Aug. 20, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Carrie Heitman, communications coordinator, at 816-383-5100 or cheitman@angus.org; or

Robin Ruff, director of junior activities, at 816-383-5100 or rruff@angus.org.

PHOTOS: Available at prphotos@angus.org or 816-383-5155.
VIDEO:  Watch highlights from the LEAD Conference.

Angus Youth Participate in LEAD Conference
National Junior Angus Association members travel to Fort Collins, Colo., for networking and leadership training.

            The 2012 Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference is one for the record books. White water rafting, a challenging high ropes course, and top livestock industry speakers made the Rocky Mountain landscape an ideal setting to bring Angus juniors together.

            The event, themed “Peak Performance,” was held Aug. 2-5 in Fort Collins, Colo. Thanks to generous support from the Angus Foundation, 193 National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members and enthusiasts from 32 states and Canada were able to experience the leadership conference. LEAD is an opportunity specifically for members 14-21 years old.

“LEAD is one of the best events the NJAA offers youth,” says Kelli Retallick of Glen Haven, Wis. “The conference gets kids out of the showring and into a room full of youth from across the country who are all passionate about the same thing — the Angus breed.”

Retallick is a member of the NJAA Board of Directors, elected during the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) each summer. The junior board kicked off the LEAD conference with team building activities and presented various workshops throughout the four-day event.

Learning from each other and industry professionals

Another featured speaker was former junior board member Britney Creamer of Montrose, Colo., who shared her recent journey to Uruguay and what the cattle business is like in South America. The first night of the conference, participants enjoyed hypnotist Dr. Al Snyder, whose talents entertained the crowd with plenty of laughter.

            A stop at the Colorado State University (CSU) Ropes Challenge Course gave juniors the chance to experience the importance of building trust and communication skills with their team members. Climbing a rock wall and ropes nearly 30 feet from the ground had many juniors facing their fear of heights, and encouraging each other every step of the way.

            “These type of activities allow juniors to realize that you need a team and leadership skills to get almost anywhere in life,” says Robin Ruff, American Angus Association^® director of junior activities. “And it’s a whole lot more fun while letting them just be kids.”

            That team spirit continued while hitting the Cache La Poudre River for white water rafting, a first for many on the trip.

            “When I heard the trip included white water rafting, I knew this LEAD conference was one I couldn’t miss,” says LEAD participant Justin Mauss of Ash Grove, Mo. “But the real adventure for me was touring and learning from some of the most respected ranches and agriculture professionals in the Angus breed.”

The LEAD conference educates juniors about the breed that ties them all together, Angus. Participants heard from Ryan Peterson, Leachman Cattle of Colorado in Wellington, Colo., on how Angus genetics can transform a cow herd. Heather Hays of Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) spoke about the popular branded beef program, joined by Jeff Harvey of Lombardi Brothers Meats, Denver, Colo., who shared how CAB helped the specialty meats company survive during tough economic times.

            A favorite for many, Dr. Temple Grandin also spent time with the junior members while at the CSU campus, and discussed techniques that can make them better stewards to their animals. The CSU Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center staff was also on-hand to visit with LEAD participants, as well as serve lunch prepared by the CSU meat lab.

Touring area Angus operations

            The LEAD conference included tours at Aristocrat Angus Farms, Platteville, Colo.; Rocky Mountain Sire Services, Bennett, Colo.; and Spruce Mountain Ranch, Larkspur, Colo.
            While at Aristocrat, juniors toured facilities and listened to Dr. Tim Holt of CSU explain high altitude pulmonary hypertension in cattle. Juniors then traveled to Rocky Mountain Sire Services, Inc., where they were able to view popular sires on display and learn about the operation, from semen collection to storage. Tours ended with dinner and entertainment at Spruce Mountain Ranch. Holt put on a magic show for the juniors, who were also able to view cattle across the vast ranch spanning the mountain valley.   

"The Angus Foundation is proud to financially support the LEAD conference for Angus juniors each year," says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. "These youth are able to network with one another, while learning more about the Angus breed through visiting elite ranches. This growing and learning will undeniably help them become advocates for the Angus breed in the future."

The 2012 LEAD Conference ended with two speakers who encouraged participants to put their leadership skills to use. A speaker from Rachel’s Challenge shared the story of the Rachel Scott, a victim of the 1999 Columbine high school shootings, and how students can make a positive impact by: looking for the best in others, dreaming big, choosing positive influences, speaking with kindness, and starting their own chain reaction. Motivational speaker Andrew McCrea encouraged juniors to take what they’ve learned from the event and put it to practice in their own schools, communities and junior associations.

A complete list of participants follows.

            Group and individual state photos are available at prphotos@angus.org. For more information about LEAD, contact the NJAA at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angus.org/njaa.

The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef organization, serving more than 30,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.

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Canada

Valentina Gabert, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Chad Lorenz, Markerville, Alberta

Arkansas

Katy Tunstill, Fayetteville, Ark.

Emma Jumper, Paragould, Ark.

Fred Pohlman II, Praire Grove, Ark.

Audrey Taylor, Lavaca, Ark.

Christine Taylor, Lavaca, Ark.

Jacy Alsup, Gravette, Ark.

California

Sydney Schnoor, Chowchilla, Calif.

Macy Perry, Prather, Calif.

Emily Piland, Rescue, Calif.

Manuel Casillas, Lincoln, Calif.

Savannah Levisay, Creston, Calif.

Colorado

Austin Vieselmeyer, Amherst, Colo.

Florida

Josh Rodriguez, Lloyd, Fla.

Georgia

Taylor Gazda, Athens, Ga.

Abbey Gretsch, Crawford, Ga.

Anna Scott, Douglas, Ga.

Katherine Throne, Lexington, Ga.

Clay Williams, Bishop, Ga.

Iowa

Bryanne Duckett, New Liberty, Iowa

Samantha Schermer, Latimer, Iowa

Tyler Steele, Anita, Iowa

Erin Steele, Anita, Iowa

Katie Friederichs, Walcott, Iowa

Austin Brandt, Corning, Iowa

Lauren Barker, Monticello, Iowa

Idaho

John Wiseman, Filer, Idaho

Michael Wiseman, Filer, Idaho

Matthew Malson, Parma, Idaho

Michelle Malson, Parma, Idaho

Shane Kerner, Weiser, Idaho

Lauren Casdorph, Twin Falls, Idaho

Illinois

Kayla Widerman, Good Hope, Ill.

Keegan Cassady, Normal, Ill.

Jennifer Ewing, Champaign, Ill.

Ashley McEwen, Bushnell, Ill.

Chase Anderson, Chrisman, Ill.

Indiana

Katelyn Wilson, Orleans, Ind.

Kyrsten Retherford, Indianapolis, Ind.

Lauren Jernas, Knox, Ind.

Garrett Knebel, Winamac, Ind.

Alexandra Zechiel, Argos, Ind.

Kansas

Jackson Wingert, Ottawa, Kan.

Eric Blythe, White City, Kan.

Tyler Blythe, White City, Kan.

Allie Blythe, White City, Kan.

Trenton Blythe, White City, Kan.

Megan Blythe, White City, Kan.

Hadley DeHoff, Tonganoxie, Kan.

Evan Woodbury, Quenemo, Kan.

Kentucky

Sheldon Burks, Park City, Ky.

Corbin Cowles, Rockfield, Ky.

Jesse Kostbade, Henderson, Ky.

Levi Stephenson, Carrolton, Ky.

Zach Costin, Elizabethtown, Ky.

Maggie Jasper, Versailles, Ky.

Louisiana

Joshua Scott, Loranger, La.

Sarah Burch, Loranger, La.

Lee Hymel, Vacherie, La.

Nancy Bickham, St. Francisville, La.

Trevor Sonnier, Pineville, La.

Cheyenne Jones, Franklinton, La.

Daniel McFarland, Keithville, La.

Katelyn Corsentino, Denham, Springs, La.

Maryland

Michael Cropp, Damascus, Md.

Michigan

Justin Ruggles, Kingston, Mich.

Chelsea Ruggles, Kingston, Mich.

Minnesota

Andrew Scholtz, Comfrey, Minn.

Alisha Nord, Wolverton, Minn.

Luke Nord, Wolverton, Minn.

Emily Scholtz, Comfrey, Minn.

Taylor Waugh, Goodhue, Minn.

Missouri

Carrie Otte, St. Mary, Mo.

Elizabeth Otte, St. Mary, Mo.

Paige Wallace, Stotts City, Mo.

Cameron Ward, Plattsburg, Mo.

Carter Ward, Plattsburg, Mo.

Taylor Short, Mansfield, Mo.

Jake Heimsoth, Cameron, Mo.

Chance Hardy, Diamond, Mo.

Jera Pipkin, Republic, Mo.

Justin Mauss, Ash Grove, Mo.

Jacob Coon, Bethel, Mo.

Nathan Eagleburger, Buffalo, Mo.

Erica Atkinson, Walnut Grove, Mo.

Hannah Moyer, Lamar, Mo.

Cooper Sadowsky, Eagleville, Mo.

Sydney Thummel, Sheridan, Mo.

Montana

Randy Frye, Three Forks, Mont.

Kyle Frye, Three Forks, Mont.

Catherine Callantine, Belgrade, Mont.

Avery Bates, Manhattan, Mont.

Jordyn Wagner, Billings, Mont.

Jena Wagner, Billings, Mont.

North Carolina

Sable Scott, Carthage, N.C.

Brooke Harward, Richfield, N.C.

John Bray, Lawsonville, N.C.

Andrew Bray, Lawsonville, N.C.

Daniel Brown, Boone, N.C.

North Dakota

Caleb Mehlhoff, Arena, N.D.

Renae Tokach, St. Anthony, N.D.

Nebraska

Torie Egger, Columbus, Neb.

Caylie Egger, Columbus, Neb.

Emily Dethlefs, North Platte, Neb.

Aliesha Dethlefs, North Platte, Neb.

Michaela Clowser, Milford, Neb.

Savannah Schafer, Nehawka, Neb.

Allee Maronde, York, Neb.

Atlanta Maronde, York, Neb.

Ohio

Will Harsh, Radnor, Ohio

Lindsey Grimes, Hillsboro, Ohio

Oklahoma

Jaryn Frey, Kingfisher, Okla.

Sydnee Gerken, Cashion, Okla.

Karissa Pfeiffer, Orlando, Okla.

Oregon

Tyler Thomas, Baker City, Ore.

Luke Coomer, Baker City, Ore.

Katelyn McCoy, La Grande, Ore.

Pennsylvania

Andrea Foore, Seven Valleys, Pa.

Logan Foore, Seven Valleys, Pa.

Kayce Myers, Wellsville, Pa.

Alexis Cash, York, Pa.

Bailey Druck, York, Pa.

Claudia Hissong, Greencastle, Pa.

Kyle Livingston, Dover, Pa.

Kate Livingston, Dover, Pa.

Shelby Dean, New Castle, Pa.

Lindsay Upperman, Chambersburg, Pa.

Cody Harpster, Penna Furnace, Pa.

Brody Fitzgerald, West Grove, Pa.

Bryce Fitzgerald, West Grove, Pa.

South Carolina

Drake Yon, Ridge Spring, S.C.

Corbin Yon, Ridge Spring, S.C.

Sally Yon, Ridge Spring, S.C.

Cory Watt, Iva, S.C.

Carly Watt, Iva, S.C.

South Dakota

Tyler Bush, Britton, S.D.

Alex Rogen, Brandon, S.D.

Tennessee

Ethan Rowlett, Martin, Tenn.

Lawson Rowlett, Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

JanLee Rowlett, Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Texas

Tylee Jo Williams, Clarendon, Texas

Julie Williams, Idalou, Texas

Derek Wolf, Windthorst, Texas

Megan Ahearn, Wills Point, Texas

Tanner Hash, Archer City, Texas

Maddison Holder, Cleburne, Texas

Virginia

Connor Orrock, Woodford, Va.

Catie Hope, Berryville, Va.

Gina Hope, Berryville, Va.

Morgan Alexander, Berryville, Va.

Mark Alexander, Berryville, Va.

Will Fiske, Greenville, Va.

Shane Clary, Brodnax, Va.

Washington

Shelby Burrus, Tacoma, Wash.

Sarah DeYoung, Snohomish, Wash.

Ryan DeYoung, Snohomish, Wash.

Tim Crabtree, Kingston, Wash.

Wisconsin

Heidi Tremaine, Oconomowoc, Wis.

Jessica Radcliffe, Weston, Wis.

Kelli Retallick, Glen Haven, Wis.

Kori Beisbier, Reedsburg, Wis.

Allison Hawthorne, Westby, Wis.

West Virginia

Austin Cogle, Kearneysville, W.V.