July 21, 2017
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Four National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members were elected to the NJHA board of directors at the 2017 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) July 15-21 in Louisville, Ky. Rylee Barber, …
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Four National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members were elected to the NJHA board of directors at the 2017 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) July 15-21 in Louisville, Ky.
Rylee Barber, Channing, Texas; Brandt Downing, Culver, Ore.; Taylor Belle Matheny, Mays Lick, Ky.; and Hannah Williams, Kearney, Neb., received their maroon jackets as new NJHA directors during the JNHE awards ceremony on July 19. Two delegates from each state junior Hereford association voted for the individuals they wanted to represent the membership. The NJHA board is comprised of 12 individuals who serve three-year terms and govern the 3,000-member organization.
The 2017-18 officer team includes chairman Steven Green, Munfordville, Ky.; vice-chairman Brooke Jensen, Courtland, Kan.; communications chair Bailey McKay, Marysville, Kan.; leadership chair Brooke Hinojosa-Sidwell, Carr, Colo.; fundraising chair Mason Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C.; and membership chair Austin Matheny, Mays Lick, Ky. Also serving as directors are Nathan Hopkins, Winchester, Tenn., and Bailey Jones, Darlington, Wis.
Rylee Barber is the 19-year-old daughter of Brett Barber, Channing, Texas, and Nicole Barber, Mason City, Ill. She is a sophomore at Texas A&M University majoring in agricultural communications and journalism. She has been a member of the Texas Junior Hereford Association for 12 years, serving as the 2016-17 president. Rylee’s main goal is to make every member feel included by encouraging them to be involved. She hopes to increase communication between the board and the junior members, while also advocating for the agriculture industry.
Brandt Downing is the 18-year-old son of Scott and Tracy Downing, Culver, Ore. He is a freshman at Butler Community College majoring in animal science with plans to become a feed nutritionist. He has served as president, vice president and treasurer of the Oregon Junior Hereford Association. Brandt hopes to increase NJHA membership and participation by keeping events fun and engaging, to ultimately make a positive impact on the Hereford breed.
Taylor Belle Matheny is the 19-year-old daughter of Andrew and Suzanne Matheny, Mays Lick, Ky. She is a junior at Kansas State University studying agricultural communications and animal science with plans to work for a cattle breed association as a youth activities director. She is a 12-year member of the Kentucky Junior Hereford Association and served as the National Hereford Queen in 2015-16. Taylor Belle’s goals for the NJHA are to increase contest participation, continue junior membership growth and promote Certified Hereford Beef (CHB®).
Hannah Williams is the 18-year-old daughter of Jim and Sheila Williams and Aaron and Angie Kelly, Kearney, Neb. She is a freshman at Kansas State University studying animal science. She plans to attend veterinary school and work in the animal pharmaceutical field. She is a nine-year member of the Nebraska Junior Hereford Association and has served as the historian and reporter. She plans to focus on the junior membership and support the NJHA’s legacy by building a foundation for the future of the Hereford breed.
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The 2017 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo was sponsored in part by BioZyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. The NJHA is one of the most active junior programs in the country with approximately 3,000 members. Its mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork. For more information about the NJHA, visit JrHereford.org.
