Clone of 2026 Merit Heifer Application

2027 Merit Heifer Program Guidelines

Please read all guidelines thoroughly!
Win a Heifer!
Applications due June 30th

To apply, submit your application, personal essay, three reference letters, junior membership dues, and e-mail a link of your YouTube video here through our NEW ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL! No hard copies will be accepted.

Applications are not complete until YouTube video is received and will not be considered. Selection of the NILE Merit Heifer Class of 2027 will be completed by mid-September, and will be notified prior to the 2026 NILE Stock Show.

Deadline: Must be submitted online by June 30th, 2026. No hard copies will be accepted.

Essay: Tell us why you deserve a heifer. How does receiving a NILE Merit Heifer fit into your current 4-H/FFA project(s)? How would receiving a NILE Merit Heifer fit into your future goals in production agriculture? Why are you applying for a NILE
Merit Heifer? What previous experience do you have in the care and management of livestock that would make you a good recipient? Minimum 1 page maximum 2 pages. 8.5” x 11” paper 1” Margins (top, bottom, & sides) Double Spaced Arial Font size 12pt.

Three Reference Letters: Please provide three reference letters from those that you think would give you an honest evaluation of your character. These references cannot be related to you via immediate family. It must be different than the application references listed on the application.

Junior Membership Fee: A $25 Jr. Membership fee is required.

YouTube Video: Please submit a 3-5 minute YouTube video. The video must include, but not be limited to: Introduction, Facility Tour, Current 4-H/FFA Projects, Goals & Objectives, and MUST be voiced by the applicant. An example video is available to watch on the NILE Merit Heifer's YouTube Channel.

**Note: privacy settings for the video when uploaded to YouTube should be set to PUBLIC! Please ensure the settings are not set to "content for kids".

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR CONSIDERATION, WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO THE APPLICANT, AND MAY NOT BE RE-SUBMITTED.

NILE MERIT HEIFER PROGRAM APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN June 30, 2026. No Hard Copies Will Be Accepted.

Questions should be directed to the NILE Office at 406-256-2499 or shelby@thenile.org

Please give three (3) Application References:

A total of three (3) references are required to complete submission. These individuals should be someone that is not related to you (no immediate family) and be someone that you think would give an honest evaluation of your character. These references MUST be different from the reference letters submitted.
Applicant Reference Number 1
Name*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number #1*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email #1*
example@example.com
Address #1*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Occupation *
Example: Farmer or Ag Lender
How do they know you? #1*
Applicant Reference Number 2
Name #2*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number #2*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email #2*
example@example.com
Address #2*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Occupation *
Example: Farmer or Ag Lender
How do they know you? #2*
Applicant Reference Number 3
Name #3*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number #3*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email #2*
example@example.com
Address #3*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Occupation*
Example: Farmer or Ag Lender
How do they know you? #3*

Essay

Please provide a personal essay with the following criteria:
Technical Criteria:
- Pages: Minimum: 1 page. Maximum: 2 pages
- 8.5” x 11” Letter Paper
- 1” Margins (top, bottom, & sides)
- Double Spaced
- Arial Font size 12pt
Composition Criteria: (The following topics must be addressed within the writing of the essay)
- Why are you applying for a NILE Merit Heifer?
- What previous experience do you have in the care and management of livestock that would make you a suitable heifer recipient?
- How does receiving a NILE Merit Heifer fit into your current 4-H/FFA project(s)?
- How would receiving a NILE Merit Heifer fit into your future goals in production agriculture.
Personal Essay*

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Reference Letters

A total of three (3) reference letters are required for complete submission. These letters should be from someone unrelated (no immediate family) to you that you think would give an honest evaluation of your character. These letters MUST be from different people than your references that we can contact. Insert each below (pdf documents are required).
Reference Letter #1*

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Reference Letter #2*

Cancelof
Reference Letter #3*

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YouTube Video

Please submit a 3-5 minute YouTube video that must include, but is not limited to: Introduction, Facility Tour, Current 4-H/FFA projects, and Goals & Objectives. The video must be voiced by the applicant. This is your opportunity to show the NILE Merit Heifer Selection Committee who you are and why a NILE Merit Heifer would fit the hopes, dreams and ambitions that you have. Be UNIQUE! Find a way to set your video and application apart from the others! **NOTE: Please make sure the privacy setting is set to PUBLIC, not content for kids. Videos marked content for kids are not able to be viewed on a public channel.
Please insert the link to your YouTube video here: *

Signature Page
Applicant Testimony

I have read the rules of the NILE Merit Heifer Program and agree to abide by them. I am an FFA member or a 4-H member at the time of application. I am between the ages of 12 & 16. I understand that I will be required to have my heifer bred, maintain monthly contact with the Merit Heifer Coordinator and my Donor(s), and exhibit her as a bred heifer at NILE in October 2027. Failure to do so could result in loss of award.
Printed Name of Applicant*
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Signature*

Clear
Parent/Guardian Testimony

I, as parent or guardian of the above-named applicant, who is a minor, do hereby grant permission for such child to participate in this program if selected. I hereby, on behalf of and for the child, myself, my heirs, executors, and personal representatives, waive and release any and all rights and claims for injury, death, theft, loss, or damages as a result of this child winning, raising and exhibiting a calf if awarded.
Printed Name of Parent/Guardian*
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Signature*

Clear
Photo, Video, & Social Media Release Form

I hereby consent to release for publication my name and/or photo(s) and /or video images submitted by the Scholarship Applicant or taken by any authorized Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) employee, or any media representative for news and/or publicity purposes. This may include television, newspaper, magazine article, social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc.) and/or NILE publications (newsletters, brochures, NILE Web Page, etc.). I also agree to allow the publication or broadcast of my name in connection with any photo(s) and/or video images taken, and I understand that photos and /or videos for the media and /or World Wide Web may be used in publications and /or Web sites outside of NILE’s control.

I further acknowledge that I will not be compensated for these uses and the NILE owns all rights to the images, videos, and recordings, and to any derivative works created from them.

I waive any right to inspect the uses of any printed or electronic copy. I hereby release the NILE from any claims that may arise from these uses, including without limitation claims of defamation or invasion of privacy, or of infringement of moral rights or rights of publicity or copyright.
Printed Name of Applicant*
Signature of Applicant *

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Printed Name of Parent/Guardian*
Signature of Parent/Guardian *

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date

Junior Membership Application Form
Person to be listed on Membership*

First NameLast Name
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email*
example@example.com
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date

NILE Junior Membership

Open to youth ages 8-21 years of age. Age is as of 1/1/2026

$25.00 Quantity

Processing Fee

$5.00 Quantity

Total

$0.00

Credit Card

First Name

Last Name

Credit Card Number

Security Code

Expiration Month

Expiration Year

Billing Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

City

State / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Country

NILE
P.O. Box 1981
Billings, MT 59103
Phone: 406-256-2495
www.thenile.org

NILE Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)3. Please consult your tax professional regarding the deductibility of non-profit dues/contributions.
NILE MERIT HEIFER PROGRAM APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY:

June 30, 2026.

No Hard Copies Will Be Accepted.

Questions? Contact: shelby@thenile.org
Please verify that you are human*
Should be Empty:

2027 Merit Heifer Program Guidelines

Win a Heifer!
Applications due June 30th

Applicant's Information

Please give three (3) Application References:

Applicant Reference Number 1

Applicant Reference Number 2

Applicant Reference Number 3

Essay

Technical Criteria:

Composition Criteria: (The following topics must be addressed within the writing of the essay)

Reference Letters

YouTube Video

Signature Page

Applicant Testimony

Parent/Guardian Testimony

Junior Membership Application Form