REGION UPDATES
with TSCRA leadership, engage their campus communities, and serve as representatives of the association.
The Texas Cattle Feeders Association( TCFA) Junior Fed Beef Challenge encourages young people to gain practical experience in feeding commercial beef cattle. This program stresses the importance of proper animal husbandry and financial management. In the last 25 years, TCFA has introduced hundreds of young people to the cattle feeding industry through the Junior Fed Beef Challenge.
The Arkansas Cattlemen’ s Leadership Course( ACLC) instills principles of leadership and advocacy within the beef industry and promotes the involvement of young producers within the state. Participants attend five sessions spread throughout the year. During each session, participants get the opportunity to learn different skills to better advocate for the cattle industry in Arkansas and around the country. Participants who complete the course are invited to take part in the graduation ceremony.
REGION V
Jim Steinbeisser
Anyone who has had a leadership role in a volunteer organization for any length of time has eventually realized it is imperative for the future success of the organization to develop future leaders. I know... it’ s easier said than done but it’ s so worth the effort! This can be achieved in several ways. In my experience, a multi-prong approach is most effective. As a past president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, I paid attention to who was engaging in the committee meetings or at any gathering we had. As a leader, giving new or young members some of your attention is very important. It makes them feel like they matter, and they do! This can give them the confidence they need to feel at home in the association and to further engage with the members.
I visited with several of the affiliates in Region V about some of the things they do to develop new and young leaders. There’ s a variety of approaches, and everyone I talked to certainly recognized the importance of developing leaders. Probably the most impactful was a leadership program with several classes, each one focused on a specific area, such as lobbying and testifying in the state legislature. It was also valuable for them to interact with the current leadership of the association. Some even travel to D. C. Collegiate cattlemen / stockgrower organizations are also a very effective way of getting the next generation involved and having a place for them to meet at your convention.
Of course, one of the best programs available for young livestock producers / leaders is NCBA’ s Young Cattlemen’ s Conference. I encourage you to support this in your state!
REGION Vl
By Jeff Young
Each of the state affiliates in Region VI are making intentional investments to ensure the next generation of cattle producers have the skills, capital and confidence to succeed. From New Mexico, Arizona and Utah to Nevada, California and Hawaii, youth development is a cornerstone of long term industry sustainability. The following are a few notable examples of what is happening in our region.
The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association offers several programs helping young people in agriculture. Among these are the
Linda Davis Young Cattlemen’ s Leadership Academy, the Heritage Buckle Contest, and the Allied Industry Mentor Internship Program.
The Arizona Cattle Growers Association supports the Arizona Junior Cattle Club which teaches youth livestock judging skills. They also support a young rancher program called“ Ranchers for Tomorrow” which has a podcast called“ The Gate Post” that discusses industry issues.
The Nevada Cattlemen’ s Association offers substantial scholarships to students pursuing education in agricultural fields. They set funds aside to send young producers to CattleCon and the NCBA Trade Show as well as other national meetings.
The Utah Cattlemen’ s Association partners with the Utah State Extension Specialist to provide young producers with an industry experience modeled after NCBA’ s Young Cattlemen’ s Conference. The Utah Cattlewomen’ s Association also hosts a Beef Ambassador program where the ambassadors advocate for beef production around the state.
Other states and affiliates are leveraging traditional youth programs such as 4-H and FFA, pairing hands on livestock projects with formal education. Region VI states believe in the value of supporting youth education, leadership development, and young producer outreach.
REGION Vll
By Jeff Schafer
As we think about developing our youth and the next generation of leaders, I’ m reminded of a quote from a good friend:“ We are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us.” Our legacy of more than 100 years as a national association means we are surely standing on the shoulders of past leaders and members. Who will be standing on our shoulders to continue carrying out the important mission of our associations?
Region VII is very aware of the value of our youth and is very engaged with them, including them and developing them into future leaders. Several educational opportunities lie within our states— hosting youth and educating them about the beef industry including tours of different segments of the beef industry. On those tours, they get to meet and hear from experienced leaders in each segment who have abundant knowledge to share with the group.
Scholarships and student memberships are also important in our region. Any of you who have been involved in reviewing scholarship applications would likely agree with me that the future is bright for the beef industry.
Our region also utilizes legislative conferences. Often times, it is eye-opening for a young producer newly exposed to the legislative process, and they see the need for our state affiliates and NCBA to be involved in helping shape policy that helps, rather than hinders, our businesses.
I encourage all of us to continue to invite and involve any young producers to the scholarship opportunities and educational opportunities available. Personal invites go a lot further than any other method. www. NCBA. org NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 17