Twelve outstanding Hereford juniors serve each year on the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) Board of Directors. Every year four board members are elected to three-year terms at the annual membership meeting which is held in conjunction with the Junior National Hereford Expo. During their term, directors develop and implement programs and events that serve junior Hereford members from across the nation.

To apply:

1. Submit a color photograph of yourself. Photo must be high resolution for printing purposes, 300 DPI or higher.
2. Design copy of 8x10 campaign flyer.
3. Obtain at least four letters of recommendation.
4. Write a 1,000-word essay (type-written, single-space) topic – “My Goal as an NJHA Director.”
5. State advisor must submit an NJHA Director Nomination Form.
6. Application, photo, essay and nomination MUST be submitted electronically through Submittable by June 1.

Requirements following submission:

1. NJHA Candidate Briefing Meeting - June 3 @ 5 p.m. CT
2. NJHA Candidate Interviews* - June 10 @ 5 p.m. CT
3. NJHA Candidate Meet-Up - June 18 @ 5 p.m. CT

*Applicants are not considered official "candidates," until the completion of their NJHA Candidate Interview and approval by NJHA Advisors. Official campaigning cannot begin until approval has been sent by the committee.

CHB Cooking Challenge

Great Hereford chefs of all ages are asked to think outside of the box and channel their inner Pioneer Woman or Gordon Ramsay and create the ultimate NJHA cooking show episode. This contest encourages creativity, communication, knowledge of Certified Hereford Beef’s end product and ultimately having fun. Your creativity is your best friend – all great chefs are creative geniuses and this is your moment to shine. The event is sponsored jointly by Certified Hereford Beef and the National Junior Hereford Association.

This contest is available for all age divisions. 

RULES AVAILABLE HERE

Advanced Speech Contest

The Advanced Speech Contest is designed to encourage interest in promoting the beef industry and projecting Herefords in a positive image through public speaking. The emphasis on the Advanced Speech contest is to develop leaders who can not only speak in a public setting and represent the industry well. The National Hereford Women (NHW) sponsor the contest.

This is an Intermediate and Senior contest ONLY. 

There are no prior requirements to the JNHE other than registering to compete.

RULES AVAILABLE HERE

FUTURE PROFESSIONALS CONTEST

In conjunction with the NJHA’s Bridging the Gap College and Career Fair, the objective of the contest is for NJHA members to create a resume based on factual work, experiences, education, etc., of the junior that can be used for future career and educational purposes. Resumes will be judged prior to the Junior National Hereford Expo each year.

This is an Intermediate and Senior contest ONLY. 

Materials such as a resume and cover letter are due prior to the JNHE. The top senior and intermediate applicants based on their paperwork, will be required to attend the JNHE for a live interview with industry leaders and professionals concurrent with the Bridging the Gap event at the JNHE.

RULES AVAILABLE HERE

ILLUSTRATED SPEECH CONTEST

The purpose of the Illustrated Speech Contest is to encourage public speaking and leadership abilities in youth, to develop character and leadership in Hereford youth and promote interest in the beef industry and project Herefords in a positive image. The National Hereford Women in cooperation with the National Junior Hereford Association sponsor this contest.

This is a Peewee and Junior division contest ONLY. 

There are no prior requirements to the JNHE other than registering to compete.

RULES AVAILABLE HERE

Photo Contest

The purpose of this contest is to help NJHA members increase their photography skills through the creative spirit found through the lens of a camera.

This contest is available for all age divisions. 

RULES AVAILABLE HERE

The National Junior Hereford Association’s (NJHA) annual Faces of Leadership Conference mission is to empower NJHA members with the skills they need to develop into the best leaders they can be. Through the Faces of Leadership Conference young leaders are exposed to opportunities in the industry and the conference cultivates communication skills, encourages working in team settings and focuses on individual development.

This conference is offered to junior members ages 14-21. Intermediate and senior members will benefit the most from Faces of Leadership.

The 2026 Faces of Leadership conference will be held in Boise, Idaho, July 29 - Aug. 1. Juniors must cover the cost/planning of travel to and from the event.

TRAVEL

Flying – All Faces of Leadership attendees are strongly encouraged to schedule their flights to arrive into the Boise Airport (BOI) between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29. The hotel offers a shuttle to the headquarters hotel. Please note that no AHA staff or NJHA Board members will be present at the airport before 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Driving - For drivers, we highly recommend carpooling with other attendees to the conference to lessen the travel cost as well as increase efficiency upon arrival. Please try to arrive by 2:45 p.m. at the latest to ensure enough time to check-in prior to the conference departing for its first event at 3:15 p.m.

Departure - On Saturday, Aug. 1 we encourage all flights to be departing BOI Airport by noon at the latest, and all drivers must have checked out of the conference by the hotel check out time of 10 a.m.

*Cost includes lodging, buses and meals starting with dinner Wednesday evening through breakfast Sunday morning.

EARLYBIRD REGISTRATION | June 15 | $500 

FINAL REGISTRATION | July 1 | $550

LEARN MORE HERE