Nov. 4, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Jena McRell, digital editor, at 816-383-5100 or jmcrell@angusjournal.com; or

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

Angus Foundation Celebrates 35 Years

The organization’s Supporter Recognition Event pays tribute to generous donors throughout the Angus breed.

For more than three decades, the Angus Foundation has fostered investments toward the future of the Angus breed. Through support for Angus education, youth and research, the nonprofit arm of the American Angus Association provides invaluable insight and opportunities for those involved with Angus cattle.

The Angus Foundation celebrated a milestone 35^th anniversary during its Supporter Recognition Event, hosted Nov. 2 at the Sheraton in Overland Park, Kan., prior to the start of the 2015 Angus Means Business National Convention & Trade Show.

The evening event also honored Angus Foundation supporters who have contributed $250 or more during the past fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2014 – Sept. 30, 2015).

“The Angus Foundation’s growth and progress these past 35 years can only be attributed to visionary Angus breeders, allied industry interests and friends,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “We’re grateful for their continued support in our mission to advance the Angus breed through education, youth and research.”

More than 200 attendees enjoyed a delicious meal featuring the Certified Angus Beef^® (CAB^®) brand, while the following emcees led the evening’s festivities: National Junior Angus Board (NJAB) Chairman Alex Rogen, Brandon, S.D.; NJAB Foundation Director Evan Woodbury, Quenemo, Kan.; and Angus Foundation Board Chairman Charlie Boyd, May’s Lick, Ky.

“Celebrating 35 years of the Angus Foundation is a milestone not only for the Angus breed, but also for the countless individuals and families who benefit from its efforts,” Boyd says. “Pride overwhelms you when you see countless people who are able to go one step further in college because of scholarships, evaluate their herd better because of research or strengthen their knowledge through educational events – all because of Angus Foundation-funded initiatives.”

During the event, the Angus Foundation announced that during fiscal year 2015, the organization reached an all-time record for total revenue.

“Our total revenue in 2015 topped $11.3 million,” Jenkins says. “Our ability to fund scholarships, conduct research and continue education continues to grow. Each gift helps us fulfill that mission. Our sincere thanks to our donors who make this possible.”

Investing in the Future

Dave Nichols, Bridgewater, Iowa, is a long-time supporter and current member of the American Angus Association Board of Directors. This fall, Nichols will be inducted into one of the livestock industry’s most prestigious honors, the Saddle & Sirloin Club Portrait Gallery in Louisville, Ky. To celebrate that occasion, Nichols will establish the “Dave Nichols Beef Cattle Research Fund” through the Angus Foundation.

During the Supporter Recognition Event, an elite bred Angus heifer, Nichols Lula B14, was donated by Nichols Farms and sold with all proceeds to benefit the research endowment in Nichols’ honor. The female was purchased for $35,000 by David and Mary Ann McMahon of Belle Point Ranch, Lavaca, Ark., who will donate her to Subiaco Abbey Angus.

The Angus Foundation also auctioned the American Angus Association’s 18 millionth animal registration number for $15,000 to Whitestone Farm, Aldie, Va. The piece of Angus history will benefit the Angus Foundation’s education, youth and research initiatives.

Another highlight of the evening, Joe and Susanne Bush, J&S Ranch near Gatesville, Texas, announced a $10,500 gift to establish the Joseph and Susanne Bush/J&S Ranch Scholarship and Junior Activities Endowment Fund.

The Angus Foundation was also proud to honor Lifetime Giving Supporters for their continued investment in the Angus breed. The individuals and families recognized have, over the lifetime of the Angus Foundation, contributed an accumulative $25,000 or more.

Considered Angus Builders, who contributed $100,000 or more during the fiscal year, were: Wilma Minix of Black Witch Farm, Athens, Ga.; Bob and Dana McClaren, 44 Farms, Cameron, Texas; and Charles W. and Judy Herbster, Herbster Angus Farms, Falls City, Neb.

Honored as an Angus Patron for donations of more than $50,000, were Gordon and Robin Keys, Beaver Dam Farm, Middleburg, Va. The lifetime Angus Benefactors, reaching $25,000, were: Cargill Meat Solutions, the North Carolina Angus Association, the Virginia Junior Angus Association, the Indiana Angus Association, and Crazy K Ranch LLC of Michie, Tenn.

“Looking around the room, one can only be humbled by the support shown by so many of our Angus friends and families,” Jenkins says. “If the past 35 years are any indication, the future is bright for the Angus Foundation and the entire Angus breed.”

Additional highlights from the evening included a special presentation to the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) Steer Carcass Contest winners, and recognition of Chairman Boyd for his service and leadership on the Angus Foundation Board of Directors.

For more news from the 2015 Angus Convention, tune in to The Angus Report the week of Nov. 16 on RFD-TV. The 30-minute news program airs at 7:30 a.m. CST Monday, 5 p.m. CST Wednesday and 1:30 p.m. CST each Saturday on RFD-TV.

Online summaries, speaker presentations, photos, videos and much more can be found in the Newsroom at www.angusconvention.com.

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 presented more than $2.4 million in youth scholarships since 1998, and has also invested more than $1 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 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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