Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Scholarships
In 2025, the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is rewarding three scholarships to students pursuing an agriculture-related education. These scholarships are the:
- Original Nevada Cattlemen's Association Scholarship
- Marvel/Andrae Scholarship – which was first offered in 2020
- Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship — first offered in 2024
Scholarship application forms can be downloaded below.
Applicants can also call the NCA office at 775-738-9214 or send a request to [email protected] for a copy. Completed applications must be postmarked by April 2nd, 2025, 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].
Students and Educators interested in these great scholarship opportunities are encouraged to contact the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association if they would like more information.
General eligibility and application requirements for each scholarship are below. The requirements are subject to change or modification. Please review the requirements and information included on the application form.
2025 NCA Scholarship
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 2025 will be $1,500!.
Eligibility & application requirements for the 2025 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 you, etc.
2025 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship
The NCA is also pleased to be able to continue to offer 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 2025 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 2025 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, etc…
2025 Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship
In its second year, the NCA will also be offering the Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship.
The Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to graduating high school seniors planning to attend a community college or four-year university or students currently enrolled in college. The amount of this scholarship for 2025 will be $5,000!!
Eligibility & application requirements for the 2025 Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship include:
- Applicant must be born in Nevada and has 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, etc…
WALT LEBERSKI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
2024 Scholarship Recipients
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Research and Education Committee is pleased to announce this year's five scholarship recipients. The NCA would like to congratulate Billy DeLong of Winnemucca, Nevada and Ian Livingstone of Ruby Valley, Nevada for being selected as the 2024 NCA Scholarship recipients. Cooper Hill from Winnemucca, Nevada and John Reed from Carlin, Nevada for being selected as the 2024 Marvel-Andrae Scholarship recipients. And last but not least, Amelia Lancaster of Austin, Nevada for being selected as the 2024 Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship recipient.
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association annually awards the NCA scholarship to a first-year college student beginning to pursue an education within the agricultural industry. This award is open to all Nevada high school graduating seniors planning to attend a junior or four-year university and majoring in an agricultural related field.
The Marvel/Andrae Scholarship is targeted toward students either going into their first year of college or already enrolled in college and working towards a degree in agriculture economics, agriculture business, or the animal/meat science fields. We would also like to recognize Agri Beef for their continued support of the Marvel-Andrae Scholarship program. The NCA greatly appreciates our partnership with Agri Beef and thanks them for their continued support of students pursuing careers in agriculture.
2024 was also the first year of the Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is made eligible to graduating high school seniors, or students already enrolled in college or a trade school. Again, this scholarship is intended for students who are obtaining a degree to hone their skills for the betterment of agriculture.
All three scholarships are awarded to exceptional students who work hard, excel academically, and work to represent agriculture in a positive way. We thank all the students that applied for these scholarships and are confident that they will all be strong future advocates for our ranching and farming communities.
Congratulations to Billy, Ian, Cooper, John, and Amelia. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors! We’re very proud of them and are confident that they will continue to serve the industry well. We look forward to all that they will accomplish.
Billy DeLong
Winnemucca, Nevada — 2024 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Billy DeLong recently graduated from Lowry High School in Winnemucca, Nevada and will be attending New Mexico State University where he will be pursuing a degree in Animal Science. Billy is actively involved in his family’s cattle ranch as well as the Nevada High School Rodeo Association and Winnemucca FFA. He hopes to continue his rodeo success in college while learning beef genetics and how to improve cattle efficiency and quality. Billy plans to continue working in the cattle industry upon graduation.
Ian Livingstone
Ruby Valley, Nevada — 2024 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Ian Livingstone recently graduated from Wells High School and will be attending Utah State University later this fall to pursue a degree in Animal Science and Ag Business. Ian has been actively engaged in several organizations throughout his high school career including FFA and Nevada High School Rodeo Association. While earning his degree, Ian also plans to rodeo for the Utah State Collegiate Rodeo Team. After earning his degree, he hopes to implement new and innovative methods back on the family ranch in Ruby Valley, Nevada.
Copper Hill
Winnemucca, Nevada — 2024 Marvel-Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Cooper Hill also recently graduated from Lowry High School in Winnemucca, Nevada and will be attending the University of Idaho in Moscow later this fall. Cooper plans on majoring in Animal Veterinary Science with an Ag Commodity Minor. He has been an active member of 4-H, FFA, the Nevada High School Rodeo Association, and Skills USA. Cooper looks forward to using his degree in a variety of agricultural practices.
John Reed
Carlin, Nevada — 2024 Marvel-Andrae Scholarship Recipient
John Reed recently graduated from Carlin High School in Carlin, Nevada and is headed to Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. John plans on obtaining a bachelor’s degree in animal science (pre-vet). John was actively involved in varsity football, Skills USA, the Weld-Fab Team, 4-H, and the Pine Valley Volunteer Fire Department throughout his high school career. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he plans on going to veterinary school in Washington and returning to Nevada to practice veterinary medicine.
Amelia Lancaster
Austin, Nevada — 2024 Walter Leberski Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Amelia Lancaster recently graduated from Ignite Christian Academy and hails from Austin, Nevada where her family operates a cattle ranch. She is the current Nevada High School Rodeo Association President and will be attending Montana State University where she plans on majoring in history and/or political science. Amelia hopes to attend law school after completing her bachelor’s degree and plans to focus on environmental and natural resource law with an emphasis in water rights and water quality.
2023 Scholarship Recipients Announced
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Research and Education Committee is pleased to announce four scholarship recipients for 2023. The NCA would like to congratulate Jackson Dahl of Ruby Valley, NV and Madison Wachtel of Wells, NV for being selected as the 2023 NCA Scholarship recipients. We would also like to congratulate Anthony Barnes from Jiggs, NV and Kerstyn Countryman from Washoe Valley, NV for being selected as the 2023 Marvel- Andrae Scholarship recipients.
Madison Wachtel
Wells, Nevada
2023 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Madison Wachtel recently graduated from Wells High School and will be attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston later this fall to pursue a degree in Agriculture Education. Madison has been actively engaged in several organizations throughout her high school career including FFA, 4-H, and the American Quarter Horse Youth Association. While earning her degree, Madison plans to ride for the school’s Division 2 National Collegiate Equestrian Association’s western team. After earning her degree, she hopes to become a teacher and FFA Advisor.
Jackson Dahl
Ruby Valley, Nevada
2023 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Jackson Dahl recently graduated from the Northeastern Nevada Virtual Academy and will be attending Brigham Young University, Idaho where he will be pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business. Jackson is actively involved in his family’s cattle ranch as well as the Ruby Valley 4-H Club and Wells FFA. He hopes to return to his family’s ranch upon completion of his Agricultural Business degree with an understanding of sound business practices that will guide his family’s operation for generations to come.
Anthony Barnes
Jiggs, Nevada
2023 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Anthony Barnes is currently attending Colorado State University where he is majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Business. During his college career, Anthony has been a part of the CSU Livestock Judging Team and an active member of the Alpha Gama Rho Fraternity where he serves as the chapter’s scholarship chair. Anthony looks forward to returning to his family’s ranch after graduating utilizing the tools, knowledge, and networking gained during his college career to increase awareness among producers, consumers, and political leaders about the issues the agriculture industry is facing.
Kerstyn Countryman
Washoe Valley, Nevada
2023 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Kerstyn Countryman is currently attending the University of Nevada, Reno where she majors in Veterinary Science. Growing up on her family ranch sparked her passion for caring for animals. Kerstyn will be beginning the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program later this fall at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon completion of her DVM, she plans to complete a few internships and a residency to become board certified in neurology and hopes to complete her Ph.D. so she can teach while completing research. Kerstyn ultimately plans to conduct neurological research on cattle to improve cattle management practices as well as clinical neurology on equine and small animals..