March 7, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Clint Mefford, director of communications
816-383-5143
Angus Foundation Announces Representative to 2019 NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference
Henry Smith of Russell Springs, Ky., selected to attend the prestigious beef industry event.
The Angus Foundation selected Henry Smith of Russell Springs, Kentucky, as the Angus representative for the 2019 Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC), hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The NCBA YCC program is an opportunity for young producers to gain an understanding of numerous facets of the beef industry from pasture to plate, and showcase the industry’s involvement in policy making, issues management, research, education and marketing.
“Being involved in this program will enable me to be a more effective leader, which will allow me to share what I have learned with other producers on a local, regional, state and national level,” Smith said. “I believe by sharing the good news of what Angus breeders and Angus cattle have accomplished – we will continue to have a huge impact on the NCBA.”
Smith inherited his passion for the Angus breed and community while working alongside his father and grandfather. In his youth, he served on the Kentucky Junior Angus Board and attended every National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) during his eligibility. Then in 1992, he represented Kentucky in the National Junior Angus Association Showmanship contest and brought home second place.
After attending Somerset Community College and graduating from Western Kentucky University with a degree in agricultural education, Smith continued to give back to the industry he grew up in. He now operates Smithland Angus Farm, a 300-head Angus and 30-head commercial cattle operation.
Smith has held a multitude of leadership positions on all levels. Regionally, Smith has served on the Central Kentucky Angus Association board of directors, and in 2018, he was elected to serve as president. During his tenure, he played a key role in organizing consignment sales, annual membership meetings and evaluating junior scholarship programs.
“I have never met a more sincere, dedicated person or Angus breeder, and leader than Henry Smith,” said Chuck Grove, current Association board member. “He is precisely the type of individual this program was designated to assist, future leaders of the beef industry.”
At the state level, Smith served on the board of directors beginning in 2002 where he held both roles as vice president and later president. He further committed his time to chairing numerous Kentucky Angus Association committees where he developed budgets, gained sponsors for state-led events, and served as a friendly face to encourage the involvement of current and new members. He was also instrumental in the Organizational Committee for the American Angus Association Angus Tour when it was hosted by Kentucky.
“In those Angus leadership roles at various stages of his life, Henry garnered the respect of his peers and truly showed his ability to lead by example,” said Joe Myers, owner of Myers Angus Farm. “Henry would be an outstanding participant that would reap the knowledge and benefits of the conference because he is a proven ‘leader of leaders.’”
Smith’s passion for the Angus breed and its membership extends to the national level as he currently serves on the executive committee for the 2019 NJAS in addition to his service on the NJAS Grounds Committee in previous years. He is an active member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and participated in Cattlemen’s Boot Camp in St. Joseph, Missouri.
“I am continually impressed by the exceptional young people like Henry Smith, who commit themselves to being visionaries in the Angus breed,” said Rod Schoenbine, Angus Foundation director of development. “Every year, I am pleased to see the addition of young professionals in YCC, and Smith truly is a testament of the strong character and forward-thinking skills that make up the program.”
For more information about the Angus Foundation, call 816-383-5100 or email rschoenbine@angusfoundation.org.
— Written by Karen Hiltbrand, Angus Communications
About the Angus Foundation
Established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1980, the Angus Foundation remains focused on its mission to support Angus education, youth and research. The organization has distributed more than $2.9 million in youth scholarships since 1998, and has also invested more than $1.3 million in beef cattle research throughout the past decade.
For more information, contact the Angus Foundation at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angusfoundation.org.
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. 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. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by nearly 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on 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, visit www.angus.org.
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