Growing Tomorrow’s Dairy Leaders: How Central Plains Dairy Foundation Invests in the Future

The Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF) scholarship program is a shining example of how the dairy industry is investing in its people—helping students who are passionate about dairy build strong careers and contribute to a thriving future.

Here’s what makes CPDF’s scholarship program stand out:

• Substantial Financial Support. CPDF awards four scholarships for a combined total of $15,000 annually to post-secondary students (two- or four-year programs) who have completed at least one semester and are pursuing a degree in agriculture with emphasis in the dairy industry.
• Focused Local Impact. Preference is given to students from the Central Plains states—Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. By doing so, the program reinforces dairy expertise in the heart of where dairy matters most.
• Support for Leadership & Communication. In addition to the main scholarships, there is the Lon & Kathy Tonneson Scholarship, a $1000 award for students who emphasize agricultural communication or leadership in their studies. This encourages not just technical skills but the ability to share, lead, and innovate in dairy communities.
• Holistic Application Process. Applicants are asked to submit letters of recommendation, transcripts, and an essay—asking why they’re pursuing dairy education and what they hope to contribute. This ensures that student awards aren’t just about grades—but also passion, vision, and commitment.
• A Tradition of Investment. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), CPDF isn’t just talking support—it’s doing it. Its awarding of substantial scholarships and its stewardship of programs like the Tonneson Scholarship show long-term commitment to developing talent in the dairy sector.

2026 Applications are now CLOSED. look for the 2027 applications to be available this fall.

Lon and Kathy Tonneson Scholarship

The Lon & Kathy Tonneson Dairy Leadership Scholarship
Established in 2019 by Tracey and Brian Erickson of Arlington, South Dakota, this scholarship honors Lon and Kathy Tonneson for their long-standing dedication to agriculture and the dairy industry. Erickson Farms pledged to fund part of this scholarship annually for 10 years.

About Lon and Kathy Tonneson
Lon Tonneson served for many years as editor of Dakota Farmer magazine, a cornerstone publication for farmers and ranchers in the Dakotas. His journalism spanned nearly four decades, during which he chronicled the evolving challenges and innovations of agriculture in the Northern Plains. Kathy Tonneson is recognized alongside Lon in the naming of the scholarship. The dedication of both Lon and Kathy to agricultural communication, dairy industry growth and community service is highlighted in the scholarship’s purpose statement. Together, the Tonnesons managed the association and Central Plains Dairy Expo for 15 years. They represent the spirit of leadership, communication, advocacy and service in the dairy and broader agricultural sectors.

Purpose & Focus of the Scholarship
The scholarship is designed to invest in future leaders of dairy and agriculture, reflecting the values embodied by Lon and Kathy Tonneson. Key elements include:
**Targeting students who have completed at least one semester of post-secondary education (two- or four-year program) and are pursuing a degree in agriculture, with an emphasis on agricultural communication and/or leadership
**Preference given to applicants from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota – the core region served by the Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF)
**Emphasizing not merely technical dairy education, but the capacity to communicate, lead, advocate and connect the dairy industry with broader audiences and future markets

As the dairy industry in the Central Plains faces rapid evolution – technological advances, changing markets, consumer expectations, environmental pressures – the need for strong communicators and dynamic leaders becomes even more critical.

Central Plains Dairy Foundation Scholarships

The Central Plains Dairy Foundation Board of Directors voted to distribute four Scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year. Intended for students interested in entering into the dairy industry. This is open to two-year or four-year students. Maybe you are studying to be a large animal vet, or you’re getting your mechanics certification to work on dairy equipment, we encourage all students studying to apply if they are or will work in the dairy industry.

Two Central Plains Dairy Foundation Scholarships for Four Year Undergraduate Students – each worth $5,000

Two Central Plains Dairy Foundation Scholarships for Two Year Students – each worth $2,500

Emery H. Bartle Memorial Scholarship in Dairy Production

The Emery H. Bartle Memorial Scholarship in Dairy Production was established to honor the memory of Emery H. Bartle, a lifelong advocate for excellence in dairy science and agricultural education. This $10,000 Scholarship is intended to encourage and support students pursuing academic and professional careers in dairy production.

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college or university in the United States pursuing a major in Dairy Production.
• Have completed at least one full year of undergraduate coursework at the time of application.
• Demonstrate academic merit, leadership, and a clear commitment to the field of dairy production.
• Exhibit qualities of integrity, responsibility, and engagement in community or agricultural activities.

Geographic Preference:
Preference will be given to students whose families reside in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, or Wisconsin.
The recipient shall be selected annually by a Scholarship Selection Committee appointed by the CPDF. Selection shall be based on:

• Academic achievement and potential
• Demonstrated interest in career in dairy production
• Leadership and community involvement

The Scholarship will not be awarded if the Selection Committee considers that no applicant is worthy of the scholarship in that year. The Scholarship is non-renewable, however prior recipients may reapply.

About Emery H. Bartle
Emery H. Bartle was a 1926 graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU), majoring in Dairy Production. After graduation, Bartle worked as a Herdsman for a number of larger dairy farms in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. In 1944 he returned to SDSU as the Herdsman for the University’s Dairy Production herd for 12 years, and as a faculty member of the Dairy Science Department teaching dairy production courses until is retirement in 1971. During this time he served as a Dairy Cattle Judge at many state and county fairs in the upper Midwest, and was also the Superintendent of the South Dakota State Fair’s Dairy Cattle show competition in Huron, South Dakota in the 1950s and 1960s.

The Emery H. Bartle Memorial Scholarship in Dairy Production was established in his honor by his family.