Red Cows, White Lights & Blue Grass - Fall 2021

The five days in Kentucky and Tennessee were packed with both education and fun! Site visits highlighted the key commodities of the region’s agriculture as well as industry partners that assist in advancing agriculture. Team challenges and individual contests showcased participants’ knowledge of cattle production and evaluation. The JRA annual meeting provided an opportunity to guide continuous improvement for the organization, and members elected the 2021-2022 board of directors. The entire experience provided 60 participants from 14 different states with a chance to create friendships and lifetime memories.

TOP HAND AWARD

Morgan Marlett, Laurens, South Carolina, claimed the JRA Round-Up Top Hand Award. JRA Director Andrea Rutledge, left, Big Sandy, Montana, presented the award to Morgan.

YOUNG GUN AWARD

Tessa McGibbon, Green Valley, Arizona, was awarded the JRA Round-Up Young Gun Award. At right, Rutledge presented Tessa with her award.

COMMERCIAL CATTLEMAN SCHOLARSHIP

Jacynta Bomgardner, Loma, Montana, was named the winner of the JRA Round-Up Commercial Cattleman Scholarship. JRA Directors Rutledge, left, and Mia Gibson, right, Elgin, Iowa, presented the award.

HEATHER PRESSER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Taryn Cox, Walla Walla, Washington, won the Heather Presser Memorial Scholarship at this year’s JRA Round-Up. Rutledge, left, and Gibson, right, presented Taryn with her award.

STOCKMAN’S KNOWLEDGE CONTEST

JRA Directors Izzy McGibbon, left, Green Valley, Arizona; and Tiffany Watkins, right, Dade City, Florida, presented awards to Whitley Frost, Esbon, Kansas, junior reserve champion; Wes Meyer, Anamosa, Iowa, junior champion; Bailey Smith, Shiner, Texas, intermediate reserve champion; Natalie Evan, Jacksonville, Illinois, intermediate champion; Mitchell VanderWal, Brentford, South Dakota, senior reserve champion; and Ethan Dickerson, Paradise, Kansas, senior champion.

CHAMPION TEAM

From left are Paige Fitzgerald, Bloomington, Illinois; Dalia Weber, Rock City, Illinois; Greysen VanWye, Lancaster, Missouri; Jacynta Bomgardner; Randi Anderson, Clarion, Iowa; Jenna Cox, Walla Walla, Washington; Morgan Marlett; and Kenneth Fruszie, Chinook, Montana. Gibson, right, presented the award.

THANKS TO THE 2020-2021 JRA DIRECTORS!

We extend a special thanks to the 2020-2021 JRA board of directors! From left are Peyton Nagel, Alhambra, Illinois; Andrea Rutledge; Izzy McGibbon; Tiffany Watkins; Mia Gibson; and Isaac Berg.

MEAT ANIMAL EVALUATION CONTEST

From left, McGibbon presented awards to Bruce Calteaux, Winona, Minnesota, junior reserve champion; Wes Meyer, junior champion; Natalie Evan, intermediate reserve champion; Bailey Smith, intermediate champion; Kenzie Mork, Sanders, Montana; senior reserve champion; and Ethan Dickerson, senior champion. JRA Director Isaac Berg, Pipestone, Minnesota, also helped with the presentation.

ROUND-UP MEMBER SCHOLARSHIPS

From left, Rutledge presented JRA Round-Up Member Scholarships to Whitley Frost and Morgan Marlett. Gibson, right, helped to present the awards.