Wisconsin Offers $29K in Dairy Industry Scholarships

Students dreaming of careers in Wisconsin's iconic cheese industry now have $29,000 in scholarship funding waiting to help make those dreams real.

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association is offering three different scholarship programs for students at all levels, from high school seniors to current college students. The funding supports everyone from future cheesemakers to skilled tradespeople who keep dairy facilities running.

Two students will receive $5,000 each through the Myron P. "Mike" Dean Cheese Industry Student Scholarship. This award goes to employees or their children working at WCMA member dairy companies. Students must be attending or planning to attend college, university, or technical school in the United States, with preference given to those pursuing dairy-related degrees.

Three more students can win $5,000 each through the Cheese Industry Supplier Student Scholarship. This one's designed for families connected to WCMA supplier member businesses, with the same educational requirements and dairy industry focus.

The Brian Eggebrecht Scholarship honors a beloved Championship Cheese Contest chairman who passed away in 2022. Two students will receive $2,000 each to pursue skilled trades education at Wisconsin technical schools. This scholarship stands out because it's open to any Wisconsin technical school student, not just those connected to WCMA members.

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships do more than fund education. They're investing in the future of Wisconsin's $45.6 billion dairy industry, ensuring the next generation has both the passion and skills to keep America's Dairyland thriving. By supporting skilled trades alongside traditional degrees, WCMA recognizes that great cheese requires talented people at every level.

Students need to submit transcripts, a recommendation letter, and a completed application by February 20. Winners will be announced in March and celebrated at CheeseExpo in Milwaukee on April 15, where they'll join thousands of dairy professionals shaping the industry's future.

The scholarships show how Wisconsin's tight-knit dairy community takes care of its own, turning today's students into tomorrow's innovators.