PRESS RELEASE
LMA Awards $25,000 in 2026 Scholarships
May 1, 2026
Overland Park, Kansas
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Livestock Marketing Association is pleased to announce its 2026 scholarship recipients. These outstanding students were selected for their strong academic achievement, demonstrated leadership potential, and deep commitment to the livestock marketing industry.
Through its scholarship program, LMA and its member businesses continue their commitment to investing in the next generation of agriculture and livestock marketing. This year, the association awarded scholarships through two programs: the career and academic education scholarship and the auctioneer school scholarship. Recipients were selected by an independent review panel composed of allied industry representatives.
Applicants for both scholarship programs were required to be endorsed by active LMA members, underscoring the association’s member‑driven commitment to education, mentorship and workforce development across the livestock marketing industry.
“The LMA scholarship program represents an investment not only in students, but in the future strength of livestock marketing and the livestock industry,” said LMA President Mike VanMaanen. “We thank our members for identifying and supporting these outstanding young individuals.”
Career and Academic Education Scholarship Recipients
Nine students will receive a one‑time $2,500 scholarship to support post‑secondary education or career‑focused training.
The 2026 career and academic education scholarship recipients are:
- Trell Amoss, junior, Oklahoma State University - Endorsed by Knoxville Regional Livestock Auction, Knoxville, Iowa.
- Kadley Bailey, senior, Creston High School - Endorsed by Creston Livestock Market, Creston, Iowa.
- Jacob S. Hale, freshman, Oklahoma State University - Endorsed by Western Livestock Commission Co., Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Quinn Hoffer, senior, Dawson County High School - Endorsed by Glendive Livestock Exchange, Glendive, Mont.
- Luke Jennings, sophomore, The Ohio State University - Endorsed by United Producers Inc., Hillsboro, Ohio.
- Landon McKitrick, senior, Bowman County High School - Endorsed by Bowman Livestock Marketing, Bowman, N.D.
- TJ Mills, senior, Eureka Jr./Sr. High School - Endorsed by Eureka Livestock Sales, Eureka, Kan.
- Marett Schieber, sophomore, Northwest College - Endorsed by Sidney Livestock Market Center, Sidney, Mont.
- Annie Trumm, senior, Cascade Jr./Sr. High School - Endorsed by Cascade Livestock Auction, Cascade, Ill.
Auctioneer School Scholarship
LMA also awarded the 2026 Auctioneer School Scholarship, a one‑time award of up to $2,500 to support training in the auction method of livestock marketing.
This year's recipient is Dakota Williams of Mulberry, Ark. He is endorsed by Poor Boy Livestock Auction, Wister, Okla.
For more information about LMA’s scholarship program or other LMA initiatives, visit lmaweb.com or contact lmainfo@lmaweb.com.
About the Livestock Marketing Association
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through member support, education programs, policy representation and communication efforts.
