Leah Giess is a sophomore at Kansas State University studying Agricultural Communications and Journalism. She has deep roots in the cattle industry growing up on a purebred cow/calf operation in central Minnesota. The exclusively family operated ranch has grown to become a nationally known source of quality purebred South Devon and Poundmaker genetics. Over the years she has worked to develop her own herd as well as helping with all aspects of the family’s cattle operations. She has been heavily involved in showing cattle and competing nationally in speech, quiz bowl, livestock judging and marketing at the NCBA Youth competitions. Leah recently participated on a study abroad trip to Ireland and interned with the Minnesota Beef Expo. She has been active in the North American South Devon Association for the past 15 years holding numerous board positions and also represented the breed as the Junior Ambassador. She is a member of K-State Block & Bridle, Collegiate Cattlemen’s, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and is a National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association member. We are excited to have Leah on the team for the summer as the communications intern!

 

Emily Albert is a junior at Oklahoma State University majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Communications. She started in production agriculture at a young age exhibiting livestock through her local 4-H and FFA chapter in Weatherford, Texas. She said she was very fortunate to be an active FFA member on a local and state level. These organizations ignited her passion for agriculture and the livestock industry. Throughout her college career she served as a Block & Bridle and Swine Club officer, as well as Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, and Alpha Zeta. After college, she would like to pursue a career in the livestock industry, communicating our story to the public. She is very honored to be able to work with the ASA this summer as the youth activities intern and hopes to learn the “ins and outs” of what a breed association does on a day to day basis and how she can help the Shorthorn breed reach new levels.

 

Emma Penzenstadler is from the Northern state of Minnesota where she calls Chisago City her home. She is currently finishing up her third year at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she is majoring in Agricultural Communications and Marketing with a minor in animal science in hopes to work in the event management industry. She is excited to be back in the states and interning as the registrations intern with the American Shorthorn Association after spending the last several months living in Sydney, Australia. She is most excited to work along professionals in the beef industry and to see what a day to day role is like in a breed association. Emma’s livestock background consists of helping her parents on her family’s farm where they raise Purebred Hereford Cattle and show pigs. Along with previously serving as the Minnesota 4-H Livestock Coordinator at the Minnesota State Fair and the Auction Coordinator for the Chisago County Fair.

 

 

 

We are excited to have these three ladies in the ASA office starting in May to help with National Junior Shorthorn Show & Youth Conference.