LINCOLN, Neb. – Congratulations to Justine Pope of Ravenna, Nebraska, daughter of Jeff and Jeanne Pope, for being chosen to represent the American Gelbvieh Junior Association as the ambassador for the 2023-2024 year.

Justine is a six-year member of the AGJA, and a junior at Shelton Public Schools in Shelton, Nebraska. In addition to her new role as AGJA Ambassador, she is actively involved in 4-H, FFA, school sports, dance and several competitive teams. Pope has served in various leadership positions within her respective associations/organizations attending numerous events related to career development, leadership, skill building and much more.

“While showing at Junior Nationals, I also competed in all the contests throughout the week. From quiz bowl to giving speeches on Gelbvieh-related topics, I have gained much more knowledge about the breed and associations. Aside from competing at Junior Nationals and showing Gelbvieh cattle, I have also begun to raise a small herd of my own. Most of my cattle are shown and once they have completed their show career, I return them to the herd to create more high-quality offspring. I sell my bulls privately and if I choose not to show one of my heifers, they are retained as breeding stock. Within this growing involvement and background, I have gained many beneficial experiences. This year, I have had the opportunity to serve on our state junior board as the treasurer. This position has helped me be more involved with other junior members in my state as well as Gelbvieh breeds,” Pope said.

The AGJA created the Ambassador program to encourage and support youth development in the breed’s activities. The ambassador will represent the AGJA at Gelbvieh functions throughout the year, including shows at the local, regional, state and national levels. We wish Justine the best of luck in her new role as the 2023-2024 AGJA Ambassador.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association is the junior division of the American Gelbvieh Association. The AGJA provides members up to 21 years of age the opportunity to participate in youth activities.

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Justine Pope, 2023-2024 Ambassador

LINCOLN, Neb. – Congratulations to Jaycie Forbes, daughter of Troy and Pam Forbes, of De Smet, South Dakota, on being named the 2023 American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) Junior Breeder of the Year.

Jaycie’s family owns and operates Forbes Ranch near Willow Lake, South Dakota, where Jaycie, alongside her brothers, Wyatt and Cody, strive to improve their herd’s genetics and promote the breed year-round. Jaycie is an integral part of her family’s operation assisting on the weekends, making breeding decisions, checking pastures, and ensuring records are accurate all while attending South Dakota State University where she is majoring in agricultural education and communication.

Forbes Ranch has done an excellent job marketing sale cattle over the last several years. Thanks to Jaycie and her marketing talents, their sales have expanded to several new states and introduced numerous new juniors to the AGJA program through their shared passion, communication and willingness to lend a helping hand.

Jaycie recently completed her second year on the AGJA board of directors, serving previously as a director and stepping into the role as president in her second year.

“Serving on the junior board can be a trying task, especially as president. Eyes are always on you – from the young junior membership, parents and the team you aim to lead. There is an immense amount of pressure to do good, be better and set an example. Jaycie is level-headed, a listener, a team player and frankly, a fierce competitor. She juggles her roles as leader, friend, sister, daughter, etc. with ease. Through every situation, Jaycie remains committed to the improvement of the AGJA and the Gelbvieh breed,” stated a close friend and AGJA alum.

Over the years, she has played a vital role in the association’s progression toward an inclusive and progressive environment. Her proactive approach to association needs provided guidance not only for her fellow directors but the membership of the AGJA in its first two years under the new 2022-2027 AGJA Strategic Plan.

When the selection committee was asked what made Jaycie stand out, they quickly responded with her attention to detail, ability to advocate for the breed as well as the industry, enthusiasm for breed marketing and forward-thinking ideas to improve the Gelbvieh breed’s relevance to the commercial producer.

Jaycie is a visionary and leads the AGJA with a humble, yet structured approach to change as it related to the association and its membership experience. Jaycie truly encompasses what this award was designed to promote, and we look forward to watching her in her role as the 2023-2024 AGJA President.

Now in its second year, the AGJA Junior Breeder of the Year was developed by the AGJA board of directors in the hopes to serve the tradition of awarding its members who work tirelessly on their herd’s genetics, educating others about the breed, and taking ownership of their skills and knowledge as it pertains to the relevance to the industry. The idea behind the award is to retain the opportunity to recognize a junior member who goes above and beyond the call of duty regarding the Gelbvieh breed, their family’s operation, education of the breed, as well as exemplifying good character and leadership skills amongst their peers.

Looking forward to the future, the AGJA hopes to continue providing an atmosphere of inclusion, leadership, professional development and opportunity to all youth. Congratulations to Jaycie Forbes on being named the 2023 recipient of this award.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association is the junior division of the American Gelbvieh Association. The AGJA provides members up to 21 years of age the opportunity to participate in youth activities. 

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Jaycie Forbes, 2023 AGJA Junior Breeder of the Year

LINCOLN, Neb. – The future of the Gelbvieh breed looks brighter each and every year. This year, eight scholarships were awarded totaling $5,500 at the 2023 AGJA Great Dakota Classic Awards Banquet held in Huron, South Dakota, on Friday, July 7, 2023.

Jaylea Pope, daughter of Jeff and Jeanne Pope of Ravenna, Nebraska, was awarded the $1,000 Earl Buss Memorial Scholarship. Pope is currently attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln majoring in Agricultural Education and Animal Science. Pope has excelled over the years in the areas of leadership and citizenship through 4-H, FFA and several other organizations including the AGJA. Pope is also serving her third year on the AGJA board of directors.

Jaycie Forbes, daughter of Troy and Pam Forbes of De Smet, South Dakota, was awarded the $1,000 Leness Hall Memorial Scholarship. Majoring in Agricultural Communications at South Dakota State University with a 3.5 GPA, Forbes continues to dedicate her time to the AGJA as president in her third year on the board of directors. Actively involved in 4-H, FFA and her community, Forbes continues to give back to the Gelbvieh breed. Forbes was recently named the 2023 AGJA Junior Breeder of the Year.

Lily Judd, daughter of Nick and Ginger Judd of Pomona, Kansas, was awarded the $500 Rea Memorial scholarship. A hopeful sales manager for her home operation of Judd Ranch, Judd attends Butler Community College majoring in Livestock Management and Merchandising. A longtime member of the 4-H and FFA, Judd also actively participated in multiple sports, National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa in high school. Judd hopes to continue her education at a four-year institution majoring in Livestock Merchandising following her final year at Butler.

Madalynn Welsh, daughter of Brian and Gina Welsh of Franklin, Nebraska, was awarded a $750 AGJA scholarship. A junior at Auburn University, Welsh continues to strive for excellence as a member of the Auburn University Cattlemen’s Association, as well as the Auburn Biotechnology Society. Majoring in Applied Biotechnology. A hopeful fertility specialist, Welsh found an interest in the Gelbvieh breed through involvement at a young age thanks to the support shown by her family and friends over the years.

Gentry Warner, daughter of Dan and Kate Warner and the late Kasey Jo Warner of Arapahoe, Nebraska, was awarded a $750 AGJA scholarship. Embarking on her freshman year as an Agricultural Education major at Kansas State University, Gentry was active in multiple organizations over the years including 4-H, FFA, FCCLA, sports and journalism. Warner hopes to continue helping her family operation while teaching agriculture to the next generation in an effort to keep the agricultural community at the forefront of young students.

Rachelle Anderson, daughter of Robert and Charlotte Anderson of Jamestown, Kansas, received the $500 AGJA scholarship. A senior at Kansas State University majoring in Animal Science with a focus on production management and minoring in business and youth childhood development, Anderson hopes to give back to the agriculture community through the continuation of improved Gelbvieh genetics and working with youth involved in the beef sector.

Jayden Carrier, daughter of LeAnna Maude and the late Aaron Carrier of Hermosa, South Dakota, was awarded the $500 Patti Kendrick Memorial Scholarship. Carrier attends Casper Community College in Casper, Wyoming, majoring in Forensic Science and working toward a Paralegal certificate. Carrier was recently named a finalist for the 2023 AGJA Junior Breeder of the Year award. A 3.8 GPA student, Carrier was actively involved in shooting sports, youth group, theatre and the Hill City Student Council.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association is the junior division of the American Gelbvieh Association. The AGJA provides members up to 21 years of age the opportunity to participate in youth activities. 

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From left to right: Jaycie Forbes, De Smet, S.D.; Gentry Warner, Arapahoe, Neb.; Jaylea Pope, Ravenna, Neb.; Madalyn Welsh, Franklin, Neb.; Lily Judd, Pomona, Kan.; and Rachelle Anderson, Jamestown, Kan. Not pictured: Jayden Carrier, Hermosa, S.D.