Murfreesboro, TN—Six Tennessee students were awarded the Youth Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship, sponsored by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA) and Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA). They received this award at the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Youth Awards Banquet sponsored by Kubota Tractor Corporation, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
The Heifer Initiative focuses on the cost-sharing of beef cattle for youth. First-place winners of each age division are awarded $2,000 and a 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 Hart, TCA Director of Youth Programs and Outreach. “We can 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.”
Mason Harris of Unicoi County won first place in the Youth Division and Emma Teeple of White County placed second. Levi Shults of Unicoi County received first place in the Junior High Division and Kara Brooks of Smith County placed second. Jackson Overbay of Hamblen County won first place in the Senior Division and Caden McKnight of Monroe County received second.
“Winning the Youth Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship is a big deal for me,” said Jackson Overbay, first-place senior high winner. “It will assist me in purchasing a quality heifer to keep improving my herd genetics.”
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. The application for the 2026 Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship will be available in the fall of 2025.
“I am thankful to be selected as the first-place winner in the Youth Division of the Youth Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship,” said Mason Harris, Unicoi County. “I was so surprised when I learned that I won the award, and I am very appreciative. I look forward to using this scholarship money on a show heifer to grow my herd.”
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