When the National Hereford Women (NHW) come together to support Hereford youth big things happen, and this holiday season is no different.  Just like their mission states, with an open mind, open hearts and the passion to be successful, the NHW generously donated $20,000 to the 2024 Hereford Season of Giving. With this special challenge gift, the NHW invites you to be part of the effort to double the impact and open up even more opportunities for future generations.

As the Hereford family comes together to match the NHW’s generosity of the season, Hereford youth will benefit in the area of leadership.  All funds raised to match this gift will be solely dedicated to the NHW’s Faces of Leadership scholarship fund, with the ultimate goal of building an endowment for travel to the annual conference. “Hereford youth are the next generation of industry leaders,” said Beth Mansfield, newly elected NHW president. “We hope to be an avenue that sends additional members to these experiences who otherwise may not ever get the opportunity to go.”

The NHW is made up of mothers and past members of the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) board of directors, each having a true passion for leadership, education and providing accessible opportunities for youth members who might not have the chance to be involved on their own. As a first-generation Hereford breeder, Mansfield and her husband have been in the industry for a decade now. With their two sons, they knew they wanted to be a part of a breed association that would have a lasting effect on their children. “We see the potential in our youth and giving back is our main mission,” said Mansfield. “We’ve seen the impact events like Faces of Leadership have on the kids and when an association gave its all to you, you want to be able to give back to the next generation just the same.”

In 2023, the NHW started their quest of building an endowment for travel scholarships. These awards will ultimately change the lives of young people in the Hereford breed, while gifting opportunities to be surrounded by like-minded individuals, learning from industry professionals across the country. “Faces of Leadership is a unique experience for kids to not only travel, but to be taught by industry leaders who have seen it all,” said Mansfield. “Developing future leaders for the agricultural industry as a whole is something we know the importance of and want to invest in.”

The NHW has a deep-rooted history with the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) and has worked hard over the years to fund various other scholarships including the National Hereford Queen Scholarship, Bud Snidow, Ostgaard-Breiner and many more. One reason the partnership works so well is both organizations have beliefs that directly align for the benefit of Hereford youth. “Without the support of HYFA, the NHW could simply not do what we do,” said Mansfield. “Building and molding our future leaders is so important. HYFA and the Hereford Season of Giving let us work together to do that.”

The NHW is excited to be a part of this year’s Hereford Season of Giving in hopes to ultimately change the lives of junior members with new opportunities and scholarships that will take them far. “We see the excitement for the breed and the passion that’s behind these kids,” said Mansfield. “Our hope is to guide them to bigger opportunities without the worry of additional costs.”

Join the NHW and HYFA this season as the Hereford family unwraps the gift of leadership and works to fund this new endowment for the future.