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National Junior Hereford Association

About NJHA

The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the largest, strongest and most active junior cattle programs in the country with 4,100 active junior members. Over the years, members of this association have gone on to earn international and domestic respect as models for youth organizational success.

The NJHA continues to lay the foundation for the beef industry’s future leaders through its extensive educational programs, such as the Junior National Hereford Expo, Faces of Leadership Conference and the Fed Steer Shootout. The traditions of the past coupled with the energy of today’s 12-member board of directors have created a progressive approach to further develop a meaningful and educational association focus.

The NJHA partners with the Hereford Youth Foundation of America to provide scholarship, leadership and educational opportunities to junior members across the country. These opportunities encourage, recognize and reward the development of life skills and values in the next generation of leaders.

The NJHA creates and promotes enthusiasm for the Hereford breed while providing opportunities to learn, lead and achieve, ensuring a brighter future for youth and the cattle industry.

The NHHA logo on a gray background.

Join the NJHA

Come join the 4,100 active NJHA members and grow your leadership and educational skills.

Board of Directors

A 12-member board of directors governs the NJHA. As directors, they motivate their peers and promote the Hereford breed.

State Associations

The state associations make the NJHA the greatest junior breed association in the industry.

Advantage Newsletter

A biannual piece produced by the NJHA board with all the latest news and updates.

NJHA FAQs

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the NJHA.

Internships and Ambassadors

Prepare yourself for the real world with an internship or ambassador position.

Recent News

April 16, 2026

Cook joins AHA as mail room and inventory associate

The AHA welcomed Molly Cook, Kearney, Mo., as the mail room and inventory associate April 9. In her position, Cook will oversee all mail room organization, including material storage and inventory of mail room supplies …

April 2, 2026

BOLD Conference Builds Next Generation of Hereford Leaders

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — CMT Artist of the Year, Cody Johnson, helped pave the motivational foundation for Hereford youth attending the fifth annual Building on Leadership Development (BOLD) conference in Desdemona, Texas, March 26-29.  “Pray …

April 1, 2026

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

March 19, 2026

Miller named AHA director of commercial programs

Justin Miller, Canyon, Texas, joined the American Hereford Association (AHA) as director of commercial programs March 16. With more than 25 years of experience working in cattle procurement, feedyard marketing, carcass data analysis and branded beef …

March 3, 2026

Hereford Wins in the Lonestar State

Herefords came to Cowtown Feb. 2 for the 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show (FWSS). Judge Tom Hawk, Earlville, Ill., evaluated the 103-head female and 37-head bull show in Texas’ W.R. Watt Arena. The Texas Hereford …

February 27, 2026

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS