RETURN ON INVESTMENT Past CCA Scholarship Program Recipients Excel in California’s Cattle Industry by CCA Director Communications Katie Roberti
Every fall, the CCA Scholarship Program invests in students and plays a role in fostering a community for those working towards becoming future leaders in California’s cattle industry. In 2019 alone, CCA awarded almost $50,000 in scholarships, including the CCA Allied Industry Scholarship, the CCA Feeder Council Scholarship, the Tom Grimmius Memorial Scholarship, the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association Hank Stone Memorial Scholarship and the Livestock Memorial Research Fund Scholarship. The road to receiving a CCA scholarship is by no means easy, and the competition continues to be strong year after year. To apply, applicants must have graduated from a California high school or be an out-of-state student currently attending a California college, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four point scale, be a current CCA member and participate in an interview with a panel of industry representatives, among other requirements. Additionally, applicants must be studying a major consistent with their career goals in the beef cattle industry, such as cattle production, genetics, nutrition, trade, law, agricultural communications, agricultural education, marketing, lending, policy, etc. As the 2020 scholarship deadline approaches, hear from a few past recipients about the work they are now doing to advance California’s cattle industry further and how the CCA Scholarship Program helped in achieving their career goals. Marissa Fisher, Beef Operations Manager CCA Scholarship Recipient, 2013-2015
Q
: When did you graduate and what have you been doing since entering the workforce?
A
: I graduated from Texas Tech University with my bachelor’s degree in animal science in May of 2016. In the 28 California Cattleman September 2020
early fall of 2016, I accepted the position of Range Beef Manager with the University of California (UC), Davis, where I managed the commercial cow herd in the foothills of Northern California. I was responsible for day to day operations of the herd with the added components of research and education. I helped shape and carry out research projects, teach labs, host interns and hold industry outreach events. In March of this year, I accepted the promotion to Beef Operations Manager at UC Davis. Since June of 2017, I have been on the board with the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association (CBCIA) and am currently serving as an officer. I am also involved with other private ranching operations and run some cows of my own.
Q A
: What’s your current job and through it how are you helping further California’s cattle industry?
: I oversee both registered and commercial cattle herds, as well as the feedlot and feedmill. Not only do I strive to be the best steward of the land that I can and to provide for the cattle in my care to the best of my ability, but I am blessed with the opportunities to be involved with truly groundbreaking research that will better our industry for years to come. I am also able to influence, educate and provide hands-on experience to our upcoming generations who will someday be the pillars of the California cattle industry. UC Davis also offers a unique program to California ranchers called the Ranch to Rail program. This program provides ranchers the opportunity to receive feed and carcass data on their calves without the risk of retaining ownership. It is a great program that offers detailed cattle performance data to ranchers and provides the opportunity to create and foster relationships.
Q A
: How did the CCA Scholarship Program make a positive impact on your time as a student?
: The CCA Scholarship Program provided me with so much more than just financial assistance during my college career. Knowing that the people I had grown up admiring so much, in the industry I love most, believed in me and saw me as a worthy investment meant more to me
