Meet the 2025 MHYF Nominees.

The Miniature Hereford Youth Foundation (MHYF) is proud to introduce you to the nominees for the 2025 Board of Directors. Each of these individuals has demonstrated a commitment to the Miniature Hereford breed, a passion for youth development, and a drive to keep our youth foundation strong for future generations. 

Don’t forget to complete your nomination forms and mail them by May 31st!

Your voice matters in helping guide the future of the MHYF. Be sure to cast your vote and help shape the leadership of our youth foundation.

Dave Pence - Nominee for MHYF President

I am the owner of Rafter P Ranch Miniature Herefords and principal  of the structural engineering consulting firm, Pence Engineering, LLC.  My wife, Mikala and I live in beautiful and diverse area of southern Colorado called the San Luis Valley.  Our ranch's mission is to provide our family, friends and neighbors with the same high quality ranch beef we stock in our freezer while maintaining top genetics for success in the show ring.  And while you'll find my wife and I bundled up on those cold mornings to feed and down on our knees combing and spraying on show day, it's never to the exclusion of our children at the lead, because our top focus is to assure that they earn the pride, confidence, respect, and work ethic that come with raising and showing these wonderful animals.  

I am enjoying the opportunity to support youth beyond my own kids through the MHYF and I look forward to meeting you at the upcoming shows!

Brian Moore - Nominee for MHYF President

I am Brian Moore from Windsor Colorado.  I grew up on a dairy farm near Osage Iowa. Farming in Iowa in the late 70’s and 80’s was rough.  So I went to college, became a teacher and never thought I would ever be involved with livestock again. Fast forward about 20 years ago my family, wife Vickie, son Nolan and daughter Kate were walking through the barn on the hill at the NWSS and fell in love with the Mini’s and I told myself, I can raise and enjoy these animals. In 2015 we bought two cow calf pairs and never looked back.

Kids are the future of the breed and I love the being able to give back to the youth foundation.

Sheryl Erickson - Nominee for MHYF Secretary

I am the co-owner of SEAL Livestock, located near Aberdeen, SD. I was raised on a cattle and small grain farm in Northeastern South Dakota, learning about farm life, and understanding good work ethic.  I showed horses and dogs when I was in 4-H, and showed AQHA and APHA as a young adult.  

I have served on our County Fair Board, the Community Parks and Rec Board, the Aberdeen Realtor Association, the Brown County Museum Board, and have been a 4-H Leader for over 30 Years. Participation in these boards has given me extensive experience in secretarial and presidential positions, and have gained satisfaction from involvement in the community and working with youth.

For the last 43 years, I have been involved in Real Estate Sales, Real Estate Appraisal and Property Management. I presently own and operate Erickson & Associates Realtors LLC, since 1997. I have experience in business management, marketing, and public relations.

 I am a Dog obedience instructor for the Aberdeen Community Rec Center and also give private Dog Obedience lessons.  My joy is working with animals and children.  I have a special needs daughter that started showing cows in her early 4-H years.  We added Miniature Herefords for her to show along with our grandchildren about 7 years ago.   We raise Registered Miniature Hereford Cattle and show them locally, regionally, and nationally.  

I have been coaching kids with a passion for cattle for the last several years and have gotten them involved in the Miniature Hereford Breed and organization.  I plan to continue to promote the Miniature Hereford Breed through raising, showing and getting more young people interested in the breed.

I have served for 3 years on the MHYF Scholarship Committee, Interviewed the MHYF Queen and Princess Candidates at the National Western Stock Show/World Miniature Hereford Show in 2023, and am currently the Secretary for the MHYF.  I have volunteered in the past at Junior Nationals and wish to continue helping the MHBA and MHYF.

Brice White - Nominee for MHYF Director of Grants

Hi, my name is Brice White. I have been a part of the Mini Hereford breed for over 10 years. The Miniature Herefords have been a highlight in our family and my daughter Rileigh has taken on my passion for the breed. My family and I reside in Cheyenne, Wyoming where we run our herd of Miniature Herefords as well as Club Calves. I look forward to continuing my interest in the breed and look forward to seeing everyone at the shows.

Election ballots have been placed in the mail and should be arriving in your mailbox soon.  Be sure your voice is heard and submit your votes no later than May 31, 2025.

Great elections start with great candidates.  Get to know our 2025 MHBA  nominees.  

Craig DeHaan - Nominee for MHBA President

My name is Craig De Haan, and I am truly honored to be nominated for this position. My wife, Sandi, and I live on a small acreage on the edge of Orange City, IA. We are located in the very NW corner of Iowa and we both grew up on family farms. I purchased my family farm (considered an acreage now due to the small-town closing in around me) in 1991 and still live in the house my parents raised us. I also farm my parents' crop ground of about 120 acres. We have 4 children – Dalton, Paxton, Chadon, and Jazlin. The youngest (Jaz) just graduated from Northwestern College (Iowa).

Many of you know me as an ag banker; however, 4 1/2 years ago I made a career move. I am currently employed by Advanced Ag Products, LLC as a Midwest Sales Specialist. Advanced Ag prides itself as an innovator in the All-Natural feed market. Our flagship product: By-o-reg+ is truly redefining nutrition both in lower GI health, as well as increased reproduction (for all animal species). Quick product plug: research By-O-reg+ - it is a game changer!

I began my cattle journey raising clubby’s, but my kids did not want to get involved with the bigger, harder to handle cattle. So, over 14 years ago I sold my herd and leaped into the Miniature Hereford arena.  22 Cattle Company purchased its first two Miniature Herefords at the Iowa State Fair and have enjoyed every minute of it since then. Now that we have no kids at home, I recruited a partner family: Joel & Susan Leusink (with young kids) to begin showing all over again. We raise to both show and sell high-quality meat. We developed our own meat label called Prairieland Premium Meat – allowing us to sell high quality meat products throughout the United States. We currently run about 70+ head of breeding stock.

The Miniatures Herefords quality and quantity continue to change for the better. However, with change comes challenges. I am a strong believer that in order to promote the breed we need a united front, and an association can do this. With your support, I pledge to work hard in bringing the Jr. Nationals back together, help facilitate the challenges we face, and strive to provide valuable information for both the show and the non-show families alike.

Thank you again for considering me and blessings to you all in the year 25!

Kurt Hoban - Nominee for MHBA President

Thank you to the member / members that nominated me for this position. I have previously served on the MHBA board and appreciate the support in the nomination process.

Our family lives just north of Detroit Lakes, MN and we have been raising Miniature Herefords since 2016. We started our herd with two heifers and a leased bull and have now grown to raising between 20-25 head consistently from year to year.

Both my wife and I grew up on farms and we wanted the same environment for our kids. Miniature Herefords seemed like a good fit for us and we are fortunate to be able to raise these cattle while still holding full time jobs away from the farm.

Miniature Hereford breeders across the country are doing great things to promote their cattle either through websites, social media sites, in print, or through state and local associations.

While we sometimes get caught up in focusing on the show aspect of our cattle, it is important to note that many of our fellow breeders are doing great things promoting the finished beef element of their farms and ranches as well, and with great success.

Visibility and networking is important, not just for the sale of our stock, but also for the support and mentorship with our fellow breeders. We have a great community of people nationwide, many of whom are just an email or phone call away, who are willing to help answer questions and offer advice on what works and what doesn’t for them.

Miniature Hereford breeders across the country, and members of this association bring a great amount of talent and knowledge to the table and I would like to see a wider variety of input and bridge building to the collective membership as a whole, instead of just contributions from a handful of breeders.

Diane Jex - Nominee for MHBA Secretary

Hi, my name is Diane Jex. I live in Elbert, CO with my husband, Brian. We have two grown children and four grandchildren. In December 2018 I retired from HP, where I held management and project management positions for 21 years in HR Systems, Global Benefits Operations and Employee Mobility. I am currently serving as the interim MHBA Secretary, have served as the MHYF Director of Grants as well as on the Junior Nationals Committee. My hobbies include gardening, baking, reading, and DIY projects.

Our Miniature Hereford story began over 15 years ago on our one-acre faux farm in Nunn, CO with a fiberglass cow that we bought from the Denver Art Cow Parade. Fast forward to today and we own and operate Bent Nail Farm on just under 140 acres of prairie grass where we raise 20+ Miniature Herefords, an old horse, an old fainting goat, an old llama (that came with the property) and chickens.

We began raising Miniature Herefords with the objective of providing beef for our family, which we have been able to do and then some. As our herd grew, we became more involved with MHBA and we ventured into the showing world with our granddaughters. Never in my wildest dreams as a young adult or middle-aged person did I image that in my later years I would live in the country and be washing, combing/brushing, trimming and fitting cattle!! The things we do for our children and grandchildren. Although we have recently decided to step away from showing, we will maintain a small herd of mini Herefords for beef. We will also continue to volunteer our time at Junior Nationals and other shows.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the MHBA board. I am a strong believer in open communication, keeping members updated on board activities and creating an atmosphere of trust. As Secretary, I will work closely with the other board members to move forward with the Association’s key objectives with a focus on transparency by sharing key decisions, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities with members. Thank you for allowing me to play a small role in promoting the breed.

Bill Moreton - Nominee for Region 1 Director

Our journey with Miniature Herefords started in 2000. After many years in a corporate atmosphere we yearned for a simpler life. The temperament and disposition of the breed was exactly what we were looking for. The decision to raise this wonderful breed with our children and grandchildren was the best we ever made. 25 years later we are still enjoying the breed and the peacefulness they bring to our farm.

Amanda Morgan - Nominee for Region 4 Director

My name is Amanda Morgan and I am running for the Region 4 Director position. 

My family and I reside in El Dorado, Arkansas on our small farm, Block-R Farms.  We started our Miniature Hereford journey in 2018 when our daughter Myra decided to show cattle as her 4-H project.  What was supposed to be a starter breed for her soon took root in our hearts and has become the foundation of our farm and steadily growing every year.  

My foundations in cattle go back to my youth with my family owning and operating a sizable commercial cattle operation in Oklahoma which is still owned and operated by my family today. From there I continued to college to obtain a Bachelors of Science in Agribusiness from Southern Arkansas University  and a Masters in Agribusiness Management from Mississippi State University.  Our family also owns a traveling petting zoo whose star attraction is our Miniature Hereford cow, Skittles. I am also a leader for our local 4H club that has seen extensive growth in the last two year.  

I have served for two years now as your Region 4 Director and in that time I’ve seen the breed grow exponentially in our region.  I’ve been so proud and honored to represent the breeders of our states, and love getting to know each and every one.   I hope to continue to educate the public on Miniature Herefords and agriculture in general.  

I thank you all for the past two years and hope to continue for two more!

Mark Fullenwider - Nominee for Region 4 Director

Hello , my name is Mark Fullenwider.

I am the father of two daughters Ashlyn (12) Ryleigh (10) and the main reason I started HillTop Cattle Company. I grew up on my family’s cattle farm is SW Arkansas and in 2000 I took over the family business. We raise Hay, timber and Char cross with Brahamn cattle.

I spent 25 years in the classroom teaching Agriculture and serving as an FFA advisor in the state of Arkansas. I was very active with the Braunvieh Assoc of America where I served on the National board for 5 years and held the office of Treasure.

God has truly blessed me in this line of work and I wanted my daughters to be able to have the opportunities I had and have a business of their own, so we started Hilltop Cattle Company 4 years ago where we raise and show miniature Hereford cattle and try to offer quality animals to help build the breed. I have really enjoyed the people I now call my friends thru this breed and look forward to serving in any way I possibly can to ensure the long future of seeing this breed continue to grow.

Thank You 

2025 Election Begins!!!

The MHBA and MHYF annual election process began on

Saturday, March 01, 2025.  The nomination packets will be

placed in the mail on Monday, March 3, 2025, with all eligible

MHBA Family level members receiving one. 

In order to receive a nomination packet, you must have a paid

Family level membership as of Saturday March 01, 2025.   

If you or someone you know would like to run for a position on

either board, please place the name on the nomination form and

mail to your MHBA Secretary in the self-addressed envelope

included with the nomination letter and form.  The nomination

forms must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2025. 

The MHBA and MHYF Boards highly encourage you to be part of

this important process!  

MHBA Officer Positions MHYF Officer Positions

President President

Secretary Secretary

Region 1 Director Director of Grants

Region 4 Director

Region 7 Director

 

 2025 MHBA and MHYF Election Process

The election process for the Miniature Hereford Breeders

Association® (MHBA) and the Miniature Hereford Youth Foundation®

(MHYF) takes several months to complete.  I would like to walk you

through the steps that are taken to ensure a proper election is

conducted.

The MHBA Membership Director is constantly keeping accurate

records of the Association's membership roster as this is critical to our

election process.  Prior to the election process beginning, the MHBA

Secretary will contact the Accounting firm and complete all necessary

contracting documents.  On the day the election process is to begin

(Saturday, March 1, 2025) the Membership Director will make a list of

all current eligible voting members who hold a paid Family

Membership in the MHBA.  Each of these members will then be sent

by mail an official nomination packet (as per Article II, Section 11 of

the By-Laws). This packet will include any nomination information

needed (what positions are up for election, nomination criteria,

nomination form, and the nomination return deadline, etc.).

Keep in mind that there are some stipulations that apply to the MHBA

and MHYF elections regarding nominating and voting eligibility. 

Article III, Section 1 states that “to qualify for a position on the MHBA

Board as well as one of the nine Regional Director positions, a

candidate must be an individual and presently a Member in Good

Standing (an MGS is an individual with a minimum of three

consecutive preceding years without lapse as a paid Family member

prior to the current election cycle).”  Also, according to Article II,

Section 11, “Executive Board of Directors may be nominated and

voted on by all MHBA paid members holding a current Family

Membership.  Members of the nine Regions shall nominate and vote

on members from their own Region to represent them as their

corresponding Regional Director.”

When a member receives their official nomination packet, they are

able to complete the nomination form and return to the MHBA

Secretary via mail prior to the established nomination deadline.  As

the nomination forms are received by the MHBA Secretary, he/she will

add the names to a Nomination Roster.  After the nominee’s name is

added to the roster, their vetting process begins with the MHBA and

MHYF Secretaries working together to properly vet each individual

nominated.   During the vetting process the Secretaries check to see if

the person holds a current “Member in Good Standing” status (being a

current paid member for a minimum of three consecutive years or

longer prior to the current election process) according to the MHBA

By-Laws.  If the nominee does not qualify, they are notified by their

Secretary (MHBA or MHYF) and provided the reason for their non-

qualification at that point. If the nominee does qualify to hold office,

they are contacted and asked if they accept their nomination.  If they

accept the nomination, their name is moved to the official ballot list; if

they decline, their name is moved to a declined nomination list.  The

completed nomination list as well as a list of all the positions that are

available for the current election cycle is then sent by the Secretary to

the independent Accounting firm to be used as the secondary double

check.  

After the nomination deadline has passed, and the nominees are

vetted, the MHBA Secretary will make sure that all qualified candidate

names are properly placed on the Official Ballot.  The MHBA

Secretary will then mail an Official Ballot packet to the independent

Accounting firm, as well as to all eligible MHBA Family level

memberships, with a return envelope to the MHBA’s Independent

Accounting firm (Article II, Section 10).  As members complete his/her

ballot, it is important to note that the Official ballots are not returned to

the MHBA Secretary or any other member of either Board.  The

ballots instead are mailed directly to the independent Accounting firm

where they will be tallied.  The results are blind tallied and the MHBA

Secretary will never be informed of the votes submitted by individual

members.  The results of that tally will be sent directly to the MHBA

Secretary only, where he/she will make record of the official results.  It

is then the Secretaries duty to contact each individual who has been

officially elected and inform them of their selection. Candidates that

were not elected will be notified and thanked for their participation in

the MHBA/MHYF elections.  The results of the election will then be

made available to all MHBA members via several avenues (website,

Facebook, email).  

Whew….yes, it does take that long, but it is well worth it.  The MHBA

and the MHYF encourage our members to participate by placing their

nominations in and voting in the election process.  This is your

opportunity to help support and shape our Association.

If you have any questions, please contact Diane Jex, MHBA Secretary

- mhbasecretary24@gmail.com

Thank you for participating in the Election process.

Your MHBA and MHYF Boards

At the 2025 MHBA Annual Meeting, held on January 10th at the National Western Stock Show, Charles Rohla presented research data and current recommendations from the Height Committee.  

The Board has not implemented these changes at this time, but will continue to study the data and consider feedback from the membership before making a final decision.  

Below is a summary of the data that was presented to the membership.  

2025 Annual Meeting Height Committee Presentation.pdf

We appreciate the Committee's extensive time and work in presenting this research to the Board and membership.  

The purpose of the MHBA AIME (Advances in Miniature Hereford Excellence) Program is to recognize exceptional cattle and breeders in the Miniature Hereford breed.  

Each animal receives points for each AIME show entered based on their placing in the show.  The animal with the highest points at the end of the year is awarded the title of Animal of Excellence.  

The 2024 Female of Excellence was awarded to T3C Emery, owned by Brice and Rileigh White of Cheyenne, Wyoming.  

Brice and Rileigh also were awarded the 2024 Bull of Excellence with T3C You Bet.  

The 2024 Prospect Steer of Excellence was awarded to Karly Biddle of Walcutt, Iowa for her steer, Double K Leroy K119.  

The 2024 Market Steer of Excellence was awarded to Lee, owned by Deacon James of Wilburton, Oklahoma (picture not available).  

The Ranch of Distinction division is designed to recognize breeders for their success in the show ring across multiple animals.   This program is an accumulative point show program designed to recognize ranches/farms that promote and educate the general public about the Miniature Hereford breed.  These ranches/farms do this through exhibiting their animals in Miniature Hereford shows across the country.  

The 2024 MHBA Ranch of Distiction I (1-3 head exhibited) was awarded to 4 Wiley Farm of Mount Vernon, Ohio.  

The 2024 MHBA Ranch of Distinction II (4-6 head exhibited) was awarded to Karly Biddle of Walcott, Iowa (pictured above).

Congratulations to all the AIMES winners for their success this past year both in the show ring and in furthering the Miniature Hereford breed!

The Justin Grady Herdsman Award was started in 2024 as a way to honor the contributions to the Miniature Hereford breed made by Justin Grady, former MHBA President. 

Justin Grady was one of first exhibitors of Miniature Herefords at the National Western Stock show, and then became the show superintedent for many years, fighting for recognition and a place at this historic event.  Miniature Herefords are now one of the largest breeds represented at the National Western and much of that success can be attributed to Justin's relentless efforts on behalf of the breed.  

Cow Swamp Creek Farms was the 2024 recipient of the Justin Grady Herdsman Award and Bobby Schlegel was asked to represent his farm in helping to choose the recipient of the 2025 award.  

"After a week of being here, we feel McKenna Camp illistrates what the Herdsman Award represents.  She is kind and so helpful in all that she does.  We recognize all of the work she does by herself to take care of her cattle from start to finish.  We wish her the best of luck in the bright future she has in the Miniature Hereford world."

McKenna, from Maypearl, Texas,  has owned Miniature Herefords for six years.  She is sixteen years old and a junior in highschool.  

McKenna's Mom says, "I just drive her and foot the bill.  McKenna does the rest."  

McKenna's goal is to better the breed.  McKenna has a true servant's heart and that can be seen in how she handed off showing her cattle on open show day to her younger brother so that she could assist in the ring as an MHBA Ambassador.  She said, "I just want to help others have a great day."

Congratulations to McKenna Camp!

In accordance with the By-Laws of the Miniature Hereford Breeders Association, you are invited to attend the annual meeting of the members to be held at the National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado on Friday, January 10, 2025.

The purpose of the meeting is to update membership on Association items, the financial status of the Association, and recognize our 2025 Royalty & Ambassadors.  

As a member association, your involvement and participation in the organization is very important.  We hope to see you at the meeting and appreciate your continued support of the Board. 

Craig DeHaan, President

Andrea Trapp has served as the MHBA Secretary since July of 2023.  Andrea has submitted her letter of resignation to the Board effective immediately.  The MHBA Board would like to thank Andrea for her time of service to the Association and the contributions she has made. 

At the December 19, 2024 board meeting, Diane Jex was appointed to serve as the interim Secretary until the regularly scheduled elections in 2025.  Diane has previously served on the Board of the Miniature Hereford Youth Foundation and is a current member of the Miniature Hereford Junior Nationals Committee.  We greatly appreciate Diane’s willingness to serve on the Board of the MHBA. 

Diane’s contact information has been added to the Board page of the MHBA website and she can be reached at MHBAsecratry24@gmail.com. 

We at the Miniature Hereford Breeders Association (MHBA) understand the importance of privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. As part of our ongoing dedication to transparency and trust, we are publishing our Privacy Policy to outline how we collect, use, and safeguard the information you share with us.

Click here for the full privacy policy.  

This Privacy Policy is effective as of November 11, 2024. Thank you for your continued support of the Miniature Hereford Breeders Association!

The 2024 ballots have been counted and the results are in.  

MHBA Results:

Vice President - Dan Wiley

Treasurer - Billy Scott

Region 3 Director - Isaac Wiley

Region 6 Director - Charles Rohla

Region 9 Director - Robin Benton

MHYF Results:

Vice President - Brian Moore

Treasurer - Terri Potter (temporary appointment)

Director of Scholarships - Alyssa DuVal (temporary appointment)

Thank you to all who voted!  To view the complete results, visit the Business Info page and log in to your member account.