morgan, Circleville, Utah, plans to attend Southern Utah University and major in business
• Stephanie Alstaetter, Bellefontaine, Ohio, plans to attend Wilmington College and major in animal science
•  Larson Vieth, Windthorst, Texas, plans to attend Texas State Technical College and major in solar energy technology
• Makayla Osinga, Hico, Texas, plans to attend Texas Tech University and major in agriculture business
• Ellie Edler, Browntown, Wis., plans to attend University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and major in human resources

Undergraduate students

• Koren Truance, Vinton, Ohio, attends The Ohio State University and majors in agriscience education
• Haven Hileman, Stout, Ohio, attends The Ohio State University and majors in animal science
• Kylie Konyn, Madison, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin–Madison and majors in dairy science
• Caris Jones, Hermitage, Tenn., attends Tuskegee University and majors in animal, poultry and veterinary science
• Daniel Salas, Moscow, Idaho, attends University of Idaho and majors in animal and veterinary science
• Layne Burnett, Lubbock, Texas, attends Texas Tech University and majors in agriculture communications
• Sarah Hagenow, St. Paul, Minn., attends University of Minnesota–Twin Cities and majors in agriculture and food business management
• Shelby Bellows, Brooklyn, Conn., attends Virginia Tech and majors in dairy science
• Krista Carlton, Little Plymouth, Va., attends Virginia Tech and majors in animal and poultry sciences
• Jenna Gries, Manitowoc, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin–Madison and majors in dairy science
• Chloe La Crosse, Forestville, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin–Madison and majors in dairy science
• Kaylee Mess, Rosendale, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin–Platteville and majors in agriculture education and technology education
• Becky Kropf, Westphalia, Kan., attends Brown University and majors in economics
• Carrie Rhoades, Greenville, Ohio, attends Oklahoma State University and majors in agriculture education
• Brooklin Drake, Marathon, N.Y., attends SUNY Cobleskill and majors in agriculture business
• Dana Heltzel, Martinsburg, Pa., attends University of Pittsburgh and majors in nutrition and dietetics
• Sydney Haag, Thorntown, Ind., attends Purdue University and majors in animal science
• Brielle Prock, Denair, Calif., attends Oklahoma State University and majors in agriculture communications and agribusiness
• Linda Jacob, Haubstadt, Ind., attends Vincennes University and majors in agribusiness
• Allison Fincham, Marysville, Kan., attends Faith Baptist Bible College and majors in elementary education
• Aaron Broering, Maria Stein, Ohio, attends Miami University and majors in marketing
• Nathan Brubaker, Mount Joy, Pa., attends Cornell University and majors in biological engineering
• Jessica Nolt, Hartley, Texas, attends Iowa State University and majors in agribusiness
• Abby Fairbanks, Anamosa, Iowa, attends University of Wisconsin–Platteville and majors in dairy science

Graduate students

• Zonia Elizabeth Caro Carvajal, Starkville, Miss., attends Mississippi State University, pursuing food science and technology
• Suchismita Roy, Manhattan, Kan., attends Kansas State University, pursuing food science
• Kiara Gilardi, Davis, Calif., attends University of California, Davis, pursuing veterinary medicine
• Mollee Eickmeyer, Hoyleton, Ill., attends University of Illinois, pursuing veterinary medicine
• Taliah Danzinger, Durand, Wis., attends University of Wisconsin–Madison, pursuing dairy science
• Amy Powers, Bristol, Conn., attends Post University, pursuing business administration

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative focusing on quality, innovation and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving nearly 11,000 family farm-owners, DFA manufactures a variety of dairy products, including fluid milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, dairy ingredients and more that connect our Cooperative’s family farms to family tables with regional brands such as Alta Dena® Dairy, Meadow Gold® Dairy, Friendly®’s, Borden® Cheese, Plugrá® Premium Butter and Kemps® to name a few. On a global scale, we work with some of the world’s largest food companies to develop ingredients their customers are craving, while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming. For more information, please visit dfamilk.com.