LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) this week announced the recipients of the 2025 Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) awards.
“Scholarship funding encourages continued growth and opportunities for younger generations,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “MDARD’s mission is to improve quality of life for Michiganders and supporting the future of our industry is another tangible way we work toward that goal.”
Since 2000, the MYLSF has awarded $916,055 in scholarships and educational awards to outstanding youth who have exhibited at premier livestock events in Michigan. In 2025, the fund disbursed $62,000 of scholarships to 39 Michigan students:
Southwest Michigan
$3,500 scholarship – Aden Hathaway of Branch County
$3,000 scholarship – Drew George of Berrien County
$2,000 scholarship – Alexa Grahm of Calhoun County, Ava Hathaway of Branch County, Talan Hiemstra of Cass County and Kaden Petroshus of Van Buren County
$1,250 scholarship – Carlie Doehring of St. Joseph County
$500 scholarship – Emma Geukes of Barry County, Brianna Stockwell of Cass County
Southeast Michigan
$2,000 scholarship – Joscelyn Layman of Hillsdale County
$1,500 scholarship – Jack Thielen of Hillsdale County
$1,250 scholarship – Sydney Fowler of Hillsdale County
$1,000 scholarship – Clara Heath of Hillsdale County
$1,000 state-wide scholarship – Zoe Stanger of Monroe County
The MYLSF scholarships are funded by proceeds from the annual Michigan Livestock Expo “Sale-Abration” auction as well as charitable donations. The fund is governed by an 11-member board comprised of volunteers from Michigan’s agricultural community.
In addition to the awards above, approximately $14,000 of “Sale-Abration” proceeds were deposited into the Michigan Education Saving Plans for youth exhibitors who compete in judging and showmanship events at the Michigan Livestock Expo on the Michigan State University campus.
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