2026 Scholarship Opportunities

Nevada Cattlemen's Association | February 1, 2026

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Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Awarding Three Scholarship Opportunities

[Elko] – The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) is eager to announce three scholarship opportunities this year. The NCA Scholarship will be awarded to a first-year college student beginning to pursue an education within the agricultural industry. This scholarship is open to all Nevada High School graduating seniors planning to attend a community college or four-year college/university and majoring in an agriculture- related field. The amount of this scholarship for 2026 will be $1,500!

Eligibility & application requirements for the NCA Scholarship include: 

  • Applicant must be a senior graduating from a Nevada High School. 
  • Applicant must plan to attend a Community College or a 4-year College/University.  
  • Applicant must be seeking a degree in an agricultural related field.  
  • Applicant must have at least a 2.5 GPA. A copy of the student’s official transcripts is required.  Applicant must submit a cover letter describing themselves and how your future plans tie into the future of the cattle industry, background in the beef industry, and how this scholarship may benefit them.

NCA is also pleased to announce the Marvel/Andrae Scholarship, which is available to graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in college. To be eligible, students must be pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, agricultural business, or the animal/meat science fields. The 2026 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship award will be $2,500! The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association would like to thank Agri Beef for their continued support of the Marvel/Andrae Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes the legacies of Tom & Rosita Marvel and Jim & Sharon Andrae, and the many contributions these two Nevada ranching families have made to our industry.

Eligibility & application requirements for the Marvel/Andrae Scholarship include: 

  • Applicant must plan to attend or be currently attending a Community College or a 4-year College/University.
  • Applicant must be from Nevada and pursuing a degree in agricultural economics, agricultural business, or the animal/meat science fields.
  • Applicant must have at least a 2.8 GPA. A copy of the student’s official transcripts is required.
  • Students that were previous recipients of the NCA Scholarship and meet the eligibility requirements of the Marvel-Andrae Scholarship are eligible to apply.
  • Applicant must submit a cover letter describing themselves, background, goals, future plans, and how this scholarship may benefit them.

In its third year, the NCA will also be offering the Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship. The Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled college/trade school student. Applicants must be pursuing a degree/certificate in an agriculture related field at a community college, 4-year university, or trade school. The amount of this scholarship for 2026 will be $5,000!

Eligibility & application requirements for the Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship include:

  • Applicants must be born in Nevada and have or will be graduating from a Nevada High School.
  • Applicant must plan to attend or be currently attending a Community College, University, or Trade School.
  • Applicant must be pursuing a degree or certificate in agricultural related field.
  • Applicant must have at least a 2.8 GPA. A copy of the student’s transcripts is required. Students that were previous recipients of the NCA Scholarship or Marvel-Andrae Scholarship will be eligible to apply for the Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship. 
  • Applicant must submit a cover letter describing themselves, background, goals, future plans, and how this scholarship may benefit them.

Scholarship application forms can be downloaded from the Nevada Cattlemen’s website at www.nevadacattlemen.org. Applicants can call the NCA office at 775-738-9214 or send a request to [email protected] for a copy as well. Completed applications need to be postmarked by April 1st, 2026, and can be mailed to: Attn: Research & Education Committee, c/o Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, P.O. Box 310, Elko, NV 89803; or submitted by email to [email protected].