For many juniors the week of the Junior National is their most looked forward too week of the year, so it’s important to the breed associations and host states to make sure it’s just that. Two of the best in our business, Director of Youth Activities and Foundation, Amy Cowan and National Shows Coordinator and Youth Activities Assistant, Bailey Clanton go above and beyond to make sure their Hereford juniors have the best week of the year, every single year which is why the Junior National Hereford Expo was voted as the 2018 Best of the Barns Most Enjoyable Junior National.
A lot of work goes into planning a Junior National event. We got in touch with NJHA Junior Board President, Austin Matheny to get a little more insight on the behind the scenes leading up to the JNHE. Amy Cowan and Bailey Clanton and their Junior Board Members, are inventive and unprecedented when it comes to planning the JHNE. “We know the amount of work families put into coming each year so we want to make sure that it is the best it can be on our end. We really want to be welcoming and have great contests and events for our juniors to take part in. This year we added a concert and we hope that it adds one more enjoyable aspect to our the JNHE and the juniors experience. I think anyone who has attended JNHE can feel the welcoming atmosphere and the excitement it brings to summer” stated Austin.
The National Junior Hereford Association has an unmatched precedent when it comes to putting on their Junior National Show. Austin and the rest of the Junior Board, try to be role models for the Hereford youth. Since each and every one of them grew up in the Association they strive to be like the Junior Board that they looked up to. The Junior Board feels that only a small portion of the event is actually about the cattle, and they work for the large part to help better the youth in our industry to give them opportunities that will shape their future.
Amy and Bailey make sure their Junior Board are just as actively involved in the planning and running of the event as they are. They are responsible for helping to run contests and work in the ring the week of the the event, as well as ensuring that every person in attendance is having a relaxing and enjoyable week. “We each have different responsibilities we complete leading up to JNHE to make sure everything is covered. I am really proud of the Junior Board because they have really been hands on with helping make Herefords on the Hill a success” commented Austin.
The goal as the NJHA is to provide an experience that cultivates education, leadership and scholarship opportunities that will continue to help juniors for many years after they walk out of the ring for the last time. Amy and Bailey put the contests as a high priority on their list and each contest is planned with those three things kept in mind because they want it to become a experience that juniors can learn from and make lasting memories doing.
“Hands down I think we have the best Junior National there is to offer youth in the livestock industry. Not only in terms of the quality of the cattle, but the quality of the juniors who are on the halter of those animals. It is evident each year we have breeders and industry supporters who are willing to do what it takes to create an event of this caliber that will shape the lives of so many young individuals. If a person hasn’t made it to a JNHE I encourage you to come and experience all it has to offer. We have seen tremendous growth over the last few years and I see us heading upward for many more years to come. The NJHA has taken a show and made it one of the most unique events in the livestock industry” remarked Austin. The JNHE truly is a unique and the entry numbers are proof that the Association is continue to grow and get more juniors involved. The 2019 Junior National Hereford Expo “Herefords on the Hill” kicks off with set-up and cattle moving onto the grounds today. Over 800 members from 38 states and Canada with their 1,870 entries will be taking over Denver, Colorado for the next 8 days. We would like to wish Amy Cowan and Bailey Clanton, their Junior Board and the rest of the NJHA Staff the best of luck this week, it is sure to be another great Junior National Hereford Expo! Good Luck exhibitors, and be sure to check The Pulse all week long for full coverage, show specials, and giveaways!