CME Group Scholarships Support Future Beef Leaders

Ten Students Recognized for Leadership and Commitment to Beef Industry

• Bonnie Johnson
• February 09, 2026
• Media Article

Ten students receive CME Group Beef Industry Scholarships at CattleCon 2026, supporting education, leadership growth, and future careers across the beef industry and food production system.

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Ten students pursuing careers connected to the beef industry received $1,500 scholarships through the CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program. The awards were presented by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and were recognized during CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
 

The scholarship program highlighted students who showed leadership, dedication, and a strong interest in the future of the beef industry. It supported students preparing for careers in education, communication, production, research, and other fields that helped strengthen food production and agriculture.
 

The 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship recipients are:
 

• Grant Boyd of Leon, Iowa, Iowa State University
   
• Shay Burian of Manning, North Dakota, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
   
• Natalie Dietrich of Lubbock, Texas, Texas Tech University
   
• John Garcia of Baker City, Oregon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
   
• Olivia Hadrick of Faulkton, South Dakota, South Dakota State University
   
• William Kemp of Bishop, California, school to be determined
   
• Luke McCrea of Maysville, Missouri, Iowa State University
   
• Gavin Rhode of Stewartsville, Missouri, University of Missouri-Columbia
   
• Nathan Rippe of Indianola, Nebraska, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
   
• Emma Whitlock of Milan, Missouri, Kansas State University
   

“It is exciting to see so many students pursuing careers in the beef industry,” said NCF Chair Dave True. “We are grateful to our partners at CME Group for making this scholarship program possible.”
 

The CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship program is introduced in 1989 and continues to encourage young leaders who play an important role in agriculture and food systems. The program supports learning and career growth for students who will help guide the beef industry into the future.
 

The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1972. It focuses on charitable, scientific, and educational efforts that benefit the cattle industry and support long term agricultural success.
 

Photo by: www.ncba.org