The NJAA is the largest junior beef-breed organization in the world. Most of the thousands of active national juniors members also belong to one of nearly 40 local, state and regional junior Angus associations throughout the country. These groups have meetings, sponsor shows and field days and take an active part in the Angus business and breed promotion.

The Junior Activities Department was established in 1956 to encourage young people with beef cattle projects. Today the department includes many programs and services to help juniors develop their skills and leadership potential. It exposes them to a broad cross-section of the Angus business.

You can join this exciting organization and take advantage of its programs if you are under 21 years of age. Members of the NJAA pay an annual membership fee, which entitles them to active junior membership status. An application is included in this brochure.

Within the NJAA, there are many paths from which to choose and learn. Here are the major NJAA programs that can help you begin your road to success.

Probably the most popular NJAA activity is showing Angus cattle. Showing at a fair or even the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is thrilling. The showring gives you a chance to develop your showmanship skills, to become a better competitor and even a better evaluator of cattle. However, experience from this event goes far beyond the showring. Showing enables Angus youth to meet one another, exchange ideas and form lasting relationships.

Junior Angus members can exhibit their cattle at many American Angus Association sponsored events. Members can show locally, regionally and nationally.

The American Angus Association sponsors the annual NJAS. Started in 1969, it is the largest single-breed beef cattle show in the world. There are classes for bred-and-owned heifers, bred-and-owned bulls, owned heifers (for heifers owned, but not bred by the exhibitor), cow-calf pairs and steers. The NJAS is held in July at a different location each year.

In addition to the NJAS, the American Angus Association cosponsors regional shows and several regional preview shows each year. Every junior member has access to an American Angus Association show, even if the NJAS is too far away to attend.

When showing, it's important to display your cattle to their best potential and for you to exhibit good sportsmanship. Like anything else, practice makes perfect when it comes to showing cattle. The National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest gives contestants a chance to showcase their expertise and to compete for the coveted title of "Top Showman."

In 1967, the American Angus Association was the first beef-breed organization to sponsor a National Junior Showmanship Contest. To be eligible to compete in this event, participants must qualify at the state level.

You won't always win with your Angus heifer, bull or steer, but you can develop showmanship skills. By participating in local showmanship contests, you can further your showmanship ability and compete against others in your age division.

A junior member does not have to exhibit cattle at the NJAS to attend and be a part of the fun and competition.

Members can demonstrate their skills in a wide variety of contests. Speech contest, team sales competition and many other opportunities await Angus youth at the NJAS. All contests are divided into age divisions. The show also offers contests for state groups, such as scrapbook and herdsmanship.

The American Angus Auxiliary Certified Angus Beef Cook-Off, held annually during the NJAS, gives juniors the opportunity to spread the laurels of beef while preparing a delicious dish. Cook-Off teams prepare a tasty beef recipe while performing an entertaining skit.

The NJAS isn't the only place to participate. Members can contact the Junior Activities Department for information on the computer cow-calf game and other programs. These programs give members a chance to learn about performance records, EPDs and improves personal skills.

Leadership training begins as soon as you become a member of your local junior Angus association. You learn by participating in meetings and volunteering to help with projects or committees. The more involved you become, the more you learn and benefit.

The NJAA hosts an annual LEAD conference for the purpose of leadership training and development. LEAD stands for Leaders Engaged in Angus Development. The conference location varies from year to year, but its objectives remain the same. The LEAD conference enables juniors to learn more about the Angus business and the beef industry.

Directors of the National Junior Angus Board also conduct leadership training for state or local junior groups. This enables juniors to learn from an older member's experiences and to see first hand how a fellow junior Angus breeder can be successful and contribute to the program.

Twelve outstanding Angus juniors serve each year on the NJAA Board of Directors. Every year six members are elected to two-year terms at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the NJAS. The first NJAA board was elected in 1980.

During their term, directors develop and implement programs and events to serve junior members across the nation and the Angus breed.

Traveling on behalf of the NJAA to various activities enables them to meet fellow members and to share their thoughts and experiences of Angus involvement. They also get first-hand experience at leadership, cooperation and organization.

The NJAA Board also makes recommendations for new programs and ideas to the American Angus Association Board of Directors, helps train other juniors and promotes the Angus breed.

For all of your hard work, participation and success in junior Angus programs, you may be rewarded through the National Junior Angus Recognition Program.

There are three levels of recognition: bronze, silver and gold. Each level is achieved by accumulating points earned through your participation and success in various Angus activities - from showing cattle and serving as an officer to selling cattle and recording weights in the American Angus Association's performance program.

Winners receive a specially designed pin cast in the metal of the respective award. Applications for the program awards are available from the Junior Activities Department or your state junior Angus association advisor.

Several college scholarships are made possible through the NJAA on a national and state level.

Each year the American Angus Auxiliary awards scholarships to ten young men and women who are high school graduating seniors. They have demonstrated exceptional participation and achievements in Angus projects, school, community and church activities. Applications are available from your state or regional Angus auxiliary.

Certified Angus Beef (CAB), LLC, and the NJAA offer a scholarship to a junior member or former junior member of the American Angus Association who is working toward a degree in animal science, meat science, ag communications, or a related field of study.

The Angus Foundation annually awards several scholarships to junior members or former junior members. Applications are available from the Junior Activities Department or at www.angus.org.