2026 Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Scholarships
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to be able to award 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
Application deadline is April1, 2026
Scholarship eligibility requirements and application forms are available for download, below, and are also be available at the Nevada Cattlemen's Association office. Applicants can call the NCA office at 775-738-9214 or send a request to [email protected] for a copy as well.
Students and Educators interested in these scholarship opportunities are encouraged to contact the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association if they would like more information.
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].
2026 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 2026 will be $1,500!
Eligibility & application requirements for the 2026 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.
2026 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship
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 2026 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.
2026 Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship
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 2026 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.
WALT LEBERSKI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
2025 Scholarship Recipients
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Research and Education Committee is pleased to announce six scholarship recipients this year. The NCA would like to congratulate Courtney Hummel of Reno, NV and Lauryn Marshall of Eureka, NV for being selected as the 2025 NCA Scholarship recipients; Braden Sorensen from Fallon, NV, and Ian Livingstone from Wells, NV, for being selected as the 2025 Marvel-Andrae Scholarship recipients; and, last but not least, Billy DeLong of Winnemucca, NV, and Kerstyn Countryman of Washoe Valley, NV, for being selected as the 2025 Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship recipients.
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.
This year marks the second year of awarding the Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is open 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 Nevada’s ranching and farming communities.
Congratulations again to Courtney, Lauryn, Ian, Braden, Billy, and Kerstyn.
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..
NCA Scholarship —
Courtney Hummel
Reno, Nevada — 2025 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Courtney Hummel recently graduated from Galena High School in Reno, NV and will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno, where she will be pursuing a degree in Agricultural Science. She was involved in 4-H during her high school career and is a distinguished member of the National Honor Society. She hopes to use her degree to study Nevada’s rangelands and native plants and develop strategies that optimize land use for cattle ranchers in the state.
Lauryn Marshall
Eureka, Nevada — 2025 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Lauryn Marshall is a recent graduate of Eureka County High School in Eureka, NV and will be attending Utah State University, where she will pursue a degree in Food Science. Lauryn grew up on her family’s farm in Eureka and was involved in the Diamond Mountain FFA throughout her high school career. She intends to learn about food production, engineering, nutrition, and safety with the goal of guiding the food industry on farm-to-table distribution.
Marvel/AndraE Scholarship —
Ian Livingstone
Wells, Nevada — 2025 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Ian Livingstone was a 2024 recipient of the NCA Scholarship and recently completed his first year at Utah State University studying Animal Science (Ruminant Nutrition). Ian will be continuing his education at Feather River College in Quincy, California. He plans to become a nutrition consultant for rangeland cattle after completing his degree, where he hopes to help Nevada ranchers with grazing management plans and increasing yield on their livestock.
Braden Sorensen
Fallon, Nevada — 2025 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Braden Sorensen recently graduated from Churchill County High School in Fallon, NV and will be headed off to BYU- Idaho this fall to pursue a degree in Agribusiness. Braden is the fifth generation on his family’s dairy in Fallon. Upon completing his degree in Agribusiness, Braden hopes to bring his skills back to the family farm and become involved in supporting Ag in the Classroom, hosting tours and workshops, and serving on different agricultural boards.
Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship —
Billy DeLong
Winnemucca, Nevada — 2025 Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Billy DeLong recently completed his first year at New Mexico State University, where he is studying Animal Science. He is the sixth generation on his family’s cattle ranch outside of Winnemucca, Nevada. Billy has an interest in beef genetics and learning how to improve efficiency and quality. He hopes to bring his learned skills back to the family ranch after earning his degree and possibly get involved as a cattle sales representative.
Kerstyn Countryman
Washoe Valley, Nevada — 2025 Walt Leberski Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Kerstyn Countryman is currently attending the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Growing up on her family ranch sparked her passion for caring for animals. Kerstyn has been immersed in research surrounding equine infectious neurological disease and in partnership with her family, has also created a non-profit, “A Cowboy’s Halo,” which will provide financial assistance to aspiring cowboys and cowgirls entering the veterinary medicine field. Kerstyn hopes to continue her education and dive deeper into rural mixed animal practices.
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.