GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Four new leaders stepped onto the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) board of directors during the 2024 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). The four newly elected NJHA directors were appointed during the maroon jacket ceremony on July 11 after state delegates selected them to serve a three-year term on a team of 12 directors chosen to govern the organization of more than 4,000 members.
After giving their retiring addresses, four board members passed their maroon jackets to the newly elected directors — Matt Bruns, North Platte, Neb.; Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan.; Emma Ballinger, Mckee, Ky.; and Sarah Beth Callicot, Only, Tenn. The retiring board members include: previous chairman; Tar Tut, Faribault, Minn.; retiring vice chairman Wesley Denton, Blue Rapids, Kan.; prior communications chair Lauren Jones, Darlington, Wis.; and previous leadership chair Hannah Pearson, Oconto, Neb.
The 2024-25 NJHA officer team includes chairman Logan McFatridge, Otterbein, Ind.; vice chairman Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn.; communications chair Salem Sifford, Goldvein, Va.; membership chair Lauren Gatz, Fairview, Kan.; fundraising chair Sam Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo; and leadership chair Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky. Also serving as directors are Kaylee McInvale, Cumby, Texas; and Isaac Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo., alongside the four newly elected board members.
Learn more about the NJHA board of directors below:
Logan McFatridge, Otterbein, Ind., is the 20-year-old son of Robert and Kristie McFatridge. McFatridge will be a senior this fall at Purdue University studying agribusiness. His future goals include a career in agricultural sales and marketing, as well as taking over his family’s herd of purebred Hereford cattle. While at Purdue, McFatridge has been involved with the FarmHouse Fraternity and the Purdue Livestock Judging Team. This summer, McFatridge is interning at American Foods Group where he works in cattle procurement alongside the company’s cattle buyers. McFatridge has been an active member of the Indiana Junior Hereford Association, attending the JNHE and competing in contests since 2010. He has held a leadership position in the organization for four years and has been honored with top placings in the JNHE’s Hereford Bowl, sales competitions and judging. McFatridge plans to use the leadership skills he’s built along the way to guide him on his maroon coat journey, while inspiring younger members to one day don a maroon jacket themselves. McFatridge plans to be a part of the Hereford and cattle industry for a long time and hopes to give back and support the NJHA in any way possible.
Haley Mouser, Tenstrike, Minn., is the 20-year-old daughter of Gib and Michelle Mouser. This past May she graduated from Butler Community College with an associate degree in agribusiness. She also served as a member of the livestock judging team. Mouser is excited to attend South Dakota State University this fall to continue judging livestock and pursue a bachelor’s degree in animal science. Long term, Mouser hopes to earn her doctorate with a focus on ruminant nutrition while expanding upon her passion for public speaking. Since attending her first JNHE in 2016, her goal was to one day wear a maroon jacket. This led her to extensive involvement in all facets of the NJHA, including serving as the Minnesota Junior Hereford Breeders president and being selected NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Senior of the Year. Her focus as a board member continues to be on serving juniors and paying forward all that was given to her during her time in the NJHA.
Sam Birdsall, Torrington, Wyo., is the 19-year-old son of Dennis and Heather Birdsall. Birdsall will be a junior at K-State this fall majoring in agricultural economics with a specialty in finance. He is active in the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club, the College of Agriculture’s Student Council and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Through Alpha Gamma Rho, Birdsall helped plan and run the Alpha Gamma Royal Preview Show. Birdsall has held various leadership roles in his state’s Hereford association, and he is currently the president of the Wyoming Junior Hereford Association. He has also been a member of the NJHA for 13 years. Since Birdsall’s first JNHE in 2012, he has looked up to junior board members and knew he wanted to run for the board. Birdsall’s goal for his time on the board is to inspire junior Hereford members to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.
Lauren Gatz, Fairview, Kan., is the 21-year-old daughter of Taylor and Jennifer Gatz. Gatz will be a senior at K-State this fall majoring in agricultural communications and journalism with minors in leadership studies and marketing. At K-State, Gatz is active in Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), the Agriculturist magazine and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Gatz is interning with the Beef Improvement Federation this summer and looks forward to advocating for the beef industry in her career. She has been a NJHA member for 13 years and has held numerous leadership positions throughout her time in the organization. She currently serves as the communications director for the Kansas Junior Hereford board. Gatz’s goal as a junior board member is to help juniors find their place within the association and encourage them to take advantage of the opportunities NJHA has to offer. She hopes to contribute to the development of the next generation of leaders and ensure the future success of the Hereford breed throughout her time on the board.
Salem Sifford, Goldvein, Va., is the 20-year-old daughter of Steve and Rosemary Sifford. Sifford will be a junior at Virginia Tech this fall majoring in dairy science with minors in agricultural business and animal and poultry sciences. At Virginia Tech, Sifford is active in Beef Leadership Council, Dairy Club, Alpha Zeta and Young Farmers. She is also a member of the livestock judging team and has competed on the dairy judging team. Sifford is interning with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association as well as Virginia Cooperative Extension this summer. She is excited to serve as a voice for Virginia cattle producers and youth in the agricultural industry. Sifford has been a member of the NJHA for 13 years, holding several leadership roles throughout her membership. Some of her fondest memories come from the friends she has made within the Hereford industry and the time spent with family along the way. She strives to be someone that young people can look up to. Her goal within the NJHA is to focus on encouraging juniors to work toward their goals with confidence and dedication.
Harlee Watson, Flemingsburg, Ky., is the 18-year-old daughter of Matt and Melinda Watson. Watson will be a freshman at Butler Community College this fall majoring in agribusiness. At Butler, Watson will be a member of the collegiate livestock judging team. Watson is a recent graduate of Fleming County High School where she served as both the Fleming County and Licking River Region FFA president, as well as the student council vice president and the Fleming County Rotary Interact Club vice president. Watson is heavily involved in the Kentucky Junior Cattlemen’s Association where she served on the board for several years. Watson has been a member of the NJHA for 12 years and has held numerous leadership positions throughout her time in the organization. She served for three years as the Kentucky Junior Hereford Association President. Watson’s goal as a junior board member is to motivate juniors of all ages to get involved and have fun. She hopes to shine light on the opportunities available and help members develop their leadership skills to grow the Hereford breed and agricultural industry.
Kaylee McInvale, Cumby, Texas, is the 22-year-old daughter of Hoyt and Crystal McInvale. McInvale is a recent graduate of Tarleton State University where she was very involved on campus. McInvale plans to attend Kansas State University in the fall to begin her master’s degree in animal science. Her goal is a path revolving around animal nutrition or reproductive health. McInvale has raised and shown cattle her entire life and holds memberships to several breed associations. She has been active in both the Texas Junior Horned and Polled Associations for the last 12 years and served as the 2020-2021 National Hereford Queen. She was inspired by NJHA directors who wore the maroon coat before her, and McInvale hopes that during her time on the NJHA board she can inspire those around her to follow their dreams.
Isaac Rhode, Stewartsville, Mo., is the 21-year-old son of Jeff and Susan Rhode. Rhode will be a senior in the fall at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) majoring in agriculture with an emphasis in animal science, ag business and ag leadership. At Mizzou, Rhode is involved in the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, Block and Bridle Club and Collegiate Farm Bureau. He also has been involved in leadership roles in the Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association and Missouri Junior Angus Association. Rhode has been recognized for his involvement in FFA on the state and national level. He served as a director of the Missouri Junior Hereford Association, including terms as president and secretary. This summer, he interned with Ag-Power, a John Deere Dealership where he is gaining valuable experience in production agriculture. He aims for a career working with livestock producers in sales or service and continue raising purebred Hereford cattle with his family. Rhode has exhibited at 13 JNHEs. That experience ignited his passion for the Hereford breed and the NJHA. His goal as an NJHA director is to help other junior members achieve their goals and dreams. His motto for life is to “Adapt to change in any situation.”
Emma Ballinger, Mckee, Ky., is the 19-year-old daughter of James and Carrie Baillinger, and a sophomore at The University of Kentucky, where she is majoring in marketing and community and leadership development. Ballinger has found success both inside and outside the showring, serving as the Kentucky FFA State Secretary, Kentucky Junior Hereford Association Vice President and also being selected as a University of Kentucky Singletary Scholar. If elected, Ballinger plans to use her role as a NJHA director to encourage participation, enhance educational opportunities and foster leadership. “My goal as a NJHA director is to encourage participation, enhance educational opportunities and foster leadership and community service. By working together, we can create an environment where every member feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential.”
Matt Bruns, North Platte, Neb., is the 20-year-old son of Kelly and Stacie Bruns. A junior at K-State, he is majoring in animal science with plans to pursue a career in marketing services and become an auctioneer. An active member of the NJHA and the Nebraska Junior Hereford Association, he has attended conferences and participated heavily in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout contest. At K-State, he sits on the Premier Farm Credit Student Board, and is a member of the livestock judging team and the Aggies Club. In running for the NJHA board, Bruns explains, “Being an active and dedicated board member is important for me. Being a positive influence on younger members and serving as a role model is the most important part of being a director for the NJHA. It is my aspiration to serve the association and its members as others have done before me.”
Sarah Beth Callicott, Only, Tenn., is the 20-year-old daughter of Claude Callicott, and a sophomore at Tennessee Tech University, where she is majoring in agricultural education. Following college, she plans to teach agriculture at the high school level. She wants to establish a showing team at her future FFA program that focuses on growing leadership and hands-on skills. Callicott also plans to continue growing her own Hereford herd and advance her herd’s genetics. Her involvement in the NJHA has led her to campaign for the NJHA board of directors. “We have an opportunity to develop the future decision makers of the Hereford breed. By ensuring that they are well equipped to advance this organization, we are ensuring that the Hereford Breed continues to excel,” Callicott says. “I not only want to help serve and advance this organization but it is also very vital to me that I help junior members grow individually.”
Rylie Meinhardt, Onaga, Kan., is the 18-year-old daughter of Bryndon and Julie Meinhardt. A current freshman at K-State, she is majoring in animal sciences and industry with a communications option. Her roles in the Kansas Junior Hereford Association include serving as the junior board vice-president and secretary. She is hopeful these experiences and the skills they helped hone will serve her in becoming a member of the NJHA board of directors. “As I continue to write my story, I aspire to include a chapter as a NJHA director. In this role, I recognize the importance of sharing my authentic self and skills to benefit the board,” Meinhardt says.
The National Junior Hereford Association is one of the most active junior programs in the country with more than 4,000 members. The NJHA’s 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 www.JrHereford.org. For press releases and photos, visit Hereford.org/media.
–American Hereford Association
