New Junior Hereford board members, officers elected

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The election of four new junior Hereford members to the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) board of directors was made, along with announcement of the new officer team, at the 2016 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) July 9-15 in Madison, Wis.

Brooke Hinojosa, Carr, Colo.; Austin Matheny, Mays Lick, Ky.; Bailey Jones, Darlington,Wis.; and Nathan Hopkins, Winchester, Tenn., received their maroon jackets as new NJHA directors during the awards ceremony on July 13. Two delegates from each state junior Hereford association voted for the individuals they wanted to represent the membership. The four retiring junior board members announced the results and passed their jackets on to the new leadership.

The 2016-17 officer team includes Chairman Kelsey Stimpson, Melba, Idaho; Vice Chairman Jessica Middleswarth, Torrington, Wyo.; Communications Chair Kelsey Repenning, Mitchell, S.D.; Leadership Chair Brooke Jensen, Courtland, Kan.; Fundraising Chair Steven Green, Mundford, Ky.; and Membership Chair Austin Cole, Bowling Green, Ky. Also serving as directors are Bailey McKay, Marysville, Kan., and Mason Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C.

Brooke Hinojosa is the 18-year-old daughter of Bryan and Linda Sidwell and has been a member of the Colorado Junior Hereford Association for six years. She will be a freshman animal science student at Oklahoma State University in the fall and hopes to work for a breed association or agricultural-based company upon graduation. Hinojosa said one of her goals during her service is to create excitement and passion for Herefords and Hereford youth activities.

Austin Matheny is the 20-year-old son of Andrew and Suzanne Matheny and has been a member of the Kentucky Junior Hereford Association for nine years. He is an animal science junior at Kansas State University and plans to return home to expand his family operation and raise high-quality Herefords upon graduation. Matheny said one of his goals while serving as a board member is to increase participation in the various contests at Junior Nationals.

Bailey Jones is the 19-year-old daughter of BJ and Kim Jones and has been a member of the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association for 12 years. She is a dairy science sophomore at the University of Madison-Wisconsin and plans to attend medical school upon graduation. Jones said her overall goal while serving as a board member is to give all NJHA members a sense of ownership in the organization and a feeling of belonging.

Nathan Hopkins is the 19-year-old son of Roy and Kim Hopkins and has been a member of the Tennessee Junior Hereford Association for 10 years. He is a biological sciences major at Vanderbilt University and plans to continue his education in medical school upon graduation. Hopkins said he looks forward to giving back to the NJHA has a board member.

The 2016 VitaFerm Junior National Hereford Expo was sponsored in part by Biozyme Inc., St. Joseph, Mo. The NJHA is one of the most active junior programs in the country with approximately 3,000 members. Its mission is to create and promote enthusiasm for the breed while providing opportunities through leadership, education and teamwork. For more information about the NJHA, visit JrHereford.org.