July 15, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Carrie Horsley, Angus Foundation director of marketing and public relations, at 816-383-5100 or chorsley@angusfoundation.org; or

Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president, at 816-383-5100 or mjenkins@angusfoundation.org

PHOTO: Available upon request via prphotos@angus.org

Setting an Example, Werner Angus

Bill and Betty Werner recognized as 2014 Honorary Angus Foundation inductees

Bill and Betty Werner of Werner Angus, Cordova, Ill., are known for a positive legacy of gift giving to Angus youth. Most recently, the couple donated $50,000 to the Angus Foundation to establish a permanent endowment fund that will provide a $2,500 scholarship to the recipient of the NJAA Outstanding Leadership Award, in memory of Jim Baldridge. 

To recognize their loyalty and commitment, the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) chose to induct the Werners into the Honorary Angus Foundation during the 2014 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Werners dedication to Angus youth and the Angus Foundation is displayed year after year through multiple contributions, including general donations, golf tournament sponsorships and silent auction contributions. Their support of the NJAA Outstanding Leadership Award will impact Angus youth for generations to come, as the award is given to a deserving NJAA member each year at the NJAS.

The recognition will now be known as the Jim Baldridge Outstanding Leadership Award. Becky Tiedemann, Baldridge’s daughter, says the family is proud, pleased and humbled by the Werners’ donation.

“Bill and Betty’s passion for helping Angus youth is unparalleled,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “Through their encouraging words and financial support, the Werners are deserving of this recognition for all they have done for the Angus breed and youth over the years.”

Bill was raised in northeast Iowa where he started showing cattle and hogs at the age of 10. When looking to expand his herd, Werner looked for cattle with the traits he wanted and Angus were the answer. He became a lifetime member of the American Angus Association^® in 1975 and has raised Angus cattle ever since. 

In 1985, the NJAA Board of Directors established the Honorary Angus Foundation to recognize and thank those who have shown incredible support of Angus youth. Seven Angus breeders were honored as the first inductees, and each year the NJAA honors a maximum of three individuals. Any member of the American Angus Association is eligible to nominate individuals or organizations for the Honorary Angus Foundation. A complete list of members can be found online.

About the Angus Foundation

Established in 1980 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to support Angus education, youth and research. To learn more about the Angus Foundation and the programs it supports, call the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or go to www.angusfoundation.org.

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. Explore how the Angus breed impacts every sector of the cattle business – from the feedlot to the meatcase – during the 2014 Angus Means Business National Convention and Trade Show. Hosted by the American Angus Association, the event takes place Nov. 4-6 at the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Participants will hear from top-flight speakers, conduct Association business, visit the trade show featuring allied industry partners and have the opportunity to attend the Angus University.

The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries. For more information about Angus cattle and the 2014 convention, visit www.ANGUS.org.

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