At Niman Ranch, supporting independent family farmers means investing in the future. We are thrilled to announce that the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation has awarded $293,000 in scholarships and grants to 52 exceptional young farmers, students and future rural leaders this year.
Why It Matters
Since its founding in 2006, the Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation has distributed over $2.3 Million to help the children and family members of Niman Ranch farmers and ranchers pursue higher education, make farm improvements and implement humane livestock and regenerative agriculture practices.
Thanks to the Foundation as well as Niman Ranch’s lower-overhead, more accessible model, the average age of a Niman Ranch farmer is 43 years old, significantly younger than the national average of nearly 60. The Niman Ranch Foundation helps build vibrant rural communities and sustainable food systems for generations to come.
This Year’s Impact
- 41 Scholarships, totaling $188,600, to pay for higher education
- 6 Farm Improvement Grants, totaling $60,000, to cover the costs of new infrastructure or equipment
- 2 Regenerative Agriculture Grants, totaling $20,000, to support sustainable farming practices
- 3 Gilt Grants, totaling $24,991, to pay for breeding stock
FEATURED RECIPIENTS
Keith and Shelby Hartmann are Minnesota crop and hog farmers who operate their family farm with a strong commitment to soil health, utilizing cover crops, strip-till, and no-till practices on 80% of their acreage. They are receiving a $10,000 Niman Ranch Sustainable/Regenerative Practice Grant to construct an aerated static pile compost system adjacent to their hog barn. This innovative system will speed up the natural composting process to reduce manure volume by 30%, reduce labor and turn deep-bedded hog manure into a nutrient-dense fertilizer to build soil health and reduce tillage.
Josephine Hamilton, a second-year law student at UC Davis School of Law and daughter of Niman Ranch lamb producers Richard and Stacy Hamilton, received the 2026 Phyllis Willis Pioneer Award. Raised on her family’s ranch in Rio Vista, California, Josephine plans to pursue a career in agricultural law focused on land management, water rights and advocating for family farmers.
Morgan Moen of Decorah, Iowa was awarded a $7,000 scholarship. An Agricultural Studies student at Iowa State University, Morgan has spent over 15 years working alongside her family to raise hogs on the family farm, where she recently established her own Niman Ranch herd. Morgan is receiving this scholarship in recognition of her dedication to sustainable, high-welfare farming practices and her plans to return to the farm and eventually take over management of the operation.
Thank You to Our Supporters
These awards are made possible through the generosity of Niman Ranch’s donor network, including key partners like ButcherBox, Harris Teeter, High West Saloon, The Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, Franklin P. & Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Marczyk Fine Foods, Mary Ann’s Specialty Foods and Wasatch Meats.
Join us in celebrating this year’s inspiring class of recipients!
- Josephine Althoff, Hillsboro, MO
- Quinten Badger, Paoli, IN
- Kade Bockenstedt, Greeley, IA
- Thomas Brand, Lake City, MN
- Aaliyah Buter, Denison, IA
- Lauren Clark, West Lafayette , IN
- Adam Dynes, Annawan, IL
- Delaney Eckles, Dexter, IA
- Kaleb Ellis, Independence, WI
- Gavin Engelbrecht, Alexandria, MN
- James Fitzpatrick, Danbury, IA
- Hannah Greiner, Atkins, IA
- Emma Haan, Parkersbrug, IA
- Josephine Hamilton, Rio Vista, CA
- Keith & Shelby Hartmann, Gibbon, MN
- Luke Hert, Sedan, KS
- Lillian Howe, Thurman, IA
- Noah Howe, Thurman, IA
- Autumn Kenyon, Gary, SD
- Mackenzie Kepner, Lena, IA
- William Kroneman, Luzerne, IA
- Isabella Kuehn, Worthington, IA
- Paige Mehmen, Osage, IA
- Joe & Anna Mickelson, Lamoni, IA
- Morgan Moen, Decorah, IA
- Cade Nolte, Wilton, IA
- Grant Oaks, Harris, MO
- Annelise Obermark, labadie, MO
- Cael O’Brien, Ames, IA
- Andrew Olson, Alexis, IL
- Wesley Pinkleman, Wynot, NE
- Madilyn Portner, New Ulm , MN
- Sawyer Schmidt, Preston, IA
- Molly Scott, Wellsville, MO
- Laura Steinkamp, Wall Lake, IA
- Brooklyn Talsma, Chandler, MN
- Noah & Sarah Taylor, Bouton, IA
- Mitchell Tiefenthaler, BREDA, IA
- Macy Tiefenthaler, Breda, IA
- Victoria Ubben, Lansing, MI
- Eden Van Zante, Fremont, IA
- Eliza Van Zante, Fremont, IA
- Alexis Vanderlei, Springfield, SD
- Georgia Wahl, Tangent, OR
- Morgan Wegs, Indianapolis, IN
- Lucas Wenke, Fort Madison, IA
- Jenna Wenke, Fort Madison, IA
- Elsie Wiebe, Dawson, MN