KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five college students from across the country recently joined Team Hereford for the summer. Isabella Hewitt, Sandyston, N.J.; and Grace Stott, Redmond, Ore., joined the AHA May 18. They will be assisting with the day-to-day operations of the National Reference Sire Program (NRSP) — these two internships are offered in partnership with Olsen Ranches Inc. The American Hereford Association (AHA) also welcomed Carli Doerge, Henderson, Texas; Skyler Ward, New Paris, Ohio; and Gentry Warner, Arapahoe, Neb., to Kansas City, Mo., May 20, for dynamic internships with the communications and youth activities teams. 

“Each summer, the interns bring a wealth of knowledge and new perspectives to our team,” says Jack Ward, AHA executive vice president. “We are eager for them to learn from our staff, assist with projects within their respective departments and meet Hereford breeders within the Association.”

Carli Doerge — Youth Activities Intern

Carli Doerge is one of two AHA youth activities interns. In her role, she will assist the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) with the annual VitaFerm^® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). She also will collaborate with Association staff on other NJHA projects, such as the Faces of Leadership conference.

 Doerge is from Henderson, Texas, and is a senior at Sam Houston State University, pursuing a degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural business. She earned her associate’s degree at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., where she competed on the livestock judging team. Doerge has traveled across the country competing in numerous livestock judging contests while also gaining valuable industry experience through internships with national livestock shows and breed associations, including Beefmaster Breeders United. 

Following graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in agricultural sciences with an emphasis in meat science research. She hopes to continue her career working with a breed association focused on youth development and industry outreach.

Skyler Ward — Youth Activities Intern

Skyler Ward is also an AHA youth activities intern. Her position includes assisting with the production of JNHE along with other NJHA endeavors.

Ward is a New Paris, Ohio, native, and she operates Team Ward Genetics, an Angus and Shorthorn operation, alongside her family. She began her collegiate career at Lakeland College, where she was a member of the livestock judging team. During her time there, she earned All-American honors and completed her associate degree.

Ward transferred to Kansas State University (KSU) and graduated with her bachelor’s in animal sciences and industry. At KSU, she was a member of the 2025 reserve national champion livestock judging team and meat animal evaluation team. She was also actively involved in the Block and Bridle Club and the Swine Club, and completed several undergraduate research projects.

Ward gained valuable industry experience through internships with the American Junior Simmental Association and through her research roles at KSU. She plans to return to KSU this fall to continue her education in animal nutrition and serve as assistant livestock judging team coach. 

Gentry Warner — HPI and AHA Communications Intern

Gentry Warner is interning with the AHA and Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI). She will help with various communications and HPI projects, including social media content creation, email marketing and Annual Meeting preparation. Additionally, Warner will write stories and provide photography for the Hereford World and Baldy Advantage magazines. 

Warner is from Arapahoe, Neb., where her family owns and operates Warner Beef Genetics. She will be a senior at KSU pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and natural resources communications and a minor in animal sciences and industry. She is involved inside and outside of the classroom, completing internships for National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Nebraska 4-H, as well as serving on multiple campus leadership teams and as the current president of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association board. 

Following graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in agriculture education and communications and hopes to continue her career working in breed association communications. 

Isabella Hewitt — Breed Improvement Intern

Isabella Hewitt is a breed improvement intern. She will be based at Olsen Ranches in Harrisburg, Neb., where she will assist with calving, breeding, data collection and day-to-day ranch operations as part of the NRSP. 

Hewitt is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry with a focus on production, and a minor in agribusiness at KSU. She is also working towards a certificate in beef cattle ranch management. Outside the classroom, she is a member of the meat judging team and KSU Collegiate Cattlewomen. She is a student employee at the KSU Purebred Beef Unit along with being an active NJHA member and former president of the New Jersey Junior Polled Hereford Association.

Grace Stott — Breed Improvement Intern

Grace Stott is also serving as a breed improvement intern. She will work with Olsen Ranches to gain real-world experience across all phases of beef cattle production by completing day-to-day ranch operations as part of the NRSP. 

Stott is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a minor in agriculture business at Colorado State University (CSU). Stott is on the Seedstock Merchandising Team, where she works closely with fellow teammates to organize and host the annual university bull sale. Stott is also a CSU Ag Ambassador and serves as the director of constitution and procedures. 

“We are so happy to have Grace and Isabella at Olsen Ranches for the summer,” says Shane Bedwell, AHA director of breed improvement. “This internship, hosted in partnership with the Olsens, provides valuable hands-on ranch management experience and a firsthand look at the NRSP, a foundational piece of AHA breed improvement efforts.”

The AHA is excited to welcome another group of interns into the office. To learn more about the summer internship programs, visit Hereford.org — applications annually open in the fall.

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The American Hereford Association, with headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., is one of the largest U.S. beef breed associations. The not-for-profit organization along with its subsidiaries — Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) LLC, Hereford Publications Inc. (HPI) and American Beef Records Association (ABRA) — provides programs and services for its members and their customers, while promoting the Hereford breed and supporting education, youth and research. For press releases and photos, visit Hereford.org/media.