AJCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Berren Strope, President

At Large • Nebraska • Term expires 2023 402.340.7188 • berrenstrope@oneillschools.org

Maddie Smith, Vice President

At Large • Texas • Term expires 2024 903.904.1598 • msmith9605@gmail.com

Josie Wilkins, Secretary/Treasurer

At Large • Arkansas • Term expires 2025 479.214.1250 • josiebeth1@gmail.com

Shea Whaley, Public Relations

At Large • Iowa • Term expires 2023 515.851.9206 • sheawhaley22@gmail.com

Adrienne Bryant

At Large • Missouri • Term expires 2025 573.489.1614 • starglow44@gmail.com

Jillian Bryant

At Large • Missouri • Term expires 2023 573.489.4732 • jillian.bryant.business@gmail.com

Morgan Baker

At Large • Texas • Term expires 2024 940.329.1774 • morgandockann@gmail.com

Ray Beneker

At Large • Ohio • Term expires 2024 513.907.3985• crbeneker@aol.com

Cole Lehnert

At Large • Tennessee • Term expires 2025 931.279.2149 • colelehnert@gmail.com

Wyatt Shinn

Northeast Region • Indiana • Term expires 2025 765.914.9831 • wyattm2003@gmail.com

Hannah Smith

Southeast Region • NC • Term expires 2023 828.371.8726 • hannah.smith@students. macon.k12.nc.us

Madeline Sonnenfeld

Northwest Region • Nebraska • Term expires 2024 308.832.7215 • madeline.sonnenfeld@gmail.com

One of the Lucky Ones

by Shea Whaley, Public Relations & At Large Director

There is a quote that hangs in my family’s home which says, “Some of us were blessed enough to grow up living on a farm; the luckiest ones still do.” This quote expresses how I feel about the benefits, opportunities and lessons I have received from being raised in the cattle industry and specifically on the Chianina Junior Board.

Hi, my name is Shea Whaley, a sophomore at Iowa State University, where I am studying Agricultural Communications with minors in Marketing & Advertising. I currently serve as your Social Media & Public Relations Officer and an At-Large Director on the AJCA Board of Directors. With this being my third and final year on the board, I wanted to give you all some insight into how much being on the board and being involved in this industry has impacted me!

When I look back on my experiences, more specifically since I began my involvement in the agricultural industry, I can’t help but realize how blessed I am to be a part of something that has such a huge impact on our world population. The life I have been blessed with has led to my passion for agriculture, the role it plays within our society and the impact it has on our population. The lessons I have learned from being involved in the livestock industry have helped me focus on where I wanted to become involved to help advocate for and educate others about agriculture.

Realizing that this way of life was something my parents wanted my brother and I to be a part of, my parents established a small cow-calf Maine-Anjou and Chian- ina-influenced herd. Both of my parents were raised in the country, but their focuses and involvement in production were different; one being more focused in animal production and the other focused on crop production. Fortunately, our family still lives on a large acreage farm where we can learn similar lessons of responsibility, such as how to be good caretakers and stewards of the land and hard work. Little did I know that their experiences growing up in agriculture would lead me to find my passion in the industry, more specifically, the cattle industry. My involvement in FFA, 4-H, Iowa Junior Beef Breeds Association and the National Chianina Junior Board has led to my desire to pair my passions for the agricultural and cattle industries with my future goals and aspirations.

I consider myself lucky to have been blessed to grow up in the cattle industry. The lessons, work ethic, responsibility, persistence and all the opportunities I have experienced are part of this blessing. I would not be where I am today without this industry. It has had a huge impact on me and has helped me develop life-long skills, lasting friendships and, most importantly, connections within the industry. I would not be here if it weren’t for my parents who have supported me since day one, and I am forever grateful for everything they have done for me. I have them to thank for my future and love for the cattle industry!

Thank you for a wonderful three years, and I look forward to seeing you this summer for “The Sweet Life” in Grand Island, Neb., June 19-24!

Kelsey Evans – President

At Large Director • Kentucky 859.553.3059 • kelseyculpevans@gmail.com

Segayle Foster – Vice President

Southwest Region Director • Texas 806.445-2496 • segaylef@yahoo.com

Barb Garrett – Secretary/Treasurer

Northeast Region Director • Indiana 765.969.0921 • barb@barbgarrett.com

Jessica Cheesman

Northeast Region Director • Indiana 765.468.7405 • jessicalcheesman@gmail.com

Marna Higgins

Southeast Region Director • Tennessee 615.273.2656 • higgmarna@aol.com

Amelia Weaver

Southeast Region Director • Tennessee 615.636.3942 • ahiggins0807@gmail.com

Shawnda Foster

Southwest Region Director • Texas 806.652.2383 • shawndafoster@att.net

Bridget Schaefer

Northwest Region Director • North Dakota 701.725.4902

Kaylee Tracy

Northwest Region Director • Nebraska 308.660.7069 • kaylee@tracycattle.com

Becky Sheets

At Large Director • Indiana 765.714.1200 • rsheets462@aol.com

Sue Comer • Scholarship Chair Indiana • 765.874.2228

Royalty Coordinator

Kelsey Evans • 859.553.3059