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
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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
