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Mason Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C.; Steven Green, Munfordville, Ky.; Brooke Jensen, Courtland, Kansas; and Bailey McKay, Marysville, Kansas received their maroon jackets as new NJHA directors during the awards ceremony on July 1. 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 2015-16 officer team includes Chairman Amanda Bacon, Siloam Springs, Ark.; Vice Chairman Taryn Adcock, Assumption, Ill.; Communications Chair Kelsey Stimpson, Melba, Idaho; Leadership Chair Jessica Middleswarth, Torrington, Wyo.; Fundraising Chair Cody Jensen, Courtland, Kansas; and Membership Chair Kelsey Repenning, Mitchell, S.D. Also serving as directors are Austin Cole, Bowling Green, Ky., and Tommie Lynne Mead of Midville, Ga.

Here's a little more about the 2015-16 NJHA directors:

Taryn Adcock is the 20-year-old daughter of Jim and Jan Adcock of Assumption, Ill. Taryn will be a senior at Illinois College, majoring in business with a minor in accounting. Having been an NJHA member for 13 years and served as secretary of the Illinois Junior Hereford Association, Taryn says she believes in the opportunities that the NJHA provides to its members. She plans to encourage juniors to jump in and take advantage of every opportunity, especially Program for Reaching Individuals Determined to Excel (PRIDE) Convention.

Amanda Bacon of Siloam Springs, Ark., is the 21-year-old daughter of Craig and Debbie Bacon. A senior at Oklahoma State University majoring in agricultural communications and animal science, Amanda aspires to work in agricultural marketing. Amanda was the 2012 National Hereford Queen. As a director, she says she wants to give back to the association that has given so much to her and to provide the same opportunities to others that she was able to experience. Amanda hopes to continue to find new opportunities for the association and its members.

Mason Blinson is the 17-year-old daughter of Bryan and Beth Blinson, Buies Creek, N.C. Mason will be a senior at Harnett Central High School this fall. After graduation, she plans to attend college and major in agricultural education. A member of the North Carolina Junior Hereford Association, Mason currently serves as the president and has been active in the association for 12 years. While serving on the NJHA board Mason says she plans to spread passion among all juniors and increase junior membership, while focusing on communication with all states.

Austin Cole, 21 years old, is currently a junior at Western Kentucky University (WKU) majoring in animal science with a minor in business administration. He is the son of Don and Katina Cole from Bowling Green, Ky. Austin is the former president and treasurer of the Kentucky Junior Hereford Association, and currently serving as the vice president. He is an active member of WKU Block & Bridle and the Warren County Cattlemen's Association. As a junior director, he says he hopes to keep younger kids active in the association from the very beginning.

Steven Green is the 20-year-old son of Dr. Don and Carol Green, Munfordville, Ky. A junior at Western Kentucky University majoring in agriculture, Steven plans to use his degree to perform reproductive services on cattle in the Southeast. Steven has served as secretary and vice president of the Kentucky Junior Hereford Association while he was also a 2014-15 Kentucky Beef Ambassador. As a newly elected director, Steven says his goal is to prepare Hereford youth to become industry leaders who are well spoken and engaged in sustainability in agriculture.

Brooke Jensen, the 19-year-old daughter of Kevin and Sheila Jensen, Courtland, Kansas, is a sophomore agribusiness major at Kansas State University (K-State). Brooke has been a member of the Kansas Junior Hereford Association for 12 years and is currently serving as president. She has attended many JNHEs and served as the 2013-14 National Hereford Queen. As a director, Brooke wants to give her time and dedication to NJHA because she believes in the association and wishes to keep the youth of the organization involved.

Cody Jensen is the 22-year-old son of Kirk and Steph Jensen, Courtland, Kansas. A senior at K-State, Cody is majoring in feed science and hopes one day to have a milling science position in the Midwest and to continue to raise and sell Hereford cattle. In junior college, Cody was a member of the Butler Community College (BCC) livestock judging team. He is an active member of the Kansas Junior Hereford Association and a past president of the organization. As a director, he says he wants to be a role model and hopes that junior members will feel comfortable in expressing their thoughts and opinions about the association to him as a great listener who can put their requests into action.

Bailey McKay, the 20-year-old daughter of Grant and Linda McKay, Marysville, Kansas, is a sophomore at South Dakota State University (SDSU) majoring in agricultural communication. Bailey has been actively involved in NJHA for 12 years and the Kansas and Nebraska Junior Hereford Associations. She is currently serving as KJHA vice president and has had numerous leadership roles in 4-H and FFA. As a newly elected board member, Bailey plans to advocate and increase participation in JNHE contests that help members develop personal skills beyond the showring.

Tommie Lynne Mead of Midville, Ga., is the 22-year-old daughter of Tommy Mead and Cindy Eppich. Currently attending Georgia Southern University, Tommie is a business major. Having been the president of the Georgia Junior Hereford Association for two years, she has gained many skills. She says she wants to give back to the greatest youth organization by serving as a positive influence to others, while devoting whatever it takes to keep the association moving forward.

Jessica Middleswarth is the 18-year-old daughter of Jay and Marsha Middleswarth, Torrington, Wyo., and is currently attending BCC majoring in animal science and agricultural communications. While at BCC, Jessica is participating on the livestock judging team. She says she is blessed to have the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful organization and will advocate the Hereford breed and continue to get others involved with the NJHA.

Kelsey Repenning of Mitchell, S.D., is the 21-year-old daughter of Steve and Lori Repenning. Kelsey is a senior at SDSU majoring in agricultural communication and animal science. She is a fifth-generation cattle breeder, and has extensive experience with the NJHA both in and out of the showring. As director, Kelsey hopes to educate juniors on genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE�EPDs) to measure the genetic merit of cattle, as well as promote enthusiasm for advocating for the Hereford breed.

Kelsey Stimpson is the 18-year-old daughter of Danny and Katie Stimpson, Melba, Idaho. In the fall, Kelsey will attend Redlands Community College where she will major in agricultural communications and agricultural leadership. Kelsey has been a part of the NJHA for 11 years and has attended many JNHEs. She is the current president of the Idaho Junior Hereford Association and an 11-year member. While serving on the NJHA board Kelsey's goal is to help juniors follow their dreams and reach their full potential in the organization.

The 2015 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.

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