Gabe Crutcher of Montrose was among 10 National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members who received Faces of Leadership scholarships during the 2026 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony July 9 in Madison, Wisconsin.
The National Hereford Women (NHW) awarded $500 scholarships to 10 young people attending the 2026 Faces of Leadership Conference. The NHW works diligently to support Hereford juniors and ensure their future success. Through leadership development programs, like the Faces of Leadership conference, NHW encourages young people to develop their leadership skills and make connections. These scholarships assist with travel and registration costs. Recipients submitted an application detailing the impact of leadership conferences and how they would use the skills they would gain from the opportunity in the future.
During the 2026 JNHE, HYFA awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships and awards to exemplary Hereford youth and will allocate more than $220,000 throughout the year to support junior members in their academic pursuits.
“Seeing the growth, strength and perseverance of this next generation reaffirms the bright future that we have as an organization and as an industry,” said NHW board member Lindsey Jacobs.
The 2026 Faces of Leadership conference will take place in Boise, Idaho, July 29-Aug. 1. The conference builds communication skills, teamwork and personal leadership through hands-on learning and industry connection. Highlights include leadership workshops led by the NJHA board of directors; guest speakers, such as Jessie Jarvis from Of the West; tours of the J.R. Simplot headquarters and whitewater rafting.