Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Scholarships
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association rewards two scholarships each year to students pursuing an agriculture-related education. 2020 was the first year the association was able to award two scholarships, the original Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) Scholarship and the newer Marvel/Andrae Scholarship.
When the application period opens each year, scholarship application forms will be available for download and are also available at the NCA office. Students and Educators interested in these two 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 that accompany the application forms each year.
2023 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 university and majoring in an agriculture related field. The amount of this scholarship for 2023 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 or 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 their future plans tie into the future of the cattle industry, background in the beef industry, and how this scholarship may benefit you, etc.
Completed applications are due April 3, 2023.
Download the 2023 NCA Scholarship Application:
2023 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 bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, agricultural business, or the animal/meat science fields. The 2023 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship award will be $2,000!
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 or University.
- Applicant must be from Nevada and pursuing a degree in a bachelor’s 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.
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..
2022 Scholarship Recipients Announced
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to announce this year's two scholarship recipients. Congratulations to Mackie Griggs of Elko, NV for being selected as the 2022 Marvel-Andrae Scholarship recipient and Madison Borkman of Spring Creek, NV for being selected as the 2022 NCA Scholarship recipient.
Madison Borkman
Spring Creek, Nevada
2022 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Madison recently graduated from Spring Creek High School and will be attending Ranger College later this fall in Texas to pursue an associate degree in Agriculture Business/Finance. She has been actively engaged in several organizations throughout her high school career including FFA, the Nevada State High School Rodeo Association, and 4-H. After completing her associate degree, Madison plans to transfer to a 4-year university to earn her bachelor’s degree and hopes to pursue a career in agricultural loan lending.
As part of the NCA Scholarship application process, applicants are required to write an essay on any topic within the beef industry. Read Madison's Essay here.
Mackie Griggs
Elko, Nevada
2022 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Mackie is currently attending the University of Idaho and is majoring in Animal and Veterinary Science Production and minoring in Rangeland Management and Ecology. Mackie has made the Dean’s list each all five semesters of her college career. She is a member of the Block and Bridle Club, Student Idaho Cattle Association, the Communications Chair for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Affairs Council, and the President of Operations for the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. She plans to pursue a career that relates to the beef industry and eventually follow in her father’s footsteps by someday managing the Maggie Creek Ranch where she grew up.
2021 Scholarship Recipients Announced
The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to announce this year's four scholarship recipients. Congratulations to Mattie Merritt of Round Mountain, NV and Leanna Sarman of Spring Creek, NV for being chosen as the 2021 Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship recipients; and Congratulations to Mackie Griggs of Elko, NV and Lia McQueary of Ruby Valley, NV for being chosen as the 2021 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship recipients.
As part of the NCA Scholarship application process, applicants are required to write an
essay on any topic within the beef industry. See below to read their essays.
Mattie Merritt
Round Mountain, Nevada
2021 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Mattie will be attending the College of Southern Idaho this fall to pursue a degree in Veterinary Technology. She has been actively engaged in several organizations throughout her high school career including FFA, Superintendent Advisory Board, Round Mountain High School Class of 2021 Student Council, and Nevada State High School Rodeo Association. Mattie plans to become a licensed veterinary technician and possibly pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Leanna Sarman
Spring Creek, Nevada
2021 NCA Scholarship Recipient
Leanna will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno this fall to pursue a degree in Agriculture Science. She has been actively engaged in several organizations throughout high school including FFA, 4-H, Society for Range Management, National/Nevada/Elko County Cattlewomen, and the Lamoille Junior Livestock Club. Leanna hopes to grow her cow/calf operation she started in 4-H and pursue a career in production agriculture after obtaining her college degree.
Mackie Griggs
Elko, Nevada
2021 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Mackie is currently attending the University of Idaho and is majoring in Animal and Veterinary Science Production and minoring in Rangeland Management and Ecology. Mackie has made the Dean’s list each semester of college. She is a member of the NCA, Pi Beta Phi sorority, Student Idaho Cattle Association, and treasurer of the Block and Bridle Club. This summer she will be interning at the Lightning Creek Ranch in Joseph, Oregon. She plans to pursue a career that relates to the beef industry and eventually follow in her father’s footsteps by someday managing the Maggie Creek Ranch where she grew up.
Lia McQueary
Ruby Valley, Nevada
2021 Marvel/Andrae Scholarship Recipient
Lia is currently enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She is in the University of Nevada’s Honors College and also participates in UNR Chamber Singers. Her goal is to continue advancing through STEM classes and possibly apply to a job within the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources at the Experimental Station which would allow her to work with animals, graduate researchers, greenhouses, and irrigation sciences.