Convention Recap

Hi Folks! It is Katie again, this time I am blogging from the beautiful city of Moose Jaw where our 2014 Convention is being held.

What a convention it has been so far! We kicked it off Thursday with meetings and tours, so there was something for everyone. On Thursday night we had the President's Reception which featured great food, good conversation and the speeches from the five ambassador finalists.

On Friday we had our annual Rancher Endorsed day which included a wonderful panel discussion, guest speaker, lunch, and tour of the Belle Plains Hutterite Colony, and a feedlot. It was a great experience to be a part of and the weather was beautiful and cooperative!

Saturday was filled with speakers, the AGM and the grand banquet where the new 2014 Ambassador was named, and the third annual Building the Legacy Sale was held. Congratulations to Matt Bates, the new ambassador, and to the Canadian Angus Foundation for a very successful sale that raise more than $120,000!

It is a jam packed few days but what a few days it has been! Until next time, stay safe, healthy and have fun!

Posted by Katie Olynyk
Feedback: kolynyk@cdnangus.ca

Convention Prep at Angus Central

My Convention 2014 Preparations

It has been incredibly busy at Angus Central these last couple weeks as staff members prepare for Canadian Angus National Convention! Convention will take place this week from June 4-8, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The CAA staff have worked hard to ensure the success and enjoyment of Convention 2014.

I have contributed to Convention preparations as well. I collected all of the photos of the lots that will be offered in this years CAF’s Building the Legacy Sale. As mentioned in my last blog post, I am not an Angus breeder, but collecting the photos and communicating with breeders has made me much more familiar with the people as well as the cattle.

I have also collected a handful of photos of the CAA Heritage Award recipients. This year’s recipients will be receiving 50 year and 75 year awards. It is amazing to learn about the history of these breeders and their dedication to the Angus Breed.

Following my photo collecting, I have been busy designing PowerPoint presentations for the CAF’s Building the Legacy Sale, and the CAA Heritage Awards. Last week, I also packed over 200 goody bags that participants will receive, inviting them to Convention 2015 in Calgary. Along with many Calgary pamphlets and Angus swag included in the invite bags, there is a “VIP” invitation, which I designed. I am excited that so many people will get to see my work.

I am very excited that I have been able to contribute my creativity and assistance to Convention this year! Have a great time everyone!

Posted by Karla Ness Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Katie's adventures take her around Saskatchewan!

My what a start to the summer we have had! This May has been quite busy for myself in Saskatchewan, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! School presentations have been flowing in quite regularly and so far I have been able to do school presentations in Regina, Melville and Lloydminster. To say I have become a traveller is a fair statement!

Preparation for convention is in full swing.  Moose Jaw is a beautiful city with so much to offer, which is why I am so excited to have Angus enthusiasts there June 4-8 for the annual Canadian Angus Convention. Other things on the agenda for myself this summer include the Red River Ex in Winnipeg, Calgary Stampede in Calgary and Showdown in Virden, Manitoba. It is going to be an amazing summer for myself and all other Angus enthusiasts who attend these amazing events.  I look forward to seeing everyone at one of these events over the summer. 

To keep things short and sweet, this is what I have done so far this fantastic summer and I am very excited for all the opportunities yet to come. Please check back in for my next blog, which will take place at Convention, so it will definitely be a good one! Have a wonderful May and hopefully the weather is treating you well!


Posted by Karla NessFeedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

The First Days Back Home

 The First Days Back Home

By: Sophie Wotten 

It has been an incredible start to my intern experience. It is hard to believe that four weeks ago I was flying into the Calgary airport so eager for my intern position to begin. Each day is different, with exciting and exhilarating tasks!

Training week was filled with remarkable speakers, discussions with the Canadian Angus Association (CAA) staff, as well as meeting some of the integral Angus members. Everyday was a learning experience with new topics and objectives that I hope to complete by the end of the term.

            Once I arrived back home, I went straight to work attending Youth Forum, held in Markham, Ontario. This event is one of the biggest spring youth shows held in Ontario. Over the two-day event, I was able to connect with our Junior Angus members as well as Angus breeders. It was an outstanding showcase for the Angus breed, displaying 32 yearling heifers. Above all, the Grand Champion female was from this great breed exhibited by Hailie Conley of Vos Vegas Farms. After attending this show, I think it is safe to say that the Angus breed has a very promising future!

            Being a Marketing Intern, everyday is a new experience. The past few weeks have been nothing short of this. One of the first tasks I have been working from home is contacting schools through out Ontario. As an intern, I am presenting to students about the importance of becoming involved in 4-H programs, the pasture-to-plate process, as well as joining the Canadian Junior Angus Association (CJAA). Since Ontario has strict regulations on speakers attending schools talking with students, I am working with school boards with high hopes to spread the message!

            Another project that I have been working on is contacting numerous youth/breed cattle shows, education days, and 4-H events in Ontario that I can attend. A large portion of my summer will be attending such events. Being apart of agricultural events very fulfilling haven been a member of such a great community.

            During the long weekend in May, I traveling and came through the town of Cookstown where the Ontario Stockyards is located. I was able to post CAA brochures and flyers in hopes to retrieve more Rancher Endorsed members and increase membership.  

            This week I have been very busy starting my final project. I am very exciting to showcase this at the end of my summer!

Posted by Karla Ness Feedback: cdnangus@cdnangus.ca

Summer at Angus Central

The last two weeks have been very busy and exciting for me! I recently began an exciting summer as one of the Canadian Angus Association’s summer marketing interns.


I became interested in the internship when I realized the opportunities that come with it will greatly benefit me in the future, especially in my career path. I am currently enrolled in the Communication Arts program at Lethbridge College, majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. I hope to work in the agriculture industry in the fields of graphic design, advertising, promotions, and public relations, and being an intern at the CAA will help get my foot in the door. I have a passion for the beef industry and promoting it!


Much of my time will be spent in the Canadian Angus Association office, Angus Central, working on an array of advertising projects to help promote upcoming events, Angus programs and the breed itself.


Growing up on a Maine-Anjou operation, I have no previous involvement with the Angus breed. After working at the Association for a short time, I have already learned a great deal about the Association, the breed and the people. I am also very impressed with the Association’s dedication to youth. The opportunities that the CAA provides for youth, including the summer marketing intern program, are incredibly beneficial in building youth to become agricultural leaders of tomorrow.


The experience I will be getting this summer will be unmatched. I am very eager and excited to spend my summer at Angus Central and bring my creativity and enthusiasm for the beef industry to CAA! 
 

Posted by Keltey Whelan
Feedback: kwhelan@cdnangus.ca