.svg)
.jpg)
Arianna Miersma of Salem, daughter of Harlan and Hillary Miersma, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Oregon Dairy Farmers Association Scholarship.
Raised on her family’s dairy farm, Arianna learned early that there was always an opportunity to help. Her responsibilities ranged from bottle-feeding calves and moving irrigation pipe to cleaning the employee lounge, baking treats for employees and assisting with repairs around the farm. She credits those experiences with teaching her flexibility, determination, responsibility and a strong work ethic.
Arianna is entering her junior year at Dordt University, where she is studying nursing and has earned a 3.69 cumulative GPA. In addition to her coursework, she plays on the university’s women’s JV soccer team, serves as a teaching assistant in biology and tutors fellow students in biology and chemistry.
Arianna plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing. As the oldest daughter in a family of six children, she has spent considerable time caring for her younger siblings and says those experiences helped shape her interest in working with children. She hopes to continue her education and eventually become a nurse practitioner.
Although she is pursuing a career in healthcare, Arianna says the lessons she gained growing up in dairy continue to guide her studies, service and future goals.
ODFA congratulates Arianna and is proud to support her continued education. We also thank Oregon Dairy Women for managing the scholarship application and interview process.