LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Four National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) directors were selected during  the 2025 VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “Live From Louisville.” The newly elected NJHA directors were announced during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony July 17. Fifty-nine state delegates chose these young leaders to serve a three-year term on a team of 12 directors who govern and serve the organization of more than 4,000 members. 

After giving their retiring addresses, retiring NJHA board members handed off their jackets to the newly elected directors. The four new directors and recipients of maroon jackets are: Maddie Weaber, Wamego, Kan.; Gavin Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo.; Jordan Mitchem, Vale, N.C.; and Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill. Passing on their maroon jackets on to newly elected directors were retiring board members: previous chairman Logan McFatridge, Otterbein, Ind.; retiring vice chairman Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn.; and directors, Kaylee McInvale, Cumby, Texas, and Isaac Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo.

The 2025-2026 NJHA officer team consists of chairman Salem Sifford, Goldvein, Va.; vice chairman Sam Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo.; communications chair Emma Ballinger, McKee, Ky.; membership chair Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan.; fundraising chair Matt Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; and leadership chair Lauren Gatz, Fairview, Kan. Also serving as directors are: Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky.; and Sarah Beth Callicot, Only, Tenn., alongside the four newly elected board members.

Newly elected directors: 

Maddie Weaber, Wamego, Kan., is a sophomore at Oklahoma State University, majoring in animal science. The 19-year-old daughter of Bob and Tami Weaber has served on the Kansas Junior Hereford Association board of directors and participated in the Kansas State University Animal Science Leadership Academy. Maddie also excelled in FFA, where she earned sixth place in the National FFA Agriscience Fair animal systems category. Maddie believes the NJHA has a place for everyone, from the showring to the pasture, from becoming a better leader to connecting with like-minded peers. As a candidate for the NJHA board of directors, she says, “I’m not just running to lead — I’m running to serve, to represent juniors who are passionate about production, education and the future of the beef industry.”

Gavin Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo., the 19-year-old son of Jeff and Susan Rhode, is a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou), where he is majoring in agribusiness management. He has already demonstrated his leadership while serving as the Missouri Junior Hereford Association president and as Missouri FFA State Secretary. He is also a Mizzou Litton Leadership Scholar. If elected to the NJHA board of directors, Gavin’s primary goal is to make a meaningful difference. “Making an impact on each junior I will meet while wearing the maroon jacket will be unique and different, and that difference is what excites me most about the challenge,” Gavin says.

Jordan Mitchem, Vale, N.C., the 18-year-old daughter of Wayne and Crystal Mitchem, plans to attend North Carolina State University to major in animal science and biochemistry. She has served as president of the North Carolina Junior Hereford Association for the past three years. Jordan earned the Commissioner of Agriculture Award — the highest honor in North Carolina’s 4-H program — and is the current Fed Steer Shootout contestant of the year. Jordan explains programs offered at the JNHE helped shape her more than any other NJHA opportunity. “I want every Hereford youth to have the same experiences I have had and be prepared to go out and conquer the world,” Jordan says. One of her goals as an NJHA director would be getting more juniors involved at the state and regional levels.

Kendall Boatman, Rockford, Ill., will be a freshman at Lake Land Community College this fall, where she plans to complete an agricultural transfer degree, followed by majoring in agricultural communications and business at a university. Kendall has taken advantage of many NJHA opportunities, including BOLD, Faces of Leadership conference, the Feed Steer Shootout and Bridging the Gap. She is a 12-year member of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association, where she currently serves as secretary, board member and chairman of the preview show awards committee. The 18-year-old daughter of Tom and Tammy Boatman is a generational Hereford breeder, who has deep respect for the people, values and traditions that comprise the NJHA. “Serving on the NJHA board of directors would be my way of giving back to the breed and the people who have shaped my life,” Kendall says. “I want to be part of the team that moves the breed forward by guiding the junior members who represent its future.”

Other directors: 

Salem Sifford is the 21-year-old daughter of Steve and Rosemary Sifford. She will be a senior at Virginia Tech this fall, majoring in dairy science with minors in agricultural business and animal and poultry sciences. Salem is active in Virginia Tech’s Beef Leadership Council, Dairy Club, Alpha Zeta and Young Farmers. She was a competitive member of the school’s livestock and dairy judging teams. Currently, Salem serves as a teaching assistant for the Virginia Tech dairy and livestock judging teams. This summer, she is interning with the Animal Agriculture Alliance, as well as Virginia Cooperative Extension. 

Salem is excited to serve as a voice for members of the agricultural community and youth in the agricultural industry. Salem has been a member of the NJHA for 14 years, holding several leadership roles. Some of her fondest memories come from the friends she has made within the Hereford industry and the time spent with family along the way. She strives to be someone that youth can look up to and receive encouragement. Her goal within the NJHA is to focus on encouraging juniors to work toward their goals with confidence and dedication. 

Sam Birdsall is the 20-year-old son of Dennis and Heather Birdsall. He will be a junior at Kansas State University (K-State) this fall, double majoring in agricultural economics and accounting. At K-State, Sam is active in the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club, the College of Agriculture’s Student Council and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, where has helped plan and run the Alpha Gamma Royal Preview Show. He has been an NJHA member for 14 years.

Sam looked up to NJHA board members since his first JNHE. He knew he wanted to run for the board for as long as he can remember. Sam’s goal for his time on the board is to inspire NJHA members to dream more, learn more, do more and become more. 

Emma Ballinger is the 20-year-old daughter of James and Carrie Ballinger. She will be a junior at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, where she is studying agricultural education and advocacy. Emma plans to use her degree to share her passion for agriculture with others and to teach her students the value of agriculture. She is a member of theCollegiate Farm Bureau, The Ag Ed Society and the Singletary Scholars Cohort. Emma worked for the Kentucky FFA Foundation during the last two semesters, helping raise funds to impact the lives of future agriculturalists — further highlighting her passion for introducing others to the field of agriculture. 

As a NJHA member and director, Emma hopes that she can help young people find the courage to be involved in the NJHA and to step out of their comfort zone. Her goal as a director is to make others feel at home and welcome within the Hereford breed.

Rylie Meinhardt is the 19-year-old daughter of Bryndon and Julie Meinhardt and comes from a proud agricultural family. She recently completed her freshman year at K-State, where she is pursuing a degree in animal sciences and industry. Rylie is actively involved on campus, serving on the Student Alumni Board and participating in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), Block and Bridle, Agriculture Ambassadors and as a mentor in the animal sciences and industry program. Alongside her siblings, Rylie co-owns and operates Redwood Cattle Co., where they raise Hereford and Gelbvieh cattle. 

With a strong interest in marketing and communications, Rylie combines her academic focus with her hands-on experience in the beef industry. She is especially passionate about developing leadership skills in junior members, just as past mentors and board members did for her. Rylie values learning from others and is deeply committed to building relationships within the Hereford community.

Matt Bruns is the 21-year-old son of Kelly and Stacie Bruns. He will be a senior at K-State this fall, majoring in animal science with a focus on livestock production and management. He has a strong passion for the purebred cattle industry and is actively involved in the NJHA, as well as other breed associations. Matt has exhibited at numerous JNHEs and has served in local and national leadership roles. He is interning with Boviteq this summer, where he is gaining hands-on experience in advanced reproductive technologies. Matt plans to combine his interests in genetics and sales to build a career in cattle marketing and reproductive services. 

He is excited to give back to the association that has shaped his leadership and personal growth and hopes to inspire younger members to get involved and take full advantage of NJHA opportunities. Matt’s goal as a board member is to help juniors find their voice and thrive within the Hereford community.

Lauren Gatz is the 22-year-old daughter of Taylor and Jennifer Gatz. She graduated from K-State in May, where she majored in agricultural communications and journalism with minors in leadership studies and marketing. At K-State, Lauren was involved in ACT, the Agriculturist magazine and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She has served internships with the Beef Improvement Federation, the American Royal, Cargill and U.S. CattleTrace. Lauren has been an NJHA member for 14 years, holding numerous leadership positions. In addition to her NJHA leadership role, Lauren also serves as the communications director for the Kansas Junior Hereford Board. 

Lauren’s goal as an NJHA board member is to help juniors find their place within the organization and encourage them to take advantage of the association’s many opportunities. She hopes to contribute to the development of the next generation of leaders and ensure the future success of the Hereford breed throughout her time on the board.

Harlee Watson is the 19-year-old daughter of Matt and Melinda Watson. She will be a sophomore at Butler Community College this fall, majoring in agribusiness and competing on the school’s livestock judging team. Harlee is an active member of the Collegiate Farm Bureau and the Ag Ambassadors club. She is involved extensively in the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association, where she served on the board for several years. Harlee has been a member of the NJHA for 12 years, holding numerous leadership positions, including serving three years as president of the Kentucky Junior Hereford Association. 

Harlee’s goal as a junior board member is to motivate juniors of all ages to get involved and have fun. She hopes to shine light on the opportunities available and help members develop their leadership skills to grow the Hereford breed and agricultural industry. 

Sarah Beth Callicott, 20 years old, is the daughter of Claude and Lee Ann Callicott. She is a junior at Tennessee Tech University, majoring in agricultural education. Sarah Beth plans to turn her passion for agriculture and the beef industry into a lifelong career, teaching and inspiring future generations of agricultural leaders. On campus, she’s an active member of Sigma Alpha, the professional agricultural sorority, and she participates in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. Sarah Beth also works at a cow-calf operation, gaining valuable experience in beef production, genetic selection and cattle marketing. 

A proud member of the NJHA for the past seven years, she is excited to step into the ring at her fifth JNHE. Sarah Beth and her family take pride in raising high-quality Hereford heifers in their operation and are honored to represent the Hereford breed. Wearing the maroon jacket with pride, Sarah Beth hopes to inspire fellow Hereford juniors to find their confidence and strive to become the next leaders of our industry.

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The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the most active junior programs in the country with more than 4,200 members. The NJHA’s mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork, and emphasizing the mantra of Learn. Lead. Achieve. For more information about the NJHA, visit Hereford.org/youth.

Find the press release and photo here.