Apply Now for WCMA Student Scholarships Totaling $29,000

MADISON, WI – Apply now at WisCheeseMakers.org/Scholarships to be considered for Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association’s (WCMA) seven student scholarships, worth a total of $29,000. Applications must be received by February 20, 2026.

“WCMA members recognize that the value of the next generation’s ideas and understand they are vital to the future of the dairy industry,” said WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “We’re thrilled to help exceptional students turn their passion into purpose and grow their careers in the dairy industry.”

Two WCMA scholarships target students attending a college, university, or technical school in the United States, or high school seniors registered to attend a qualifying school next fall. Preference for these scholarship awards will be given to candidates pursuing degrees and careers connected to the dairy industry:

Two students will be awarded the WCMA Myron P. “Mike” Dean Cheese Industry Student Scholarship, worth $5,000 each. Any employee or child of an employee at a WCMA dairy manufacturing, processing, or marketing member company may apply. In 2025, this scholarship was awarded to Derrick Koehn of Foremost Farms USA and Cara McWilliams of

Glanbia Nutritionals and Southwest Cheese.

Employees or children of employees at WCMA supplier member companies may apply for the WCMA Cheese Industry Supplier Student Scholarship. Three students will receive scholarship awards of $5,000 each. In 2025, this scholarship was awarded to Macy Cook of Caloris Engineering, Natalie Curtis of Hydrite Chemical, and Riese Thornberry of BIOIONIX.

WCMA will also select two students to receive the Brian Eggebrecht Student Scholarship Supporting Skilled Trades in the Dairy Industry, worth $2,000 each. This award, named in honor of long-time Championship Cheese Contest Chairman and generous donor Brian Eggebrecht, who passed away in 2022, is open to students attending any technical school in Wisconsin, or high school students registered to attend a Wisconsin technical school. Priority consideration for the Eggebrecht Scholarship will be given to applicants pursuing technical certificates, technical diplomas, or associate degrees that may lead to a career in the dairy industry. Unlike other WCMA scholarships, applicants for this award are not required to be connected to a WCMA member company or cooperative. In 2025, this scholarship was awarded to Wesley Nelson and Neil Venhuizen.

Applicants for all WCMA scholarships must supply school transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a completed application form. Forms are available online at WisCheeseMakers.org/Scholarships or by request from WCMA Programs & Policy Manager Amelia Neas at (608) 419-7913 or aneas@wischeesemakers.org.

Successful applicants will be announced in March 2026, with awards presented on April 15 at CheeseExpo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.