Michigan awards $62,000 in youth livestock scholarships statewide

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Dave DeMille
| Reporter assisted by AI

Michigan’s top young livestock exhibitors earned a combined $62,000 in scholarships through the 2025 Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund, according to a community announcement. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development selected 39 students from across the state for awards ranging from $250 to $4,500.
Since the program launched in 2000, the fund has distributed more than $916,000 to youth who show animals at Michigan’s premier livestock events, according to the announcement.
“Scholarship funding encourages continued growth and opportunities for younger generations,” MDARD Director Tim Boring said. “Supporting the future of our industry is another tangible way we work toward that goal.”
Recipients represent every region of Michigan, including Mid-Michigan, the Thumb, Southwest and West Michigan, Southeast Michigan and Northern Michigan. Award levels varied by region, with top scholarships of $4,500 going to students in Ingham County.
The fund is supported by proceeds from the annual Michigan Livestock Expo “Sale-Abration” auction and charitable contributions. A volunteer board of 11 agricultural leaders oversees the program.
In addition to the scholarships, about $14,000 from the “Sale-Abration” event was deposited into Michigan Education Savings Plans for youth who competed in judging and showmanship events at the Michigan Livestock Expo.
More information about the scholarship program is available on the MYLSF webpage at michigan.gov/mdard/animals/exhibitions/mylsf.
Winners include:
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 
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 & 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 
Thumb Region  
$1,500 scholarship –Madyson Garza of Sanilac County, Emma Noll of Sanilac County 
This story was co-authored by Dave DeMille, [email protected], with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

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