SG_USA_October_2019

Membership Molds Youth Association Leader, Breeder

By Jessie Topp-Becker, Managing Editor

in every competi- tion that’s part of the annual NJSGS. Some of her suc-

cesses include winning the photog- raphy, sales talk and public speaking contests – some of them multiple times. “The contests that nationals offers are not only there for competition, but for everyone to learn and have fun,” she says. “The best advice I can give is to be as involved as you can be.” Kimble credits her NJSGA member- ship with helping her come out of her shell and giving her the tools needed to become an effective leader. While she was elected president and queen during the 2019 NJSGS, those aren’t the first leadership positions she’s had; she’s previously served as the organization’s princess and as a district director for the past two years. The newly elected president is excited to lead the organization’s more than 400 youth members during the coming year. “I am serving as a representative of, I think, one of the most well-rounded junior breed associations in the United States,” she says. Leadership development, friendly competition, networking and fun are just a small sampling of the benefits of NJSGA membership. Kimble also appreciates the opportunity she’s had to develop her own Santa Gertrudis herd as part of the organization. Her first Santa Gertrudis heifer, Cupcake, was purchased in 2011 from Y.N. Strait. In addition to purchasing her own cattle as a means to grow her herd, Kimble also received a donated heifer from Joe Shelby in 2013. Today, the 16-year-old has 24 Santa Gertrudis cattle in her growing herd. She and her older brother have separate herds but work together to raise their cattle. “We continue to purchase genetics from a phenotypic and genetic stand- point to improve every aspect of not only having good quality show animals, but having good breeding animals too,” she explains.

The hard work this young breeder has dedicated to her herd paid big dividends this summer when she claimed two national champion titles at the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Show. “It was a huge accomplishment for me,” Kimble says. “Not only to win nationals, which is something I’ve been working my whole show career for, but to win it with animals I’ve raised myself. “I only took one heifer to nation- als that I didn’t raise, and they all did good,” she adds. “I couldn’t be more grateful for that.” Kimble claimed purple banners for Grand Champion Purebred Female with KK Sabe’s Un Valiente (ET) and Cham- pion Bred and Owned Female with KK Sweet Caroline. While the hardware she earned is validation for her hard work, success didn’t come overnight. In fact, Kimble recalls times when she’d be at the bottom of a class, but she never gave up, and she encourages other members to continue showing and breeding, even when their success isn’t validated in the form of a banner or trophy. “It’s really up to your work and dedi- cation, and believing in your animals and your breeding program,” she says. Kimble’s success is due partly thanks to fellow Santa Gertrudis breeders who have offered support, advice and encouragement over the years. “I definitely would not be where I am today without the support from not only my family, my friends and my ‘village’ as we call them, but also a lot of breed- ers,” she says. Santa Gertrudis breeders Felix Serna and his family, Strait Ranches and Joe Shelby are just a few breeders who have helped Kimble establish and improve her herd.

Kalli Kimble has been around Santa Gertrudis cattle and the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Asso- ciation (NJSGA) for as long as she can remember. The Kingsbury, Texas, teen recalls tagging along with her older siblings to shows and association events for several years before she turned the magic age of 9. That’s when Kimble’s mom signed her up as a member of Santa Gertrudis Breeders International’s youth organization. Prior to becoming a true member, Kimble recalls attending National Junior Santa Gertrudis Shows (NJSGS) and participating in activities like peewee showmanship. “I kind of grew up in that environ- ment, so once I got to the point where I could have my first show heifer and got put in the ring, I fell in love with it instantly,” she says. Once she became a member, Kimble hit the ground running and hasn’t looked back. In her nearly eight years of membership, she’s attended the Gerts Ongoing Advanced Leadership Summit multiple times and participated

CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 

14

SANTA GERTRUDIS USA T GE T I U