THANK YOU TO JUNIOR SUPPORTERS - FUNDRAISERS

Junior QUILT RAFFLE
THANKS to everyone who Supported
Raised $910!!


High Seller
Brantley Keltner worked hard and sold the most tickets!
Congratulations, Brantley.


Juniors selling Tickets
Cobie Kleiboeker, Harper VanZyverden, and Adeline Keltner


Special thanks to Raygan Dougherty for making a beautiful cow quilt that the juniors raffled off at the State Convention. High priase to Brantley and Adeline Keltner for selling the MOST tickets.

The quilt was awarded at the state convention on Friday evening. The big winner was John Schoen, Oak Ridge, MO. Juniors raised $910 total! Thank you to everyone who supported our dairy youth!

And the Winner is...
John Schoen winning the quilt with all of the juniors.


Jr. All-Missouri Awards

Juniors received their awards Friday evening of the convention. Due to the weather all of the meetings and events for Saturday were canceled. Including the Junior meeting. All officers will remain the same for 2026 and decisions will be made via the officers, junior committee and advisors.

Junior All-MO Awards
Juniors present receiving their awards.


MISSOURI PRINCESS & MISS AWARD

Princess
2026 Princess - Sophie Geppert receives crown
at Dairy Hall Awards


Miss
2026 Miss - Harper VanZyverden
accepts award from Hope McClellan



SPRING CLASSIC SCHOLARSHIP WINNER


Emma Parrigon, Stotts City
Was the winning entrant in the annual Spring Classic Scholarship award.
This scholarship is given annually to an individual who exhibits excellence,
participation and enthusiasm in the dairy industry and the Missouri Holstein Assoc.



JUNIOR CORNHOLE FUN!!

Instead of the juniors having their own separate event this year as in years past they joined the group and participated in the cornhole tournament. The youth had their own division with great prizes sponsored by Doug & Judy Thomas and Don Ely. We had seven youth teams competing in the tournament.

The juniors also had some silent auction items during the evening, and we thank everyone who donated and bid on items.


Youth Division Winners
Top 3 youth teams: L to R: 1st: Dallison & Brady Hostetler, 2nd Harper VanZyverden & Faith Ling; 3rd Raygan & Kaylea Dougherty (not present for photo). Each winner received a candy bouquet sponsored by Summit Genetics, Ron Ely and either a Race Brothers gift card or Midwest Dairy merch from Judy Thomas!
THANK YOU SPONSORS!


 

ANNOUNCING!!
Missouri 4-H Dairy Cow Camp Dates

Dairy Cow Camp Prepares Future Dairy Leaders

May 20-22, 2026
Lawrence County Fairgrounds, Freistatt, MO
Enter Early: MAX 35 CAMPERS!

Entry Deadline:May 1, 2026
First come First Serve

We are looking forward to Cow Camp in 2026.

We will continue to hold camp at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds in Freistatt, MO.

We will also be continuing the new activities started last year:
1. The Missouri Heifer Sale: Our All-Breeds Tag Sale.
This tag sale will be held in conjunction with cow camp. Both youth and adults will be able to buy heifers and calves that are present at the cow camp. A tag price (starting price) will be placed on each animal and then those interested parties can bid against each other on the animals they are interested in. The sale will conclude on Friday, May 22. Purchased animals will automatically be entered in the show discussed below.

2. All-Breeds Youth show held on Saturday, May 23.
This event is separate from Cow Camp, but campers are able to show purchased animals or bring their own. All breeds show together in class.

Details are being finalized on the entire event. Check back often for updates and entry information.

For financial assistance contact your county 4-H agent.
Entry deadline is May 1, 2026 applications available below.

Cow Camp Information Brochure


Health Form


Show Me Quality Assurance


The University of Missouri Food Safety curriculum, (Show Me Quality Assurance) will BE required in 2018 for 4-H members showing livestock at the Missouri State Fair.

Those attending Missouri 4-H Dairy Cow Camp will be certified in Show-Me Quality Assurance.

Cow Camp TURNS 30!!!


Folks, this will be the 30th year for Missouri Dairy Cow Camp! We would like to capture the impact of this program. If you have ever participated in this program, would you please help us by completing this online Qualtrics survey below? We appreciate you sharing the link to those who may have attended as well!

DAIRY COW CAMP SURVEY








MO ALL-BREEDS YOUTH HEIFER SHOW
May 23, 2026, Freistatt, MO;

SIXTH YEAR: The Missouri Cow Camp committee is again hosting an All-Breeds Youth Heifer Show on Saturday, May 23 at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds in Freistatt, MO.

*In-state and out-of-state residents exhibitors welcome
*Heifer show only
*Entry Deadline May 22
*Jackpot show with prize money
*All breeds will show together in class
*Any heifer purchased in the heifer sale on Friday, May 22
          will automatically be entered in show

See schedule below, complete list of rules and entry forms. For more information contact Karla Deaver, 417-466-3102 deaverk@missouri.edu.





  



  

MID-WEST DAIRY SCHOLARSHIPS
Due: March 15, 2026


Don't miss this opportunity!

Midwest Dairy offers four $750 scholarships to students who are from dairy farms or currently employed on a dairy farm. Applicants must be considered or accepted as a full-time student at an accredited college. Former recipients of the scholarship may re-apply providing they remain eligible. Online applications must be completed by March 15, 2026 and can be found at www.midwestdairy.com/young-dairy-leaders/dairy-scholarships/ozarks-scholarships/.

Please contact Stacy Dohle with any eligibility or application questions at sdohle@midwestdairy.com






Missouri Junior Holstein Memorial Calf Essay
Due: April 1, 2026


Click on image for entry form!

Thanks to the generous donations from the Dick Little Memorial, the Missouri Junior Holstein Association would like to offer our Missouri youth a unique opportunity. We will be offering the “Dick Little Grant” which is to be used towards the purchase of a dairy heifer in the Missouri State Heifer Sale. The grant will be in the amount of $1000. Youth will be selected by a panel of judges based on their application and the essay they provide.

Click here for Entry Guidelines and Application Here.

Please contact Bailey Keltner with any eligibility or application questions at bskeltner@gmail.com






Scholarships to Support Agriculture’s Future
A Comprehensive list by Hoard's Dairyman


Are you college bound next fall? Planning to attend graduate school to continue your education? Applying for scholarships to assist in funding your efforts can be well worth the time put into filling out the applications.

1. Where to find dairy scholarships?
The Hoard’s Dairyman list of scholarships is where I looked when I was a senior in high school. Also, check out your school or college’s department for scholarships the school gives out or knows of. The National Dairy Shrine awards scholarships for different career interests and for students entering college, in their undergraduate education, or in graduate school as well.

2. Pay attention to eligibility.
Most scholarships have specific guidelines on who can apply for them. This may include year in school, major, career interests, or an affiliation with a club or organization. Contact the scholarship coordinator if you are unsure if you are eligible.

3. Apply multiple times.
If you are not awarded a scholarship after applying, it won’t hurt to submit your application again next year! A few scholarships are renewable, so you might have to resubmit your transcripts or letter of recommendations to get the scholarship again.
By: Elise Regusci

Scholarships are a great way to pay for college. In the table below is a listing of scholarships available to youth majoring agriculture or with a dairy background.

To view a list of college scholarships click this link www.hoards.com/flex-312-College-Scholarships.html.



  

Holstein Foundation Launched Career Resources

The Holstein Foundation launched career resources designed to provide basic knowledge in a wide range of careers relating to the dairy industry. They are ideal for use by all ages, from junior dairy project members or leaders seeking reference materials.

The mission of the career resources is to help youth find a dairy-related career path that suits them best.

“We set out to help youth understand the wide variety of career opportunities in the dairy industry,” says Holstein Foundation Programs Manager Jodi Hoynoski. “We plan to expand these resources in the future to help them get the job they want too.”

Currently, 10 careers are outlined to fit a wide variety of interests. The Holstein Foundation will continue to expand the careers profiles offered and provide more resources on things like resumes and interviews.

All career descriptions can be downloaded free of charge from the website in a PDF format. With questions, contact Kelli Dunklee at 800.952.5200, ext. 4124, or kdunklee@holstein.com. Visit http://www.holsteinfoundation.org/education/career_resources.html to download online for free.


 

2026

March 15 Midwest Dairy Scholarship Application Due

March 15 Dairy Shrine Scholarships Deadline
https://dairyshrine.org/awards/

March 20 Southern National Entries Due
Southern National Website & Entry

April 1 Calf Memorial Essay Application Deadline

April 6-10 Southern Spring National, Stillwater

April 7 Southern Nat'l Youth Judging Contest

April 8 Southern Nat'l Junior Show, Judge Terri Packard, MD

May 1 Cow Camp Registration Deadline

May 20 Summer Pulsator Deadline

May 20-22 MO Dairy Cow Camp, Freistatt

May 20-22 Missouri Heifer Tag Sale, Freistatt

May 22 MO All-Breeds Youth Show Entry Deadline

May 23 Missouri All-Breeds Youth Show, Freistatt

June 20-25 National Holstein Convention, Orlando

July 1 Youth Transfer deadline for State Fair




 



 


 


2025 Junior Officer Team:
Secretary - Raygan Dougherty, Reporter - Molly Melzer, VP - Sophia Geppert, President - Case Melzer, Reporter - Brantley Keltner
Reporters - Nora Penn, Adeline Dickerson and Kason Wilson (not pictured)

Missouri Junior Holstein Association Officers
Case Melzer, President
22215 S. Jefferson Pkwy, Harrisonville, MO 64701
(410)708-3109
themelzerfive@gmail.com

Sophia Geppert, Vice President
4728 Co Rd 240, Kingdom City, MO 65262
(573) 814-3148
ksgeppert@gmail.com

Raygan Dougherty, Secretary
9972 N Farm Rd 65, Walnut Grove, MO 65770
(417) 880-0165
raygandougherty@icloud.com

Brantley Keltner, Southern Reporter
2981 State Route P, Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 399-3098
bskeltner@gmail.com

Molly Melzer, WC Reporter
22215 S. Jefferson Pkwy, Harrisonville, MO 64701
(816) 289-3589
themelzerfive@gmail.com

Nora Penn, NE Reporter
52390 State Hwy 6, Edina, MO 63537
(660) 342-0250
jpenn@cbofe.com

Kason Wilson, Historian/Digital Scrapbook
4604 Lawrence 1040, Miller, MO 65707
(417) 459-8794
mopulsator2@gmail.com

Bailey Keltner, State Advisor
2981 State Route P, Willow Springs, MO 65793
(417) 399-3098
bskeltner@gmail.com

 

This is a statewide organization open to any boy or girl in Missouri under 21. It promotes Registered Holsteins and has 172 members. 
Dues are $5.00 per year per member. 
Click For Membership Form


 

  • Dairy Bowl, Public Speaking, Jeopardy, and building a banner for National Convention.

  • Judging at local, state and national levels.

  • Showing at local, state and national shows

  • Cow Camp


 

  • State Spring Show Awards

  • All-Missouri Junior Awards

  • Distinguished Jr. Member Award

  • Princess and Missouri Miss

  • Spring Show

  • Junior District Show Awards

  • All-Missouri

  • District Junior and Senior Member Awards

  • Princess Scholarship

  • Spring Classic Scholarship

 



 

  

ACTIVITIES:

  1. Jr. All-Missouri Points:  Juniors voted to have All-Missouri awarded at the Missouri State show. This is the Open Show at Missouri State Fair.
  2. Jr. Membership Fees due March 15: Membership form on main page to print or in Pulsator newsletter. It is important for juniors also to get their state dues paid on time, with the correct address, phone number and email address. This is the information we utilize to contact you throughout the year regarding awards, programs, activities, etc. We do not want you to miss out on an event because we did not have your accurate information. State membership fees are due by March 15. If your household only has junior members (no adult membership) then you might want to consider adding a Pulsator subscription for $30. A great way to stay connected.

      

  


Call or E-Mail me any time if you have questions about 
Missouri Junior Holstein activities. 
My address is bskeltner@gmail.com
My home address is:
2981 State Route P, Willow Springs, MO 65793.
Sincerely,
Bailey Keltner 417-399-3098
State Junior Holstein Chairman


   


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