JRA Update by Tiffany Watkins - October 2021

JRA Update: Looking Back on Lessons Learned by Tiffany Watkins, JRA President

Join us as we interview a mystery guest about their experiences of being involved in junior programs.

What roles did 4-H and/or FFA play in your leadership development?

4-H and FFA were valuable in my leadership development. It started with 4-H demonstrations, livestock judging and showing steers. Later, I became more active in FFA with numerous activities. I was able to observe many great leaders who got their start in FFA and I wanted to be like them. Parliamentary Procedure, FFA Camp, livestock judging and National FFA Convention were a few of my activities during that time. I served as chapter vice president and later as president. I was fortunate to win the Southern Region Proficiency in Beef Cattle Production and received my American FFA Degree. Without question, my experience in 4-H and FFA laid the foundation for much of my career.

What life skills did you learn through showing or being around animals that have shaped your career?

Growing up raising livestock teaches us valuable skills and pays dividends throughout our life. The knowledge

and dedication necessary to become a “true stockman” that provides stewardship to their animals can build success in all aspects of our life. Even after a lifetime of raising livestock, I still get excited every calf season. Watching the calves grow and develop is really gratifying. It’s even more special to see the consistency of cow families and sire lines through the years.

What were some activities you were involved in during college, and how have those experiences helped you professionally?

During my undergraduate program. I was involved in the meats and livestock judging teams and Block and Bridle Club. The ability to analyze situations, make decisions and justify those decisions are among the most valuable skills I developed in college. In graduate school, I coached the livestock

judging team because I wanted to help others have this experience. Coordinating the activities of an intercollegiate judging team taught me organizational skills as well.

In addition, I was active in Farm- House Fraternity and served as Chapter President. This time was valuable because I learned how to work with people from diverse backgrounds. I became adept at setting goals, effective communication and conflict management. The relationships built during that time are still strong and I’m confident that I could call on them for support at any time.

When you were in college, what skills or attributes do you think made you a good candidate for an internship or job?

● A good attitude

● Showing up on time

● Being humble

● Willingness to learn

● Dedication to doing good work

Describe how you got involved with Red Angus?

I’ve always liked red cattle even during my youth growing up with Simmental. Most of those cattle were gold/tan during that era. I remember looking at an NBI semen catalog and

saw the featured progeny of a Red Angus bull. They were red blazefaced calves from yellow spotted Simmental cows. Interestingly, the calves in the NBI catalog belonged to Pelton Red Angus/Simmental. Many years later, I purchased two open Red Angus heifers from Lynn and Sue Pelton to start my Red Angus journey. It’s a small world.

How did you get involved in service to the Red Angus Association and why?

My involvement with RAAA service started with serving on our state affiliate board and later as president. I participated in the Young Breeders Meeting in Denver which allowed me to meet other breeders and gain more knowledge about the RAAA mission. Later, I attended Young Guns and continued to gain experience

about the association. Several members approached me about RAAA Board service. I told them I was interested but I was too busy at

that time. They persisted and I was elected as a Regional Director in 2011. Later, I served on the Executive Committee and as President. Serving on the RAAA Board has been a great experience and I have grown personally and professionally. It requires a significant time commitment, but it is worth it. Red Angus stakeholders have treated me with acceptance and respect from my first interactions. I wanted to serve because of the people and because I believe in the RAAA mission and wanted to contribute to our success.

What advice would you have given your younger self?

Do not worry when things don’t happen according to your plans. Be patient. Enjoy the journey that lies ahead of you.

What are three reasons you would encourage young people to get involved with the Junior Red Angus Association?

● Gaining industry knowledge

● Developing leadership skills

● Building relationships

That’s some great advice!

Do you have an idea of who was our mystery guest?

Use this link to enter your guess and be eligible to receive a Red Angus logoed gift: https://bit.ly/JRAmystery •