Oral Reasons Contest

The purpose of the Oral Reasons Contest is to help youth learn how to evaluate cattle and efficiently speak to the decisions they make when judging cattle, as well as further develop their speaking and sales skills. The contest will be held in conjunction with the Junior National Hereford Expo. 

NOTE: The Senior Oral Reasons scores will not be counted towards individual or team awards in the Judging Contest. This contest is separate and not required for any senior judging competitors.

This is an Senior contest ONLY. 

There are no prior requirements to the JNHE other than registering to compete in both the Oral Reasons Contest and the JNHE Judging Contest.

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

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

 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

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

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 12 @ 5 p.m. CT
3. NJHA Candidate Meet-Up - June 24 @ 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.

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.

2025 CONFERENCE

The Faces of Leadership conference will be held in Gray Summitt, Mo., July 30 - Aug. 2. Juniors must cover the cost/planning of travel to and from the event.

COST

$425 early bird pricing is available until June 15.
Starting June 16, registration will be $500.

Final registration closes July 1.

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

TRAVEL

Flying – Due to logistics and the location of the conference hotel, ALL Faces of Leadership attendees are strongly encouraged to book flights into St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) between 10 a.m. and at the latest 1:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 30. There is no shuttle from the airport to the hotel and there will be no AHA or NJHA Board on site at DFW prior to 10 a.m. that morning. Airport pickups will be orchestrated by AHA and an external shuttle service and will happen according to airport arrival times.

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. to ensure enough time to check-in prior to the conference departing for its first event at 3:15 p.m. The hotel headquarters is theHoliday Inn, St. Louis West at Six Flags by IHG.