May 4, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Jena Lee Wagner, events and education intern, at 816-383-5100 or jwagner@angus.org.

PHOTOS: Available upon request at prphotos@angus.org.

Angus Juniors ‘Raise the Bar’ at University of Georgia
National Junior Angus Association members gather for three-day event in Atlanta.

Angus youth from eight different states recently gathered in Atlanta, Ga., to attend Raising the Bar at the University of Georgia. The conferences represent an opportunity for National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members to travel to different parts of the country, learn from experts in the beef business and meet new friends with the same passion for Angus cattle.

Fifteen NJAA members met April 9-12 to tour the University of Georgia campus, participate in leadership training workshops and enjoy social events. The group also made a stop at the Partisover Ranch, Colbert, Ga., for a tour and dinner.

“Raising the Bar conferences are a really fantastic way for our Angus juniors to learn more about higher education, careers in agriculture, and visit Angus farms and ranches,” says Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association^® director of events and education.

While on the University of Georgia campus, juniors were able to hear from a variety of professionals, including Dean Pringle, who discussed the meat processing procedure in the campus meat lab. Participants also heard from Franklin West, who gave insight to his stem cell research in large animals. Mark Froetschel discussed digestion in the ruminant animal and gave the juniors an opportunity to feel inside the rumen of a steer.  

“We are grateful for all the speakers and hosts who made this experience an enjoyable one for our Angus youth,” Upperman says.

Now in the eighth year, Raising the Bar conferences continue to foster the development of Angus youth by hosting events in four regions across the country. The NJAA, with sponsorship from the Angus Foundation, has conducted Raising the Bar conferences in cities such as Nashville, Tenn.; Ames, Iowa; Columbus, Ohio; and Stillwater, Okla. To learn more about how to participate in an upcoming Raising the Bar conference, visit njaa.info.

A complete list follows of the Raising the Bar participants at the University of Georgia.

About the NJAA

The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and self-development opportunities for more than 6,000 active members nationwide.

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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Raising the Bar – University of Georgia

April 9-12

Virginia

Mark Alexander

Lauren Beasley

Morgan Alexander

Catie Hope

Helena St. Clair

Kansas

Bailey Corwine

Nebraska

Cheyann Lovett

New York

Katharine Wesche

Idaho

Shane Kerner

South Dakota

Alex Rogen

Texas

Tylee Jo Williams

Georgia

Abbey Gretsch

Haley Throne

Greyson Fernandez

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