2016

A Harvest to Remember

As the sun was setting over the grapevines perched in perfect rows on the rolling hills of Sonoma County, Hereford breeders and supporters were raising their paddles and bidding to make a difference. The Harvest II fundraising event benefiting the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) generated $2 million for leadership events and scholarships Aug. 26-27, 2016 at the Kunde Family Winery and Vineyards in Kenwood, Calif. The Harvest II event, hosted by Jim Mickelson, American Hereford Association (AHA) Board of Directors member, and his wife, HYFA Board of Directors member Marcia Mickelson, brought together 185 Hereford enthusiasts from across the United States to Boot Hill on their estate and welcomed dozens of bidders online.

“The Hereford Youth Foundation of America has become an important partner in the future successes of our juniors,” Jim says. “It was with great pleasure and pride that we welcomed Hereford enthusiasts from across the United States to invest in the future of the Hereford breed.” The Harvest II auction grossed $350,000 on 39 lots and was managed by National Cattle Services Inc., Eddie and Ruth Sims.

Endowments for the future

Three new scholarship and leadership endowments were also announced at the Harvest II auction. Rick Malir and Bonnie Coley-Malir, Dublin, Ohio, donated a $500,000 leadership endowment to HYFA. The 10-year gift will fund a lifetime of leadership opportunities for National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members. Additionally, the Malir family announced they are including HYFA as their primary beneficiary and will make a planned estate gift of $1 million for a total contribution of $1.5 million.

Perks Ranch, Rockford, Ill., established a $100,000 scholarship endowment benefitting HYFA and NJHA members. The inaugural $5,000 scholarship will be awarded during the AHA Annual Meeting this fall in Kansas City, Mo., and recognizes Doug Perks dedication to the foundation board of directions and commitment to HYFA reaching five million dollars.

BJ Jones and Sondra Brancel, co-chairmen of this year’s Junior National Hereford Expo — A Hereford Scene in 2016 — donated $100,000 to HYFA and the Growing a Lasting Legacy Campaign. This gift represented the tremendous fundraising effort made by the state of Wisconsin and supporters from across the nation who came together to benefit Hereford youth.

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