Two young ladies, Leah N. Johnson and Julie L. Drendel, have joined the American Jersey Cattle Association. Both have impressive resumes that will surely benefit the Association.
Leah N. Johnson, LaCrescent, Minn., has been named an Area Representative for the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc., effective June 6, 2007. Johnson will provide on-farm service in Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, and also travel nationwide as an evaluator for the AJCA Linear Type Traits Appraisal program.
“Leah is a well-rounded individual with a strong educational background,” said Neal Smith, Executive Secretary and CEO of the USJersey organizations. “Her cowside knowledge and marketing experience will be valuable in serving the varied needs of our customers in the central plains region.”
Johnson earned a B. S. degree in agricultural education, cum laude, this past May from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She completed internships in marketing services at Accelerated Genetics during the summer of 2006 and with the 4-H program serving 900 youth in Pierce County, Wisconsin (2004-2006).
A native of Minnesota, Johnson grew up on her family’s Holstein and Jersey dairy farm in rural LaCrescent. She supervised the calf raising program, assisted with identification and mating decisions, and was also a relief milker.
Julie L. Drendel, Hampshire, Ill., has been named an Assistant Editor for Jersey Journal, since 1953 the official publication of the American Jersey Cattle Association and National All-Jersey Inc.
“Because of her internship with Jersey Journal last summer and work on the Jersey Directory, our readers and advertisers know Julie’s work and her deep understanding of the purebred dairy business,” said Kimberly A. Billman, Jersey Journal Editor. “We are delighted to have her return to the staff as a full-time employee.”
A Dean’s List student at the University of Illinois, Drendel earned a B. S. degree in animal sciences, food animal science option, this past May. In addition to her internship with Jersey Journal, she interned with the Kane County Farm Bureau in St. Charles, Ill., contributing articles for the membership newsletter and helping with the planning and staging of the Ag Tech Tour for Teachers in the summer of 2005.
A native of Illinois, Drendel grew up on her family’s registered Holstein dairy farm near Hampshire. She was honored as a National Distinguished Junior Member Finalist by the Holstein Association USA, Inc., in 2006. A member of the advisory committee for the National Junior Association since 2005, Julie served as chair of the committee for 2006-07.