Twenty-one National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members were selected to accompany six NJHA Board of Directors at the second Building On Leadership Development (BOLD) Conference, Desdemona, Texas, March 23-26. This elite leadership retreat was hosted at Hi Point Ranch, owned by Gary and Kathy Buchholz, GKB Cattle.

The NJHA Board of Directors created BOLD for college-aged junior Hereford members seeking opportunities to expand their leadership skills. BOLD is geared toward college and career focused junior members, providing them with a personalized learning experience, focused on improving their leadership, providing career opportunities and cultivating life-long relationships.

“From the moment I got there, I was laughing and having fun with my peers, but I’ve also been challenged to think of what I want my future to look like and how to achieve it,” said Lauren Jones, BOLD conference attendee.

This conference has quickly become a new staple of the NJHA, as juniors leave empowered for their future. “While I always hope that our juniors take what they learn to heart and apply it to their daily lives, there is one thing I hope they remember: never compare yourself and your situation to those around you,” Tar Tut, NJHA Leadership Chair said. “During a roundtable with Terri Barber, Elanco Animal Health, she shared that comparison is the thief of joy. That struck a chord with me, and I hope our juniors continue to run their own race, at their own pace.”

Junior members spent the first evening participating in team building activities, as well as learning about Certified Hereford Beef® (CHB). Representatives from CHB were there with the juniors, and taught them how to cut their own steaks and prepare for proper grilling techniques. On day two, they were welcomed by Gary and Kathy Buchholz to Hi Point Ranch, followed by an inspirational message from keynote speaker Kelly Barnes, and workshops designed and hosted by the NJHA Board of Directors leadership team. These sessions focused on who you are as a leader, the type of leader you want to be and the legacy you want to leave.

The final day started with panel conversations hosting different career professionals from GKB Cattle, Elanco Animal Health, Priefert and the American Hereford Association (AHA). From there, juniors participated in mock interviews and resume reviews to help prepare them for their future careers. Tours of the different GKB Cattle operations were held both days, exposing attendees to different aspects of the industry.

BOLD is an annual leadership opportunity and is scheduled for April 4–7, 2024. Junior members ages 14 –22 looking to expand their leadership skills are invited to attend the 2023 Faces of Leadership Conference scheduled for July 23-26 in Columbus, Ohio. Registration will open in May.

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The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) is one of the largest, strongest and most active junior cattle programs in the country. Over the years, members of this association have gone on to earn international and domestic respect as models for youth organizational success. The NJHA, through its extensive educational programs, continues to lay the foundation for the beef industry’s future leaders. The traditions of the past coupled with the energy of today’s board of directors have created a progressive approach to further develop a meaningful and educational association focus