One $10,000, two $5,000, two $2,500 and one $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in 2026.
New Prague, Minn. (October 23, 2025) – The Central Plains Dairy Foundation (CPDF) announced that it will provide one $10,000 scholarship in 2026, along with two $5,000 scholarships, two $2,500 scholarships and increase the Lon and Kathy Tonneson Scholarship from $500 to $1,000. The $10,000 scholarship, named in memory of Emery H. Bartle, is intended to encourage and support a student pursuing an undergraduate degree and professional career in dairy production. The $5,000 scholarships will go to four-year college/university students and the $2,500 scholarships will go to two-year program students. The Lon and Kathy Tonneson Scholarship honors the Tonnesons for their years of dedication to growing agriculture and the dairy industry. Tonneson Scholarships go to students pursuing a degree in agriculture with emphasis in ag communication and/or leadership.
Bartle graduated in 1926 from South Dakota State University’s (SDSU) dairy production department. After graduation, Bartle worked as a herdsman for several large dairy farms in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. In 1944, he returned to SDSU as the university’s dairy production herd manager and a dairy science department faculty member, teaching dairy production courses and coaching the dairy cattle judging team. Additionally, Bartle judged many Upper Midwest county and state fairs, and served as superintendent of the South Dakota State Fair’s dairy cattle show.
CPDF scholarships go to students who have completed at least one semester of post-secondary education and are pursuing a degree in agriculture, with an emphasis in the dairy industry. Preference will be given to applicants in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
To learn more about the new CPDF scholarships, go to: https://www.centralplainsdairy.com/about/central-plains-dairy-foundation. You may also download the application via that link. Applications are due Jan. 2, 2026.
CPDF scholarship applicants must write an essay about why they are pursuing an education in the dairy industry and why they are deserving of the scholarship. Additionally, they must provide two letters of recommendation and submit their college, university or technical school transcript.
“The Central Plains Dairy Association and Central Plains Dairy Foundation are proud to invest in students looking to make an impact on the dairy industry upon graduation,” said Kristy Mach, Central Plains Dairy Foundation executive director. “We believe that post-secondary education – be it at a two-year or four-year institution – strengthens the industry as a whole. These scholarships will help deserving students offset the costly expense of continuing education. The number of applicants increases each year and the selection process isn’t easy, but when looking at the commitment and talent of these students, it’s clear that the future of the dairy industry throughout the Central Plains is bright.”
E-mail scholarship documents to: kristy@centralplainsdairyexpo.com.
