National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) directors joined leaders from other youth organizations to learn more about the latest industry trends and how to become stronger advocates for agriculture and the beef industry during the bi-annual Youth Beef Industry Congress (YBIC) April 25-27 in Denver, Colo.

“YBIC was an amazing experience. Throughout the conference, we explored the role of sustainability in the food supply chain and the importance of telling our story about our own sustainability practices,” says Sam Birdsall, NJHA director. “It was also a great opportunity to network with other junior leaders representing various breeds from across the country.”

The YBIC mission is providing young leaders of all breeds the opportunity to hone their leadership skills, network with others and learn new ways to advance agriculture. This year's conference was hosted by the Red Angus Association and Junior Red Angus board of directors.

Tour stops included Five Rivers Cattle Feeding LLC, Colorado State University, Leachman Cattle and the National Western Stock Show campus. In addition to tour hosts, YBIC presenters included: TJ Carlisle, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) director of beef sustainability research; Chandler Mulvaney, former NJHA member and NCBA director of grassroots advocacy and spokesperson development; John Hinners, US Meat Export Federation; Doug Stanton, IMI Global; and Karissa Isaacs, Superior Farms American Lamb.

“This year's YBIC provided a valuable platform for its members to forge meaningful networking connections and further their professional growth. Our board engaged with a diverse group of like-minded young professionals from various breed boards and cattlemen associations,” explains Tar Tut, NJHA chairman. “The event fostered excellent interactions and exchanges, broadening insights across different associations and promoting a closely connected community of emerging leaders.”

This year’s YBIC included more than 120 leaders from 18 junior breed and junior cattlemen’s associations.

“Working with and learning from the leaders within other breeds made the YBIC conference one of the most unique opportunities I have been part of,” says Haley Mouser, NJHA Fundraising Chair. “It opened my eyes to the scope of the collective goal we all share, building the next generation of beef industry leaders, and gave me a new perspective on my role as a junior board member.”

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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.