AG SC E N E
Arkansas Ag Scene Regional Credit Analyst Clayton Whittmore of the Green Forest branch office is a great example of how Western Arkansas employees are engaged in agriculture. Clayton and wife Kristin serve as advisors for the Arkansas Junior Simmental Association and were actively involved in helping the group host the South Central Regional Simmental show in Fayetteville in mid-June. The Arkansas group last hosted this show in 2012 under the Whittmore’s leadership, as well. The four-day event drew 112 youth and 192 head of cattle from 12 states. Clayton and Kristin were responsible for raising the $40,000 it took to host the event, which has become known for quality prizes. The Junior Simmental Association is unique in that it places an emphasis on participant education. Members are expected to demonstrate knowledge beyond the show ring. There are five competitions and a participant’s top four scores count toward overall standings. • Sales Talk – mock sell cattle to two judges, detailing their animal’s best qualities • Public Speaking – extemporaneous speech on beef topics • Cattlemen’s & Genetics quizzes – beef industry and cattle genetics knowledge • Livestock Judging – juniors give one set of reasons, seniors give two • Showmanship & Cattle Show – present their animal in the show ring
Clayton and Kristin Whittmore are active Arkansas Junior Simmental Association advisors and Carroll County 4-H Beef Club leaders.
“The educational contest is the biggest take-away for youth,” Clayton explains. “It truly prepares them for life. The quizzes help them learn more about cattle, how to breed better cattle and makes them more knowledgeable about the beef industry so they can be an advocate. Public speaking, judging and sales talk gives them an excellent opportunity to get in front of judges and be able to communicate with adults and their peers. No matter what they do in life, it gives them the skills to be able to communicate and to be a leader.” Kylee Sigmon of Berryville has been active in the AJSA since 2009 and says the educational component has benefitted her personally and is influencing her career path. “I know the public speaking and sales talk experience has given me confidence,” says Kylee who is also a 2016 National Beef Ambassador. “I’m pursuing an ag business and ag communications degree because of my AJSA experience.”
14
“We have kids of all ages in our group,” Kristin shares. “The association offers something for kids of all ages. Clayton and I have children ages five and one. I’ve seen our five-year-old grow so much over the last year. She’s competing in sales talk and all the contests that the older kids are doing, just at a lower level. When I look at other kids her age, there’s no
