May 28, 2026
Who is ready for “The Hereford Masters in Madison,” the 2026 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE)? June is a busy month of event preparation for the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) as we get ready to learn, lead and achieve this summer. Whether you are practicing your speaking skills for the contest room, prepping your cattle to step onto the course in Madison or counting the days to Faces of Leadership, we can’t wait to spend our summer with you. It’s a busy time of year and we encourage you to follow along with the NJHA and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) on their social media channels.
The month of June and July are filled with dates and deadlines to keep top of mind this busy summer.
WELCOME OUR INTERNS & AMBASSADORS
Join us in welcoming the 2026 Youth Activities summer interns and JNHE Ambassadors.
Carli Doerge, Henderson, Texas and Skyler Ward, New Paris, Ohio, joined Team Hereford in May and have hit the ground running as they work with Hereford juniors and their families from across the country. They will be working with the Youth Activities department for the summer focusing on both the JNHE and Faces of Leadership.
Savanna Barcellos, Gustine, Calif., and Ally Taylor, Hayden, Idaho, are joining us behind the ropes as JNHE Ambassadors, assisting with the 2026 VitaFerm® JNHE and we are excited to add them to the team in July.
Read the Press Release – https://hereford.org/summer-interns-join-the-aha/
For questions regarding event registration, contact the American Hereford Association at (816) 842-3757 or email Amy Cowan acowan@hereford.org, Director of Youth Activities and Foundation or Bailey Clanton, bclanton@hereford.org, National Shows Coordinator and Youth Activities Assistant.
For questions regarding contests, scholarships and educational programs, contact Chloé Durian, cdurian@hereford.org.
NJHA MEET-UP — POWERED BY SURE CHAMP®
The NJHA Meet-Up – Powered by Sure Champ®, will continue this year during the JNHE, and we’re excited to continue bringing this event beyond the JNHE and to different events throughout the year.
The NJHA Meet-Up – Powered by Sure Champ ensures that juniors have the opportunity to build connections, collaborate with others across the country and develop lifelong skills. These events are generously made possible by our friends at Sure Champ®, and industry representatives from VitaFerm® will be joining in the fun.
Prior to the 2026 JNHE, this event will also be coming to the Illinois State Junior Hereford Show and the Southeast Regional Junior Hereford Show this spring, before culminating in a two-day celebration at “The Hereford Masters in Madison.” Get excited as we come together as a Hereford family.
LEADERS ON THE RISE — REGISTER FOR THE 2026 FACES OF LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The National Junior Hereford Association’s (NJHA) annual Faces of Leadership Conference mission is to empower NJHA members with the skills they need to develop into the best leaders they can be. Through the Faces of Leadership Conference young leaders are exposed to opportunities in the industry and the conference cultivates communication skills, encourages working in team settings and focuses on individual development. This conference is offered to junior members ages 14-21. Intermediate and senior members will benefit the most from Faces of Leadership.
The 2026 Faces of Leadership conference will be held in Boise, Idaho, July 29 – Aug. 1. Juniors must cover the cost/planning of travel to and from the event.
*Registration cost includes lodging, buses and meals starting with dinner Wednesday evening through breakfast Saturday morning
EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION | June 15 | $500
FINAL REGISTRATION | July 1 | $550
DATES & DEADLINES
Junior National Hereford Expo Contests & Registrations Deadline
*CHB Cooking Challenge, Advanced Speech Contest, Future Professionals Contest, Illustrated Speech, Oral Reasons Contest and Photo Contest
June 1, 2026
NJHA Board of Directors Application Deadline
June 1, 2026
Junior National Hereford Expo Final Entry Deadline
June 1, 2026
Enter Now
Faces of Leadership Earlybird Entry Deadline Deadline
June 15, 2026
State Voting Delegate Submission Deadline
*Submitted by State Advisors
June 15, 2026
NJHA Meet-Up Powered by Sure Champ®
Illinois Junior Hereford Preview Show, Salem, Ill.
June 19-21, 2026
NJHA Meet-Up Powered by Sure Champ®
Southeast Regional Hereford Show, Harrisonburg, Va.
June 19-21, 2026
Faces of Leadership Final Entry Deadline Deadline
July 1, 2026
Hereford Bowl Team Registration Deadline
*Submitted by State Advisors
July 1, 2026
VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo, “The Hereford Masters in Madison”
July 4-10, 2026
Team Fitting Contest Registration Deadline
*Submitted by State Advisors
July 5, 2026 @ Noon
State Groups Submission Deadline
*Submitted by State Advisors
July 5, 2026 @ Noon
Faces of Leadership Conference “Leaders on the Rise”
July 29 – August 1, 2026
