Media Releases

AGJA Board of Directors Elected at 2021 Southern Hospitality Classic

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American Gelbvieh Junior Association board of directors. Front row (left to right): Alexx Starr, Stapleton, Neb.; Madalynn Welsh, Franklin, Neb.; Preston Dunn, St. John, Kan.; Karley Rumfelt, Phillipsburg, Mo.; Rachelle Anderson, Jamestown, Kan.; Cody Forbes, De Smet, S.D. Back row (left to right): Jaycie Forbes, De Smet, S.D.; Lily Judd, Pomona, Kan.; Jaylea Pope, Ravenna, Neb.; Sadie Morris, Batesville, Miss.

Lincoln, Nebraska – The election of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) board of directors was held at the 2021 AGJA Southern Hospitality Classic in Batesville, Mississippi, on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. AGJA members elected five candidates to serve a two-year term.
The AGJA board of directors is comprised of nine AGJA members and one ex-officio member. Directors serve two-year terms and are eligible to serve two full terms. Directors must be 16 years of age and may not have yet reached their 20th birthday as of January 1.
Newly elected board members include Jaycie Forbes, De Smet, South Dakota, daughter of Troy and Pam Forbes; Jaylea Pope, Ravenna, Nebraska, daughter of Jeff and Jeanne Pope; Lily Judd, Pomona, Kansas, daughter of Nick and Ginger Judd; and Sadie Morris, Batesville, Mississippi, daughter of Jason and Susan Morris. Madalynn Welsh, Franklin, Nebraska, daughter of Brian and Gina Welsh, was re-elected to the board for her second term.
The board spends time following the directors’ election to elect an executive committee to serve in leadership positions for the 2021-2022 year. Alexx Starr, Stapleton, Nebraska, daughter of Scott and Raberta Starr, was elected president. Madalynn Welsh was elected to serve as vice president. Preston Dunn, St. John, Kansas, son of Brian and Carolyn Dunn, will serve as the vice president of leadership. Karley Rumfelt, Phillipsburg, Missouri, daughter of Brad and Amy Rumfelt, was elected secretary. Rachelle Anderson, Jamestown, Kansas, daughter of Robert and Charlotte Anderson, was elected treasurer. Cody Forbes, De Smet, South Dakota, son of Troy and Pam Forbes, will serve as ex-officio.
Retiring board members of the 2020-2021 AGJA board of directors included Brooke Nowack, Bland, Missouri, daughter of Jared and Caisie Nowack; Danielle Stock, Waukon, Iowa, daughter of Mark and Stacy Stock; Cade Cameron, Danville, Iowa, son of Greg and Dawn Cameron; and Grace Vehige, Billings, Missouri, daughter of Tom and Stacy Vehige.
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.

Vanderbur Joins AGA as Data Services Coordinator

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Lincoln, Nebraska – The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is excited to welcome Megan (Meg) Vanderbur into the role of data services coordinator. Vanderbur began her role with the Association on June 15 and is excited to serve the membership.
Vanderbur will assist AGA members and customers with DNA testing and registry services. She will also play a role in AGA’s member education efforts.
“My biggest goals coming into this position,” she shares, “is making connections and helping the [AGA] membership as much as I can. Because of my background, and working with breed associations, I have a love for serving members – being able to assist them with their herds and any issues that may arise. I was so excited to find the position opening and felt like I would be a great fit in this role.”
Growing up in Greensburg, Indiana, Vanderbur is no stranger to farming and livestock, however, it wasn’t until she joined 4-H that her family began to focus on building their cow herd. She showed cattle throughout her 10 years in 4-H, and continued showing as a junior on the Indiana Beef Cattle Association circuit.
Following high school, Vanderbur enrolled at Purdue University, where she was an active member of the Block and Bridle Club and pursued internships within animal sciences outreach and breed association work. In December 2020, Vanderbur completed a bachelor of science in animal science, from Purdue University.
“We are fortunate for the opportunity to add Meg to our AGA staff ” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “She brings a well-suited set of talents and experience that make her a great fit for this role where she will work closely with AGA members and customers.”
Vanderbur will work out of the AGA headquarters office in Lincoln, Nebraska, and can be reached at 303-465-2333 or via email at meganv@gelbvieh.org

Heckenlively Joins AGA as 2021 Intern

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Lincoln, Nebraska – The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is pleased to announce the addition of Jadyn Heckenlively of Alma, Nebraska, who will fill the role of 2021 association summer intern. Jadyn will be assisting with many aspects of AGA operations during her internship, including the American Junior Gelbvieh Association (AGJA) junior classic.
When asked why she chose to apply for the AGA internship opportunity, Jadyn shares that she hopes to grow her knowledge of the cattle industry and add to her skillset.
“I’ve always had an interest in breed associations, but this is a sector that I haven’t been exposed to. I’m really hoping to become more knowledgeable about the seedstock industry,” she says. “I’m also hoping that my experience with AGA this summer, will give me direction on where I want to go and what I want to do after college.”
Jadyn currently attends University of Nebraska – Lincoln, where she serves as a student ambassador through the William H. Thompson Scholars Program, and will be of senior standing in the 2021-2022 school year. Jadyn is pursing a degree in agriculture communications.
Her interest in the cattle industry Jadyn attributes to her stepdad and grandpa, who are both involved in ranching, and her involvement in 4-H and FFA.
“Our internship program is focused on giving students a well-rounded experience with all facets of a beef breed association, from member services to the junior program,” says Megan Slater, AGA executive director. “We are excited to have Jadyn joining for us for the summer and assisting in these different areas.”
Jadyn began her internship on May 10, working out of the AGA office in Lincoln, Neb., and will serve in the role through mid-August.
The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.