“Winning the Sullivan Supply Best Activities Director award is more than a personal milestone”, says Amy Cowan, it’s a reflection of the people and the industry that make the work meaningful every single day. Cowan noted that the honor represents the strength of a team, the dedication of breeders, and the unwavering support of partners who believe in building the next generation.
Throughout her tenure with the American Hereford Association, Sullivan Supply has remained a consistent supporter of Hereford youth and breed initiatives. While being recognized in the Best of the Barns is special, she is quick to point out that achievements like this are never individual victories. Behind the scenes stands an incredible office staff, visionary leadership, committed boards of directors, and an unmatched donor support system made up of passionate Hereford breeders and industry partners. Without that collective effort, she says, recognition like this simply wouldn’t be possible.
As Director of Youth Activities, her role is anything but routine. No two days, or even two weeks, look the same. One week might find her representing the Hereford breed at the National Hereford Show in Oklahoma City. Next, she’s collaborating with her team to plan spring and summer leadership conferences, coordinating educational opportunities for members of the National Junior Hereford Association, or working alongside foundation donors to expand opportunities for youth both inside and outside the showring.
The fast pace and variety are part of what make the job so rewarding. Yet, the most meaningful moments don’t always happen under bright lights in the ring. For her, the greatest reward comes years later, watching NJHA members she once mentored grow into confident leaders after college. Seeing them make an impact in their careers or return home to strengthen their family ranches confirms that their junior Hereford experiences truly shaped their path. Those moments are reminders that leadership development isn’t about a single event; it’s about planting seeds that grow long after the banners are folded away.
She encourages others to explore the many ways to become involved in the American Hereford Association. Whether a young member thrives in the contest room, the showring at Junior National Hereford Expo, or the feedlot through hands-on industry education, there is a place for everyone. Programs like the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout introduce members to the cattle feeding side of the business and the role agriculture plays in feeding the world. Leadership-focused opportunities such as Faces of Leadership and the BOLD Conference help youth sharpen their skills and prepare for roles like serving on the NJHA Board of Directors.
Looking ahead, her goal remains clear, to develop strong leaders prepared to guide agriculture and the Hereford breed into the future. No matter where NJHA members’ careers take them, she hopes they will look back and recognize how their involvement and the network they built helped shape their success.
One standout highlight was helping organize the World Hereford Conference and Young Breeders Competition last fall. Hosting more than 800 attendees from 20 countries, the event showcased Herefords on an international stage. When Team USA earned champion and reserve champion honors, the pride ran deeper than results; it was about representing the strength of the junior program and the limitless opportunities available to those ready to be part of something bigger.
In the end, this Best of the Barns honor celebrates more than one director; it celebrates a community committed to growing leaders who will carry the Hereford legacy forward.