Midwest Heritage Announces Recipients of 2019 Youth Heifer Program

Published Thursday, November 8, 2018

Midwest Heritage Announces Recipients of 2019 Youth Heifer Program

Midwest Heritage, a subsidiary of Hy-Vee, Inc., announces the recipients of their award-winning program to help youth get a start in the cattle industry.

Five individuals were selected and will each be awarded three bred heifers. The recipients are: Carley Fagan (Adair County), Ava Johnson (Lucas County), Halley Brown (Madison County), Cooper Oberbroeckling (Warren County), and Spencer Wallace (Wayne County).

Carley Fagan is a 7th grader who has participated in Summit Superstars 4-H Club, volleyball, basketball, softball, band, choir, Meals for the Heartland and WACKO. During the past year she has volunteered over 75 hours to different organizations. She enjoys finding strengths and weaknesses in her cattle and spending time with her dad on the farm.

Ava Johnson is a 7th grader involved in the Russell Reivers 4-H Club where she has shown cattle, goats, pigs, rabbits and chickens. Ava also participates in volleyball and dance and plans to run track this year. Her goal for the future is to attend college to be an animal nutritionist or scientist.

Halley Brown is a 7th grader who participates in volleyball and 4-H Club. She has been involved in the Madison County Beef Team since a young age and through this membership, she has participated in activities such as Cattlemen at the Capitol, Ag for Kids Day, serving at the Madison County Cattlemen’s banquet, serving at the Farm Bureau Banquet as well as many others. Halley’s family works in the agriculture sector so her interest in agriculture runs deep.

Cooper Oberbroeckling is a 7th grader who is involved in Iowa Junior Beef Breeds Association, Jackson Hilltoppers 4-H Club, Iowa Cattlemen, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National and State Maine-Anjou Association, baseball, football, basketball, track and FFA. He is also a member of Immaculate Conception Parish. His goal is to grow his heard over the coming years to help save money for college.

Spencer Wallace is a 7th grader who is involved in 4-H and FFA. While he is most interested in the animal side of agriculture, he is also interested in learning about what ingredients soil needs to produce good crops. His dream is to one day start his own cow-calf operation.

The goal of the Midwest Heritage Youth Heifer Program is to help future young farmers gain interest and knowledge of the beef cattle industry. Winners were chosen based on merit, future goals and their ability to care for the heifers. These individuals are 7th or 8th graders from Adair, Lucas, Madison, Wayne, or Warren County, Iowa. The program will span five years. During the program, each participant will maintain and submit accurate records of income and expenditures as well as a brief summary of activities annually. At the conclusion of the five years, recipients are responsible for paying back the market value of the three bred heifers.

“This is the beginning of establishing a foundation herd and gaining financial self-sufficiency for these motivated individuals who were chosen to participate in the Youth Heifer Program,” said Allan Bangtson, Midwest Heritage Senior Vice President and Senior Lender. “The first three years of this program have been very successful and we are pleased with the interest that the local youth continue to have in agriculture.”

Learn more about our Youth Heifer program today.

Youth Heifer Program