The Cottonwood Springs Farm Global Education and Leadership Endowment was created with the intent of supporting the Young Breeders Competition (YBC) held in conjunction with the World Hereford Conference (WHC) every four years in different locations around the world. The leadership endowment also includes funds set aside for a new global grants program that will allow NJHA and AHA members ages 18-26 to travel internationally as part of a global agricultural education effort to build a pipeline of leaders in the Hereford industry.

In 2027, one young leader will be selected to travel to Australia through the Global Leadership Travel Scholarship. The experience will include attendance at BEEF Australia and the Herefords Australia National Show & Sale, offering an opportunity to learn about Australian beef production, connect with international breeders and gain a broader understanding of the global cattle industry.

Proposed Travel Dates — May 1-22, 2027

Proposed Route — United States → Brisbane → Rockhampton → Queensland Coast → Albury → Mawarra Genetics/Longford → Wodonga → Victoria/Mawarra → Melbourne → Sydney → United States

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Applicant must be 18-26 years of age at the time of Jan. 1, 2027.
2. Applicant must be a NJHA or AHA member in good standing.
3. Applicant must have or have the capabilities of obtaining a passport in time for the trip.
4. Applicant must be committed to serving as a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and respected ambassador for the American Hereford industry on a global stage.

PROCESS:

1. Submit online application by the deadline of December 15, 2026.
2. Applicant must submit a 300 dpi color photo to use for press purposes.
3. After applications are received and reviewed, the top applicants will be notified of the next steps in the selection process and if the selection committee deems interviews necessary.
4. Winners will be notified following the application deadline. Recipients will be announced in January with travel plans being made following the announcement. 

This elite leadership opportunity held in Desdemona, Texas, April 8-11, 2027, at GKB's Hi Point Ranch is open to ages 18-21. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2027, and those who are chosen to attend will be notified shortly after. Travel to and from the conference is the responsibility of the attendee, however, thanks to the GKB Cattle Youth Endowment, the conference, lodging and food are covered by acceptance into the program.

APPLICATION:

• Applicants must be between the ages of 18-21 at time of attendance, or have special permission from the youth activities and foundation staff.
• The BOLD Leadership Conference is limited to one-time attendance. Previous attendees are ineligible to apply.
• A complete application must be submitted, including all supporting materials in order to be considered for attendance.

This elite experience is dedicated to the leadership and personal growth of all juniors accepted into the 2027 BOLD Leadership Class.

The National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) takes great pride in providing exceptional learning opportunities that offer real-world application. Past interns have continued to work for the American Hereford Association (AHA) and others have gone on to be industry leaders.

AHA YOUTH ACTIVITIES & FOUNDATION - SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM

The American Hereford Association (AHA) will be hiring one-two youth activities interns for the summer of 2027. The purpose of the internship is to provide a multi-faceted learning experience for a college student interested in beef breed association work, public relations and leadership. Also, to provide the AHA with assistance in event planning and management, junior show coverage and leading the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Board of Directors and membership.

The 2027 Summer Internship Program will be from approximately mid-May through mid-August, depending on student’s academic schedule. If you are interested in the JNHE Ambassador Program—a mini-internship offered during the weeks of the JNHE— applications for those will be available in the spring.

Major responsibilities include:

• Assist the youth department of the American Hereford Association with various summer activities including planning for the Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE) and Faces of Leadership conference. The JNHE is one of the largest junior breed events in the world, showcasing more than 1,300 head of Hereford cattle and 800 junior members.
• In addition to the cattle shows, the JNHE offers more than 20 skill-based contests throughout the week and the intern plays a key role in assisting with the contests and making sure that they run efficiently and effectively both before and during the event. 
• The intern works closely with the 12-member junior board as well as the JNHE Ambassador team throughout the summer. There will be significant travel involved as well as work on weekends and at other times as assigned.

Guidelines:

The youth activities internship requires excellent written and oral communication skills, as one will be expected to write letters, e-mail correspondence, answer phone calls and communicate on a daily basis with junior exhibitors, parents and state association leadership. Experience and familiarity with conducting shows is a plus, however, applicant must feel comfortable at shows and have basic knowledge of how a show operates. Event planning, photography and writing experience is an added bonus as well as the ability to react independently. Applicant must be able to help the youth department in various capacities with little formal training. Individual must be a self-starter with organizational skills to assist with the event planning responsibilities.

Applications for both the summer intern program will be due Jan. 15, 2027, with finalists being contacted for interviews at the beginning of February.

HYFA Gives Back to the Grassroots

State Leadership and Education Grants Available

The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) is excited to continue offering state leadership and education grants to state associations. These grassroot grants are available to all state junior associations based on application and will help us work together as we build the pipeline of leaders at the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA). 

HYFA and NJHA appreciate all of the state associations that help make the NJHA one of the best beef youth organizations in the world. Grant funding is to be used for any leadership or educational goals of the state’s junior members to participate on the national level. Grant applications are available through the Submittable platform and due Feb. 1, 2027.

Acceptable uses for the grant funding include: 

• Leadership and Educational Activities at the state level 
• Travel funding to the BOLD Leadership Conference 
• Travel and registration funding for the Faces of Leadership Conference
• Travel funding for the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Field Day 
• Or other Leadership/Educational opportunities benefitting NJHA members as explained in the application.

State advisors please take this opportunity to fill out the grant application to be eligible for these leadership and educational funds provided by HYFA.