Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship

Since 2000, the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) has been awarding scholarships annually to outstanding youth who exhibit at the Michigan State Fair, Michigan livestock Expo and Michigan Dairy Expo. The fund is also responsible for supporting educational awards provided to youth livestock and dairy exhibitors each year. Funding comes from specific proceeds from the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-Abration.

The Fund showcases our youth, who represent the future face of Michigan’s food and agriculture industry, and the strong sense of community that can be generated.

- Ernie Birchmeier, MYLSF Chairperson

Donate today to receive the MYLSF, 501(c)3 Tax Credit. Your tax-deductible gift will help provide educational awards and scholarships for youth to continue their interest in the Michigan livestock industry. You may support the MYLSF by:

• Making a tax-deductible donation to the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund (MYLSF) at PO Box 13295, Lansing, MI 48901,
• Attending and participating in the Michigan Sale-Abration held annually in July. You may bid as an individual, group, or business!

The MYLSF introduced a new program in 2021 to honor individuals who have dedicated themselves to the livestock industry and have had more than $1,000 contributed in their name to the MYLSF. When a contribution of $1,000 or more is given to the MYLSF in someone’s name that individual is honored, and their name is engraved on a plaque for display at the Michigan State University Pavilion. 

Selection Process

1. The eligible applicant must be a graduating high school senior or a high school graduate continuing their education at an accredited institution in the year in which they are applying and a resident of Michigan. For the MYLSF Scholarship they must be a youth livestock exhibitor at the Michigan Livestock Expo, or the Michigan Dairy Expo for a minimum of three calendar years prior to the year of application. For the Statewide Scholarship they must be a youth livestock exhibitor at a Michigan local, county, or state-wide exhibition or state fair for a minimum of three years prior to the year of application.
2. Exhibitors' MLE eligibility will be taken into consideration when scholarships are awarded.  
   • IF an applicant is suspended from exhibiting due to a rule violation, any results from the year the violation occured- will NOT COUNT towards scholarship monies.
   • If ever suspended from MLE involvement, exhibitors are not eligible to participate in the top 5 interview process.  
3. All questions on the application must be answered to be considered for a scholarship and all the following must be included: two letters of reference (dated within current academic year), most recent academic transcripts (high school and/or college).
4. Selection criteria consist of completed applications which include essays, letters of reference, and transcripts. Completed applications will be judged on (1) Livestock exhibition participation (2) Extracurricular activities (volunteerism, involvement, work experience and awards), (3) Industry participation or potential and (4) Academics. (5) References (6) Overall application completeness (adherence to guidelines and spelling) Preference will be given to applicants pursuing agricultural or related fields.
5. The scholarship committee reserves the right to not issue a scholarship if no applicant fulfills the requirements listed on this page or is approved by the majority of the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Committee (MYLSFC).
6. A select number of applicants may be offered an opportunity to be interviewed, at the discretion of the MYLSFC, prior to the Sale-Abration event for larger scholarship awards up to $5,000 lifetime.
7. Applicants may apply for and receive a scholarship more than once, up to $5,000 lifetime scholarship cap. Scholarship winners will be announced at the Michigan Livestock Expo "Grand Drive" with the Interview recipients introduced  at the Michigan Livestock Expo Sale-Abration.
8. Scholarship applications and criteria will only be accepted via online submission. Completed applications must be received by 11:59 pm on May 1, 2025.
9. Upon proof of enrollment, scholarships will be paid directly to the educational institution for educational expenses i.e. tuition, room, and board.
10. Scholarship applications must be signed and not exceed space provided.