Premier Select Sires awarded over $19,000 to students through the 2026 Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program. Two students received $2,500 scholarships through the Wayne Dudley Scholarship and the Johnny Daniel Memorial Scholarship. Twenty-two other students received scholarships of $500 to $1,500 in value.
Claire Fogler of Exeter, ME is the daughter of Kathryn and Travis Fogler. She is the recipient of the $2500 Wayne Dudley Scholarship. Claire is from Stonyvale Farm, a Holstein operation. She attends Iowa State University and studies Dairy Science. After graduating, Claire plans to return home to her family’s dairy farm, expand her experience and knowledge on the farm, and later assume a management position.
Johanna Heijkoop of Mayo, FL is the daughter of Johan and Trisha Heijkoop. She is the recipient of the $2500 Johnny Daniel Memorial Scholarship. Johanna is from Milk-A-Way Dairy and K&H Dairy, both Holstein operations. She attends the University of Florida where she studies Animal Science: Food Animal Production. After graduating, Johanna hopes to continue in the dairy industry, and she particularly enjoys working with calves. She would like to pursue a career at a dairy heifer calf raising operation or as a calf consultant.
Miranda Nickerson of Corry, PA is the daughter of Bart and Julie Nickerson. She is from Reliance Dairy, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Miranda attends Cornell University where she studies animal science. After graduating, Miranda would like to pursue a career in dairy consulting with a focus on nutrition. In the long term, she would like to return to on-farm management and eventually take over a dairy operation of her own. She also aspires to create opportunities for education and outreach that help connect consumers and students to modern dairy farming.
Emma Copenhaver of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Brent and Stacey Copenhaver. She is from Talview Dairy, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Emma is a senior at Annville Cleona High School and plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study Agricultural Education and Extension. After graduating, Emma hopes to pursue a career as an agriculture teacher. By educating students about agriculture, she wants to help strengthen the future of the industry and ensure it continues to grow with knowledgeable and dedicated individuals.
Sarah Craun of Mount Crawford, VA is the daughter of Kevin and Patti Craun. She is from Van Ike Farm (Angus) and Ron Rou Holsteins. Sarah attends Blinn College where she studies animal science. After graduating, Sarah plans to work in the livestock industry. She is exploring options such as livestock pharmaceuticals or cattle purchasing for processing companies. Regardless of where her career takes her, she looks forward to contributing to the future of the agriculture industry.
Dustin Denton of Blue Rapids, KS is the son of John Denton and Angie Stump Denton. He is from Springhill Herefords. Dustin attends Kansas State University where he studies Animal Science and Industry. After graduating, Dustin would like to continue his education and become a large animal veterinarian. He also wishes to continue building his registered Hereford herd.
Chelsea Empet of Kingsley, PA is the daughter of Richard and Dana Empet. She is from Empet Farm, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Chelsea attends Penn State University where she studies Animal Science. After graduating, Chelsea hopes to pursue a career in agricultural business to help farmers make informed financial decisions that enable them to be successful with their business. She wishes to carry on her family’s tradition and do her part to help other families do the same.
Katelyn Heckman of Kutztown, PA is the daughter of Tracie and Christopher Heckman. She is from TBM Farm, a Holstein operation. Katelyn attends Penn State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Katelyn plans to attend veterinary school. She hopes to pursue a career in veterinary medicine and incorporate her interest in genetics and reproduction, including IVF and research. She also plans to continue her involvement on her family farm.
Hadley Houk of Oskaloosa, KS is the daughter of Jesse and Shelby Houk. She is from CAJ Dairy Farms LLC, a Holstein operation. Hadley is a senior at Oskaloosa High School and will be attending Northeast Iowa Community College to study Dairy Science and Ag Business. After graduating, Hadley plans to return to her family’s farm and join the partnership. She looks forward to continuing and growing her passion for the industry and using what she learns at college on the farm.
Willis Rienhardt of Exeter, ME is the son of Brian and Liza Reinherdt. He is from Stonyvale Farm, a Holstein operation. He attends South Dakota State University and studies Precision Agriculture. After graduating, Willis plans to return home to his family’s sixth generation farm. He is committed to applying modern technology and data-driven practices to strengthen the operation for the coming years.
Logan Simon of Conway, AR is the son of Matt and Stephanie Simon. He is from Simon Brothers Dairy, a Holstein, Jersey, and Angus operation. Logan attends the University of Arkansas and studies Agricultural Systems Technology. After graduating, Logan plans to return home to his family’s dairy farm and pursue a career and life in production agriculture. He looks forward to using his education to help ensure the stability of the operation and hopes to eventually take over the farm.
Lee Taylor of Booneville, MS is the son of Bradley and Carla Taylor. He is from Taylor Jersey Farm Inc., a Jersey operation. Lee attends Mississippi State University and studies Agribusiness. After graduating, Lee plans to return to his family’s operation. He is currently involved in helping establish a facility to process dairy products from the farm. In addition to his focus on the processing side of the industry, Lee hopes to continue helping with the farm’s production efforts as well.
Karis Burns of Hornell, NY is the daughter of Jonathan Burns. She is from the Burns Family Farm, a Holstein operation. Karis is a senior at Hornell Senior High School and plans to attend Cornell University to study Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, Karis hopes to start a small and large animal emergency clinic. She would also like to continue working on her family’s dairy farm.
Doak Guttery of Alton, KS is the son of Brice and Shana Guttery. He is from Swinging G Farm and Ranch, an Angus operation. Doak attends Kansas State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Doak plans to pursue a master’s degree in Ruminant Nutrition before entering the livestock nutrition field. He hopes to work as either a feedlot nutritionist or a nutritional consultant, ideally serving feedlots and cattle operations across Kansas.
Lily Hess of Millerton, PA is the daughter of David Luke and Julie Hess. She is from Hess Dairy Farm, a Jersey, Holstein, and Angus operation. Lily attends Alfred State College and studies Agribusiness. After graduating, Lily hopes to obtain her A.I. breeder’s certification to breed dairy cattle. She then wishes to take on the position of dairy herd manager on a large dairy.
Landon Jenkins of Columbia Cross Roads, PA is the son of James and Tracey Jenkins. He is from Leona-View Holsteins, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Landon is a senior at Troy Jr/Sr High School and plans to attend Penn State University to study Agribusiness Management. After graduating, Landon hopes to return to his family’s farm and work directly with dairy herd management and farm business leadership. He looks forward to taking on a larger leadership role in improving herd performance through strategic breeding decisions, reproductive efficiency, and the use of proven dairy genetics.
Caroline Kimball of Ridgely, MD is the daughter of Julie and Matt Kimball. She is from Kimball-Way and Oakland View Farms, Holstein and Jersey operations. Caroline is a senior at Queen Anne’s County High School and plans to study Animal Science in college. After graduating, Caroline wishes to attend veterinary school to become a large animal veterinarian. She hopes to return to her community to support the agriculture industry, helping local farmers maintain sustainable operations, protect the food supply, and improve animal welfare.
Haylee Mullen of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Nathan and Nicole Mullen. She is from Schuylkill Mt. Dairy Farm, a Holstein and Jersey operation. Haylee attends Delaware Valley University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Haylee wishes to use her experiences from school and internships to better the agriculture community. Although she is not yet sure which career path she’ll choose, she is interested in possibly becoming a large animal vet or a feed nutritionist.
Joleigh Nailor of Mechanicsburg, PA is the daughter of Jason and Sherisa Nailor. She is from JnS Dairy, a Holstein and Milking Shorthorn operation. Joleigh attends Penn State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Joleigh hopes to pursue a career in cattle genetics. She would like to work for an A.I. company selling semen, spreading awareness and knowledge of genetics, and breeding cattle.
Skylar Peiffer of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Ammon and Brenda Peiffer. She is from Boxed-In Acres Holsteins. Skylar attends Penn State University and studies Agricultural Engineering. After graduating, Skylar would like to pursue a career involving machinery and precision agriculture. Her goal is to become a test engineer or contribute to the design and development of agricultural equipment, ideally within the dairy sector.
Ainsley Sellers of Lebanon, PA is the daughter of Kraig and Meranda Sellers. She is from Gem-Rock Holsteins. Ainsley attends Penn State University and studies Animal Science. After graduating, Ainsley plans to pursue a career within the agricultural industry, specifically focused on genetics and reproduction. She wants to help other farmers make decisions that align with their reproductive goals, while working hands-on with breeding programs, genetic selection, and reproductive management.
Phoebe Stutzman of Kutztown, PA is the daughter of Jon and Holly Stutzman. She is from Stutzman farms, an Ayrshire and Maine Anjou operation. Phoebe is a senior at Kutztown Area High School and would like to study Animal Science in college. After graduating, Phoebe wants to remain involved in the animal agriculture industry. While she is still considering different career paths, she is looking forward to the experiences college will afford her, especially livestock judging.
Lily Truax of McConnellsburg, PA is the daughter of Donald Truax. She is from McLucas Farms LLC, an Angus operation. Lily attends Penn State University and studies Agribusiness Management. After graduating, Lily plans to return to her family’s farming operation. She wants to continue building on the foundation her family has created over the last three generations, expanding and modernizing the farm. She would like to explore new opportunities such as direct-to-consumer sales and mobile markets that are located directly on the farm.
Natalie Yoder of Belleville, PA is the daughter of Michael and Maria Yoder. She is from Dryhouse Farm, a Holstein operation. Natalie attends Penn State University and studies Agribusiness Management. After graduating, Natalie plans to start her career in a marketing related role supporting the dairy industry. She wants to work for a dairy company or a food product business, supporting dairy farmers and helping build the connection between farmers and consumers.
The Premier Future Ag Leaders Scholarship Program provides financial support to eligible students pursuing agricultural education, and it also provides additional return to the cooperative’s member-owners by supporting the next generation of young people desiring to study and work in the agriculture industry. The Premier Select Sires board of directors has made a commitment to providing money to support this scholarship program on an ongoing annual basis.