Looking Back: Meet the RanchHERs of NCBA CattleCon 2024

June Kester
^{Philanthropist & Fifth-Generation RanchHER — Bear Valley Ranch}

June Kester, a fifth-generation cattle RanchHER from California, discusses her work with Mighty Oaks Warriors, a faith-based group that supports United States military veterans and first responders find peace through time spent on a ranch. The program offers a week-long retreat on the ranch, providing activities like horseback riding and mentorship for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). June has helped expand the program from one to eight ranches across the U.S. By the end of the week, everyone is ready to move to California and experience ranch life for themselves! If you or a loved one would enjoy this program, June encourages people to visit www.honorflight.org or https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org for more information or email her directly via email at [email protected].

Brandi Buzzard
^{First-Generation RanchHER, Public Speaker & Ag Influencer}

Meet Brandi Buzzard, a first-generation RanchHER and ag advocate online, who you may have seen on the FarmHER and RanchHER panel at CattleCon! Brandi and her husband started their ranching journey in 2015. They balance ranching with other work commitments while raising two daughters. Brandi’s upbringing taught her independence, and she wants her daughters to have the same mindset. She believes that women can do anything and wants her daughters to feel empowered to tackle challenges. Brandi emphasizes prioritizing and setting boundaries to manage different responsibilities. She shares an analogy of rubber balls (things that can bounce) and glass balls (things that cannot drop) to explain how she handles various tasks. Despite the steep learning curve of ranching, Brandi continues to learn and grow in the industry. Her story reflects the resilience and determination required in agriculture.

Erin Perkins
^{First-Generation RanchHER — Easton Station Farms}

Meet Erin Perkins, a first-generation RanchHER from Greenwich, New York. Her journey from inheriting a derelict dairy farm to building a successful ranch from the ground up is truly inspiring. Despite the challenges, Erin’s “why” has always been her two boys, whom she wants to be involved in the farm and give them experiences she didn’t have. She’s also involved in programs like NCBA Trailblazers and started a Junior Beef Ambassador Program to educate the next generation about the industry. Erin’s insights from the NCBA Convention hint at exciting opportunities ahead for ranchers. Cheers to the hardworking RanchHERs like Erin who are shaping the future of farming and ranching!

Macey Hurst
^{Marketing Account Executive & Part-Time RanchHER – Lady Livestock Co.}

Macey Hurst, a Missouri RanchHER and agriculture marketing account executive is a seasoned professional in many facets of the agriculture industry. At NCBA CattleCon, she shared her journey from growing up on a cow-calf operation to founding Lady Livestock Company with her mom and sister. Macey emphasized the challenges and rewards of working with family and encouraged women to seize opportunities and not let gender hinder their success in agriculture. Macey’s advice is to say yes to opportunities, seek internships, and leverage unique skills as women in the workforce. Her message is to empower and encourage women to excel in any field they choose.

Sydney Bagony
^{First-Generation Ag Advocate & Infulencer}

Sydney Bagony, a first-generation agricultural advocate from Sumter County, Florida, discusses her involvement in the industry with Kirbe Schnoor at NCBA. She emphasizes the value of networking and mentorship for young females entering agriculture. Sydney encourages individuals to “lift where you stand” and use their unique skill sets to advocate for the industry. She also highlights the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in shaping the future of agriculture. Kirbe acknowledges the significance of women taking on various roles in the industry and expresses gratitude for Sydney’s advocacy efforts.

Jaclyn Wilson
^{Fifth-Generation RanchHER — Flying Diamond Ranch}

Jaclyn Wilson, a fifth-generation cow-calf producer from Western Nebraska, discussed her involvement in the cattle industry and her passion for advocacy and policy development. She emphasized the importance of young women taking on leadership roles in the industry. Jaclyn’s ranch made history by tokenizing a group of feedlot steers and selling them as NFTs, a pilot project that attracted global attention. Looking ahead to 2024, she expressed hope for positive developments in her operation and her upcoming role as a New Field Scholar, focusing on animal health and well-being internationally. She also highlighted the support of men in encouraging women to take on leadership roles in agriculture.

Ali Fender
^{Trailblazer & RanchHER – Flying ‘F’ Ranch}

Ali Fender from Flying F Ranch received the Trailblazer Award for her advocacy in the beef industry through the Beef Checkoff-funded program. The year-long program provided mentoring and opportunities to share positive industry stories. She was encouraged to apply by Chandler Mulvaney at a conference and friends at the California Beef Council. Flying F Ranch, started by Ali and her husband in 2014, focused on direct-to-consumer beef sales and registered Black Angus. Their motto, “We give a ‘Flying F’ about beef,” reflects their commitment to high-quality beef and has been effective in connecting with customers and fellow ranchers. Ali’s story and motto were shared at the NCBA CattleCon.

Anna Kobza
^{University of Nebraska Ph.D. student & Industry Advocate}

Meet Anna Kobza, a dedicated Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska with a passion for the beef industry. From showing cattle in high school to pursuing advanced studies, her journey is truly inspiring. Join us in welcoming Anna and learn more about her love for the industry and her important work in feedlot nutrition.

Jessica Burkham
^{Part-Time RanchHER & Managing Director of the Beef Alliance}

Earlier this year at NCBA CattleCon, FarmHER host Kirbe Schnoor caught up with Jessica Burkham, managing director of the Beef Alliance, which consists of nine major cattle-feeding companies across the U.S. Jessica grew up on a cow-calf operation in Nebraska and studied animal science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. After interning in Washington, D.C., she worked on agricultural policies with senators from Nebraska. Jessica and her husband now live in Central Arkansas and are involved in building their own cattle operation. She is enthusiastic about younger generations returning to ranching and farming. As a first-generation cattle producer building a ranch of her own, she values bringing new perspectives into the industry. Jessica emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the cattle business.

Kerryann Kocher
^{CEO of Vytelle}

Kerryann Kocher from Vytelle, a precision livestock company, discusses driving genetic progress in cattle for sustainable meat and milk production. Vytelle uses precision tools to identify elite animals and employs IVF technology for faster reproduction. Precision livestock is crucial for making accurate decisions to meet consumer demands, and Vytelle’s Sense Technologies simplifies this process by helping producers easily identify elite cattle right inside their pens. The focus is on improving feed efficiency and revenue while meeting consumer demand for a better eating experience. Kocher sees genetics as a core solution for the future of agriculture. Producers can connect with Vytelle through their website www.Vytelle.com or via social media.

Quincy Atwood
^{Operations & Employee Benefits Manager for Specialty Risk Insurance}

This year at NCBA CattleCon, FarmHer host Kirbe Schnoor got a chance to chat with Quincy Atwood, one of the RanchHERs who participated in our panel! As you can hear first-hand, Quincy’s journey back into the agriculture industry has become a vital part of her life — and it is nothing short of inspiring! From working in insurance to protecting and promoting the ag industry, she finds joy raising her family within this community – a great group of gals who love gettin’ their hands dirty!

Dr. Marilyn Corbin
^{Area Business Manager at Zoetis}

Dr. Marilyn Corbin of Zoetis has an impressive background in the livestock industry, with education from South Dakota State, University of Minnesota, and West Texas A&M. She also holds a PhD from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Corbin has been with Zoetis for eleven years and supports the feed industry. Outside of work, she ranches in Northwest Nebraska. She values the connection with producers and sees the younger generation bringing innovation to the beef industry. She believes in the industry’s solid position due to consumer demand for beef and anticipates significant advancements in technology and innovation in the next 20 years. Dr. Corbin appreciates the opportunity to do what she loves every day and is inspired by the people in the industry.

Kate Hill
^{Manager of Field Sales Effectiveness at Merck Animal Health}

Meet RanchHER Kate Hill, who now works in sales at Merck Animal Health after a successful career in Rodeo. She discusses her background in the industry with FarmHER TV Host Kirbe Schnoor, including her family’s long history in ranching and her diverse experiences in different facets of the Western sports and agriculture industry. She highlights how these experiences have prepared her for her current role and the importance of customer focus at Merck, as well as advocating for the industry. As a woman of many accomplishments, she encourages other women to get involved and make their voices heard.

Cheramie Viator
^{Marketing Manager at Westway Feed Products}

Meet Cheramie Viator, Marketing Manager for Westway Feed Products, one of the largest liquid feed companies in the U.S. They provide molasses-based products and livestock supplements, with 30 production plants across the country. When we spoke to her at CattleCon, she emphasized her company’s focus on networking at NCBA and learning about producers’ programs to serve as a nutrition resource. She also shared her personal experience working on large ranches and adapting to different operations. Viator highlights the importance of evolving with technology and mentions the value of having team members with a ranching background, such as their Digital Media Coordinator, Emily Schroder. Viator emphasizes the significance of marrying ranching and digital media backgrounds to better relate to customers’ needs. The conversation ends with a note on the presence of women in the industry and Viator’s enthusiasm for being part of the beef industry.

Ashley Bauer
^{Marketing Manager at Endovac Animal Health & former Rodeo Queen}

Ashley Bauer, a former Rodeo Queen, transitioned into the animal health industry due to the impact of COVID-19 on rodeo events. She is a first-generation cattlewoman with her own small herd and works for Endovac Animal Health, a manufacturer of gram-negative bacterial vaccines for cattle. Her experience as a cattlewoman has informed her marketing approach at Endovac, ensuring that products meet the needs of cattle producers. Ashley also highlights the interconnectedness and familial nature of the animal health and rodeo industries. As a first-generation cattlewoman, she appreciates the support and knowledge-sharing within the industry and is excited about the future of the cattle business.

Emilie Schroder

^{Digital Market Coordinator at Westway Feed Products}

Meet Emilie Schroder, the Digital Marketing Coordinator at Westway Feed Products, who works side-by-side with Cheramie Viator (above). With a cattle background and a degree in graphic design, she brings creativity to the Western industry. At NCBA, she’s inspired by the industry’s creativity and the opportunity to tell their story through social media. Keep up the great work, Emilie!

Traci Rodemeyer
^{Brand Marketing & Communications at Case IH}

Traci Rodemeyer, a representative from Case IH, discusses her unique journey into agriculture and offers advice for those interested in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of being open-minded about career paths and encourages asking questions, highlighting the industry’s willingness to share knowledge. Traci also praises Case IH’s commitment to supporting and educating the next generation of farmers and industry professionals. She expresses her passion for working in an essential industry that feeds the world.

Dr. Megan Webb
^{Part-Time RanchHER & Dean of Advancement & Innovation at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College}

Dr. Megan Webb is a sixth-generation farmer born and raised in Burlington, West Virginia. Besides helping operate her family’s vertically integrated beef cattle business and supporting agricultural workforce development programs as the Dean of Advancement & Continuing Education at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College. In her interview with FarmHER TV Host Kirbe Schnoor, Dr. Webb emphasizes the importance of innovation in the beef cattle industry, highlighting the evolving technologies and opportunities for advancement. Dr. Webb encourages women in farming and ranching to work together, build strong networks, and embrace their strengths while seeking support for their weaknesses. This, she believes, is vital for success in the industry. Her passion for the cattle and beef industry is evident, and her dedication to education and collaboration is truly inspiring.

Kaylene Ballesteros
^{Hay & Forage Go-To-Market Manager at John Deere}

RanchHer TV host Janie Johnson got a chance to catch up with RanchHER Kaylene Ballesteros, John Deere’s Hay & Forage Go-To-Market Manager, right on the convention floor at NCBA CattleCon! From baler automation to telling the world about the amazing work of FarmHers and RanchHers, Kaylene shared with us some of the latest & greatest technology coming from John Deere as well as their continued commitment to the ag community. For them, harnessing new technology is all about making life easier for operators.