Many of us grow up with dreams to follow in our parents’ footsteps, in one way or another. With the help of the DFA Cares Foundation, Samuel Lee is hoping to do just that. Samuel is a recent recipient of a DFA Cares scholarship. Our scholarships support the next generation of advocates for dairy and agriculture with thousands of dollars in aid every year.
Samuel’s mom, Mimi Lee, has been a dedicated employee of DFA farmer-owned brand, Alta Dena® Dairy, and previously with Dean Foods, for over 20 years, instilling her son with a passion for the dairy industry and its legacy. He hopes that his degree in economics and accounting from the University of California-Santa Barbara will allow him to contribute to the future of dairy and make his parents proud.
“Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the power of perseverance and passion from my parents,” Samuel says. “My mom’s dedication to DFA and my dad’s rise in the finance sector taught me the value of hard work and shaped my dream to bridge their worlds into my future career as an accountant and economist in the food and agricultural industry.”
With a passion for serving his community, Samuel makes time to mentor younger students, volunteer at local food banks, and participate in student groups on campus like the environmental justice alliance, which raises awareness of and encourages action for sustainability at the university and in the surrounding areas.
“To me, this scholarship represents more than financial support,” he says. “It is an opportunity to deepen my connection with DFA and contribute meaningfully to an industry that plays a critical role in global communities. As the largest dairy cooperative in the United States, DFA is a model of innovation and long-term growth in agriculture. With this scholarship, I am excited to pursue a career dedicated to advancing the future of the dairy industry, ensuring its continued success for generations.”
We’re hashtagDFAProud of students like Samuel who are dedicated to preserving family dairy farms and advancing the future of the industry. We’ll continue to highlight scholarship recipients like Samuel in the coming weeks.
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