Aug. 26, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Jena McRell, digital editor, at 816-383-5100 or jmcrell@angusjournal.com; or
Jaclyn Clark, director of events and education, at 816-383-5100 or jclark@angus.org
PHOTOS: State and groups available via prphotos@angus.org or 816-383-5155
Success in Seattle, 2015 LEAD Conference
NJAA members travel to Washington to experience agriculture in the northwest.
By Nicole Lane, Angus Media editorial intern
The Leaders Engaged in Angus Development conference, commonly known as LEAD, is a four-day event that brings together National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members from across the nation to learn about leadership development, agriculture and what life is like in other parts of the country. This year, more than 110 NJAA members ranging in age from 14 to 21 years old traveled to Seattle, Wash., Aug. 6-9 to take part in the annual event sponsored by the Angus Foundation.
“This year’s theme was ‘Success in Seattle’ and it was so much fun getting to explore the city with our Angus juniors and watch them experience new parts of the country, while learning about leadership and building friendships for years to come,” says Jaclyn Clark, American Angus Association director of events and education.
While in Washington, participants visited the famous Pike’s Place Market, toured the Space Needle and spent time on the beach. They also traveled to Taylor Shellfish Farms and Bellwood Acres, an apple orchard and distillery. When not exploring all that the Pacific Northwest had to offer, the juniors attended leadership workshops and heard from industry experts and motivational speakers.
Eric Fernandez, a first-generation Angus producer from Pine Mountain, Ga., says his desire to learn more about the breed is what brought him to the LEAD conference. At 18 years old, he was one of the older members of the group but said he felt like a rookie, since it was his first time at the conference. However, he said it was worth it to gain technical and leadership skills to take home to his herd.
“This was a great opportunity for me to travel to Seattle and meet over 100 like-minded people who share the same common goal of improving ourselves and our cattle,” Fernandez said. “I really enjoyed the Genex presentation, as it taught me all the opportunities available, specifically to juniors, to learn more about genetic technologies and hands-on training in artificial insemination techniques.”
A day on the farm
The home of Taylor Shellfish Farms is in the shallow Samish bay, where a lighthouse made completely from oyster shells — the only one in the world — resides.
Nicole Gilmore, a farm employee, explained to the group that shellfish farming is just like any other type of farm. The Taylor family uses tractors, plants their shellfish in rows and works to protect their crop from predators. They are the largest producer of farmed shellfish in the United States, and operate a business of nearly 500 employees and 11,000 acres of tidelands along the Washington coast and British Columbia. They also operate additional hatchery and nursery facilities in Hawaii and California, a shellfish distribution business in Hong Kong, and are partners growing Fiji Pearls with J. Hunter Pearls Fiji Ltd.
Angus juniors participating in the LEAD conference were able to walk out into the bay, where the shellfish were growing and handle harvested live product.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, being from the Midwest,” says retired National Junior Angus Board (NJAB) Leadership Director Jessica Radcliffe from Weston, Wis. “It was a great way for the juniors to see an industry of farming that they probably aren’t used to, and that’s what we want to relay to them — that we are all involved in agriculture, no matter what product you are producing.”
A short drive north brought the group to Bellewood Acres and Distillery, a family-owned apple orchard and processing facility. John and Dorie Belisle, who planted the initial orchard in 1996 with the intention of producing wholesale apples, operate the farm. No longer wholesale with more than 25,000 fruit trees, the orchard is one of the largest U-Pick operations in western Washington. In addition to the apples, they produce numerous value-added products including apple cider, peanut butter, dried apple chips and distilled apple spirits.
During their visit, juniors were able to tour the orchard and distillery learning how the farm uses apples in various ways for their customers.
The LEAD conference is coordinated by the NJAB, who led team-building activities, leadership workshops and encouraged participants to step outside their comfort zones and meet new friends. Attendees also attended seminars on the Certified Angus Beef® brand, cattle genetics, artificial insemination and marketing presented by industry professionals.
Juniors enjoyed a presentation by Josh Shipp, an entertainer and motivational speaker, who taught them to triumph over hardships in life. The group also received conversational training from Madlynn Ruble, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), on how to advocate for beef.
“LEAD is really life-changing and you get to meet a lot of people and have experiences that you will never get from any other association or club,” said Alana Eisenhour of Wellsville, Pa. “The greatest thing is being able to leave a better leader, advocate and well-rounded person by having these experiences.”
For more information on the LEAD conference or other opportunities for Angus youth, visit www.ANGUS.org. A complete list of participants follows.
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving nearly 25,000 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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2015 LEAD Participants
Arkansas
Katlyn Tunstill, Fayetteville
Conner Cole, Russellville
Nicholas Pohlman, Prairie Grove
Will Pohlman, Prairie Grove
California
Tyler Coleman, Modesto
Dawson Dal Porto, Brentwood
Matt Fenn, Waterford
Brittany Hefner, Springville
Macy Perry, Prather
Emily Piland, Rescue
Rex Roseman, Rocklin
Canada
Raina Syrnyk, Ethelbert, Manitoba
Kayla Scott, Elora, Ontario
Colorado
Alex Vieselmeyer, Amherst
Austin Vieselmeyer, Amherst
Georgia
Eric Fernandez, Pine Mountain
Haley Throne, Lexington
Idaho
Kyle Bratton, Caldwell
Lauren Casdorph, Twin Falls
Johnathan Gillespie, Emmett
Shane Kerner, Weiser
Kassidy Moore, Mountain Home
Illinois
Chase Anderson, Chrisman
Keegan Cassady, Normal
Laramie Chaffin, Roodhouse
Lindsey Decker, Philo
Gabrielle Lemenager, Clifton
Indiana
Madison Butler, Vincennes
Iowa
Haley Greiman, Perry
Olivia Johnson, Prole
Baxter Knapp, Bloomfield
Tim Mardesen, Oxford
Nicholas Prevo, Pulaski
Kansas
Alexandria Cozzitorto, Lawrence
Hadley DeHoff, Tonganoxie
Megan Green, Leavenworth
Mia Hastings, Wamego
Cale Hinrichsen, Westmoreland
Eva Hinrichsen, Westmoreland
Esther McCabe, Elk City
Sarah Pelton, Paradise
Evan Woodbury, Quenemo
Morgan Woodbury, Quenemo
Kentucky
Corbin Cowles, Rockfield
Caroline Cowles, Rockfield
Catherine Cowles, Rockfield
Josh Jasper, Nicholasville
Jesse Kostbade, Henderson
Destiny McCauley, Cynthiana
Tyler McGinnis, Shelbyville
Abigail Smoot, Campbellsville
Bradshaw Smoot, Campbellsville
Louisiana
Katelyn Corsentino, Denham Springs
Maryland
Michael Cropp, Damascus
Michigan
Austin Pillars, Martin
Missouri
Linsey Anderson, Conway
Conrad Behlmann, Saint Paul
Paige Birk, Cape Girardeau
Genesis Brannon, Ellsinore
Reba Colin, Butler
Jacob Heimsoth, Cameron
Caitlin Hoak, Hamilton
Joseph Hoak, Hamilton
Chris Kahlenbeck, Union
Seth Kurtz, Clarksdale
Andrea Larson, Stella
Chase Monte, Mexico
Elizabeth Otte, Saint Mary
Carrie Otte, Saint Mary
Tommy Otte, Saint Mary
Jera Pipkin, Republic
Sydney Thummel, Sheridan
Montana
Jordyn Wagner, Billings
Nebraska
Michaela Clowser, Milford
Reagan Skow, Palisade
New York
Katharine Wesche, Shortsville
North Dakota
Madison Sundsbak, Des Lacs
Ohio
Lydia Dance, Hillsboro
Lauren Grimes, Hillsboro
Oklahoma
Ryan Callahan, Edmond
Braden Henricks, Anadarko
Oregon
Megan Albers, Bend
Madison Cox, Eagle Point
Hayley DeHaan, McMinnville
Corrie Falleur, Gearhart
Mariam Horton, Christmas Valley
Nicholas Sheridan, Yamhill
Pennsylvania
Nathan Briggs, New Bloomfield
Bailey Druck, York
Alana Eisenhour, Wellsville
Brody Fitzgerald, West Grove
Bryce Fitzgerald, West Grove
Andrea Foore, Seven Valleys
Claudia Hissong, Greencastle
Dakota Mayle, Dover
Daniel Rohrbaugh, Seven Valleys
Caleb Schmuck, Thomasville
Alysha Sweitzer, Wellsville
Haley Sweitzer, Wellsville
Lindsay Upperman, Chambersburg
Madison Weaver, Ephrata
South Dakota
Tyler Bush, Britton
Alex Rogen, Brandon
Madison Styles, Brentford
Texas
Georgia Blackwell, Venus
Dylan Denny, Lubbock
Robert Dolson, Hico
Tanner Hash, Archer City
Lexi Stevenson, Bedford
Emily Stovall, Corsicana
Calli West, Paris
Tylee Williams, Rio Vista
Derek Wolf, Windthorst
Virginia
Morgan Alexander, Berryville
Callie Eastin, Gretna
Will Fiske, Greenville
Catie Hope, Berryville
Washington
Shelby Burrus, Tacoma
Katie Emerson, Grand Coulee
Will Gannon, Goldendale
Cassandra Garcia, Renton
Alyx Hanson, Elk
Ashley Hanson, Elk
Garrett Hanson, Elk
Callie Hanson, Newport
Olivia Hanson, Newport
Tatiana Taylor, Goldendale
Tarisa Toth, Anacortes
Andrew Toth, Anacortes
Amanda Toth, Anacortes
Kelsey Vejraska, Omak
West Virginia
Reese Tuckwiller, Lewisburg
Wisconsin
Kori Beisbier, Reedsburg
Paige Gaffney, Barneveld
Evan Henning, Janesville
Suzanne Henning, Janesville
Jessica Radcliffe, Weston
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