Scholarships bringing students back to industry

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 September2020 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: What’s your current job and through it how are

you helping further California’s cattle industry?

A: 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: How did the CCA Scholarship Program make a positive impact on your time as a student?

A: 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

(and still does) than I’ll ever be able to put into words. The support I received was often the encouragement I needed to continue to put in the hard work to achieve the goals I set for myself and find my place in this great industry and community.

Q: Having interviewed scholarship recipients last

year, how do you think the program is continuing to provide support to future leaders in California’s beef industry?

A: I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to sit on the other side of the table next to other outstanding California cattle industry members to interview the upcoming leaders of this industry. I genuinely believe the CCA Scholarship Program makes such a positive impact not only through financial means to some amazing students, but it provides moral support and the opportunity to connect brilliant young minds with years of experience. I think we all know creating relationships is one of the most important factors in being successful in the cattle industry, and this scholarship program is a great way to do that for the future leaders of our industry.

Growing up in the California cattle industry, I knew from a very young age, I wanted to make this industry, this lifestyle, my home forever. I went off to the Midwest for school and vowed I would someday make it back out to California to be a part of California’s cattle industry and give back to the community that had given so much to me. Thanks to the CCA Scholarship Program, I have been able to do just that. And that is something I will always be thankful for.

Q: How can ranchers interested in learning more

about the Beef Operations Program at UC Davis reach you?

A: You can often find me at the feedlot! I can always be reached via e-mail mfisher@ucdavis.edu, or my office phone is (530) 752-1200.

Elizabeth Vanherweg, Professional Service Embryologist

CCA Scholarship Recipient, 2016

Q: When did you graduate

and what have you been doing since entering the workforce?

A: I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and started at Trans Ova Genetics immediately as a Professional Services Embryologist (PSE). As a PSE, I traveled with our veterinarian, who does the ovum pick-up (OPU) and conventional flush procedures on cattle. Primarily I was behind the microscope on farms doing the lab work that goes along with the collection procedures.

I also assisted our vet with embryo transfers and pregnancy checks. I mostly traveled throughout California, but I have also spent some time working in Washington, Utah, Montana, Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado and Texas.

Q: What’s your current job and through it how are

you helping further California’s cattle industry?

A: Recently, I transitioned roles within the company, and I now work chiefly in our In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) lab in Turlock performing fertilizations, although I do still get to go on to farms some days. I enjoy interacting with our clients, hearing about their goals and helping them advance and extend superior genetics through the use of IVF and embryo transfer.

Q: How did the CCA Scholarship Program make a positive impact on your time as a student?

A: The CCA scholarship program gave me the support I needed to focus on pursuing my passion for the cattle industry and bovine reproductive technology. I still fondly remember my CCA interview process, and the panel made me feel very welcome and valued as a part of the future of California’s cattle industry.

Q: Anything else you want to add about your career goals related to California’s beef industry?

A: I attended the CCA convention every year I was at Cal Poly and it was a great way to meet and interact with industry professionals and make connections that would further my career goals. I learned about different aspects of the cattle industry through college and CCA, and I was able to find my niche. Young cattlemen’s associations are a vital part of our industry’s future, and I would not be where I am today without the support from my professors, advisors, peers and CCA.

Q: How can ranchers interested in learning more

about Trans Ova Genetics reach you?

A: Anyone interested in learning more about our services can visit our website, https://transova. com or call (712) 722-3596 to talk with our client service representative.

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Nathan A. Yerian, DVM, Associate Veterinarian

CCA Scholarship Recipient, 2016-2019

Q: When did you

graduate from vet school and what is your current job role?

A: I graduated in May 2020 from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. I am currently working as an Associate Veterinarian at Lander Veterinary Clinic in Turlock.

Q: How will this job allow you to help play a role in

furthering California’s cattle industry for years to come?

A: My goal is to be an advocate for animal agriculture and act as a resource for both producers and consumers as we work to ensure the quality, safety and sustainability of our food supply. As an active member of associations, like the American Association of Bovine Practitioners and CCA, I stay up to date on current issues facing the livestock industries and can collaborate with professionals to propose solutions to on-going issues.

As the number of farms continues to decrease, and the average size of herds increases, herd-based approaches to medicine and continually striving for higher standards in terms of animal welfare and farm management will be key in preventing disease and providing a wholesome food supply.

Q: How did the CCA Scholarship Program make a positive impact on your time as a student?

A: CCA has played a major role in contributing to my success and supporting me with scholarships throughout my veterinary education. CCA has supported me with nearly $17,000 over the past four years! This money has contributed to everything from tuition, rent and supplies, to flights across the U.S. for cattle and veterinary related events which have brought about outstanding networking opportunities. I am honored and humbled to have had the support of CCA over the past four years, and I am excited to give back through my career as a livestock veterinarian.

Q: Anything else you want to add about your career goals related to California’s beef industry?

A: I was very active in 4-H and FFA and I am passionate about the positive impact showing livestock has on our youth. I plan to continue raising cattle for young livestock exhibitors, and to contribute time 30 California Cattleman September2020 throughout my career volunteering at livestock shows and encouraging a passion for agriculture and livestock industries. My dreams of becoming a veterinarian started in the barns, and I intend to share my time mentoring students who aspire to join the field of veterinary medicine.

Q: How can cattle ranchers in your area reach out to you moving forward?

A: Feel free to call into the clinic at (209) 634-5801 to get in touch with me. I am also happy to arrange meetings on farms to see animals, go over/create treatment protocols, or discuss management strategies. You can learn more about the products and services we offer at landervet.com. Additionally, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Grace Woodmansee, Siskiyou County Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor

CCA Scholarship Recipient, 2018 and 2019

Q: What degree are

you graduating with this winter and what are your plans after graduation?

A: In December, I will graduate from UC Davis with a master’s degree in horticulture and agronomy. I will begin my job as the University of California Cooperative Extension, Siskiyou County Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor on Jan. 4, 2021.

Q: How will this job allow you to help play a

role in furthering California’s cattle industry for years to come?

A: The sustainable management of California rangelands is closely tied to our economic, ecological and social resilience, and ranchers are an integral part of facilitating this management. California cattle producers are uniquely engaged in rangeland research and policy development and it has been a pleasure to learn from CCA and its members as a student. As a cooperative extension advisor, I look forward to working with ranchers to conduct research that builds resilience at the ranch, community and policy level. I am excited to continue collaborating with CCA to sustain ranches and rangelands for generations to come.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in this

new position?

A: All of my experiences in agriculture have been centered around community, and I believe that a truly special part of this industry is how connected and supportive its members are. As a scientist, I have also seen

how much community contributes to making progress on important, complex issues that impact grazing lands.

I am very excited to join the community of Siskiyou County and to work with ranchers and land managers to identify research priorities, develop projects and address challenges related to livestock production and natural resource management.

Q: How did the CCA Scholarship Program

make a positive impact on your time as a student?

A: I am so grateful for the support I received from the CBCIA Hank Stone Memorial Scholarship and the Livestock Memorial Research Fund as a graduate student—these scholarships were a tremendous support for my graduate education at UC Davis. In addition to supporting my education, CCA scholarships provided me the opportunity to travel to conferences and industry meetings to present my research and network with fellow students, scientists and ranchers. I always gain so much from attending these events, and really value the opportunity to learn about applied research and production from experts who are passionate about ranching and rangeland management. CCA scholarships allowed me to make the most of my graduate education, and I will be forever grateful for the support of the CCA

Q: Anything else you want to add about your

career goals related to California’s beef industry?

A: I am truly humbled by the support I have received from CCA as a student. I look forward to continuing my involvement in CCA as a professional and helping to support the next generation of students entering the California cattle industry. Thank you!

CCA is proud of these past recipients and dozens of others, as they work to further advance ranching and beef production across all segments of the cattle industry.

If you are currently studying agriculture, consider applying for a 2020 CCA Scholarship today to receive assistance towards your education and to join this community of leaders. Or if you are a friend, parent, grandparent or coworker of someone you know studying agriculture, please pass this information along and encourage them to apply too!

The application deadline for this year’s scholarships is Oct. 1, 2020. For a complete list of application requirements and to download the application, visit calcattlemen.org/scholarship. Contact Katie in the CCA office at katier@calcattlemen.org with any questions.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2020 CCA SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BEING ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 1, 2020! In 2019, CCA awarded almost $50,000 in scholarships to students studying agriculture.

CCA Allied Industry Scholarship • CCA Feeder Council Scholarship • Tom Grimmius Memorial Scholarship • Hank Stone Memorial California Beef Cattle Improvement Association Scholarship • Livestock Memorial Research Fund Scholarship Learn more about the 2020 requirements for applying & download the CCA Scholarship application at calcattlemen.org/scholarship.