Awards & Scholarships

The Georgia Cattlemen's Association is proud to award producers and industry professionals with distinguished titles each year based on their service, achievement, and involvement with GCA and within our industry. Check out the information below to read more on this year's award programs and opportunities!

IMPORTANT FOR 2025:

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE submitted BY email by JANUARY 6, 2026 or postmarked by december 30, 2025. With the current state of the post office we ask that all applicants use the fillable form and email applications in. if you mail in an application we can not ensure we will receive it on time.

Please select the titles below to download the award applications.

GCA Scholarships

Scholarships will be awarded for the 2025 school year. To be eligible, a student must attend the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College or Berry College majoring in Animal Science, Ag Communications, Ag Leadership, Ag Business or other related fields combined with a livestock background. In addition, he or she must be a current GJCA/GCA member.

Producer of The Year

The Cattle Producer of the Year award recognizes a GCA member who actively works to enhance the productivity of the association through their involvement on a local and state level, showcasing sustainable management practices in his/her own cattle operation and shares that knowledge with other through their leadership qualities.

Junior Cattleman of The Year

This award recognizes a Georgia Junior Cattlemen's Association member who goes above and beyond the call of duty, participating in a variety of GCA and GJCA events and serving as a great advocate for Georgia agriculture and the beef industry.

Veterinarian of The Year

This award recognizes an outstanding large animal veterinarian who supports his/her local association.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Award

This award recognizes individuals who are BQA certified, use these principles on their operation and show BQA leadership in their communities.

Outstanding Agriculture Teacher

This award recognizes excellence in agriculture teachers who support their local GCA chapter.

Chapter of the Year Award

This award recognizes outstanding work by local associations in a variety of areas, including membership, participation in GCA activities, legislative affairs, community involvement, local events and service to members.

2024 - 2025 Georgia Cattlemen's Association Award Recipients

Since its establishment, GCA has worked to preserve the heritage of Georgia’s beef cattle industry for the future. The distinct legacies of those who laid the foundation for our association, live on through our mission to unite and advance Georgia’s cattle industry. As a testament to the individuals who prove the impact of a grassroots organization, the theme for our 63rd Annual GCA Convention was “Raising the Steaks”. Our theme challenged members to reflect upon the mission of our organization to ensure that we are continuously working to invite fellow producers into our organization. As hundreds of cattle producers and industry supporters gathered in historic Augusta, Georgia, we had the opportunity to recognize the GCA, GCWA, YCC, and GJCA members who are doing just that. From honoring industry leaders that have strengthened the community of young cattle producers through presenting the Young Cattlemen’s Council (YCC) Visionary Award winner, to celebrating the growth of local chapters through naming the winner of the Chapter Membership Award, our award winners prove the future success of our organization is directly correlated to the time invested by our members.

Check out the information below to read more on our 2024-2025 winners!

2024 Cattlewomen's hall of fame inductee - Norma Strickland

In 1968, the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association formed the Georgia Cattlemen’s Auxiliary and the first slate of officers were elected at the 8^th GCA Convention at Callaway Gardens. Our 2024 Georgia Cattlewomen’s Hall of Fame inductee, Norma Strickland, served as the First Vice President of the GCA Auxiliary. Norma and Dr. Jim have always been supportive of the ladies in our industry and believed that women belonged in the organization and on the farm. Norma Strickland is the epitome of class and grace. She continues as the family's matriarch, the ballast in challenging times and always, a voice of reason and inspiration as Strickland Cattle carries on. Norma, thanks for your involvement in starting the 1st Georgia Cattlemen's Auxiliary 57 years ago and your involvement and support since that time. It is an honor to induct Norma Strickland into the Georgia CattleWomen's Hall of Fame.

2024 Largest Net Membership Increase

Coweta County Cattlemen's Association

Each year, our friends at Priefert generously agree to donate a portable squeeze chute to the GCA chapter who has acquired the largest net membership increase. Congratulations to this year's winner, the Coweta County Cattlemen's Association, for achieving the largest net increase in chapter membership!

Thank you to our membership award sponsors!

2024 Greatest Percent Membership increase

Tri-Co Cattlemen's Association

In addition to our Chapter Membership Award, GCA also recognizes a local chapter association that has achieved the greatest percent increase in regular membership. Congratulations to our 2024 winner, the Tri-Co Cattlemen’s Association!

2024 top NEW MEMBER RECRUITER award

Chloe Moody - Tri-Co Cattlemen's Association

GCA’s Top Hand Award goes to an individual that has spent countless hours working to recruit new members into our association. Congratulations to this year’s Top New Member Recruiter Chloe Moody from the Tri-Co Cattlemen’s Association!

2024 County agent of the year

Jason Mallard - Ogeechee Cattlemen's Association

GCA’s long standing partnership with Georgia Cooperative Extension has allowed our association to continue to provide updated, credible resources to cattle producers throughout the state. The County Agent of the Year award recognizes the outstanding county extension agents that go above the call of duty in the support of their local cattlemen’s Associations. Congratulations to the 2024 County Agent of the Year Award recipient, Jason Mallard!

2024 Junior Cattleman of the year

Olivia Graham - North GA Cattlemen's Association

Olivia Graham is from Dawsonville, Georgia, where she raises and shows Belted Galloway cattle. She is working on building her own herd, with the hopes of one day having a large herd of registered stock and a plan to run a cow/calf operation where she wants to sell Belted Galloways both as show animals and beef animals. She is very interested in exploring different forage options for cattle in Georgia with the increased decline of farm land expanding in her community and that is part of the reason that she has chosen Belted Galloways as they are known to be able to thrive on less than desirable pasture land. She is also working with several other breeders in the Southeast on forming the Southeast Belted Galloway Association. She enjoys teaching others about the cattle industry and all of the benefits that it brings.

2024 David Gazda Visionary Award

Earnest Nichols and the Piedmont Cattlemen's Association

This award is presented by the Young Cattlemen's Council annually and recognizes a Georgia Cattlemen’s Association member and/or chapter who goes above and beyond to support and mentor young cattle producers. Meet our 2024 David Gazda Visionary Award Recipients, Earnest Nichols and the Piedmont Cattlemen's Association!

Earnest Nichols and the Piedmont Cattlemen's Association have shown true support to the Young Cattlemen's Council by donating a shotgun for the Inaugural Bull Shoot Sporting Clay Tournament and by entering teams in both of the Bull Shoot Tournaments so far. They are a friend and supporter to young producers and the YCC was excited to present them with the David Gazda Visionary Award!

2024 CattleWoman of the Year

Sheena Gay - West Georgia CattleWomen's Association

This award is presented by the Georgia CattleWomen's Association annually and recognizes a Georgia CattleWomen's Association member who goes above and beyond to further the mission of GCWA through promoting beef and educating consumers. Meet the 2024 GCWA CattleWoman of the Year, Sheena Gay!

Sheena graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science from Auburn University and is currently working on her Master's Degree. Over the years she has had different roles in the extension field, and is currently the UGA Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent for Troup County. In her extension role she has been instrumental in setting up an annual West Georgia Beef Tour, establishing the West Georgia Cattlewomen’s Chapter, and hosting local dairy and beef production meetings.

2024 Pasture management quarterly membership awards

We are fortunate to have support from Pasture Management to award our top member recruiter each quarter with 1/4 mile of fencing supplies and a plaque at the GCA Annual Convention! Congratulations to each of this year's winners.
2nd Quarter '24 Winner: Lanny Rampley
3rd Quarter '24 Winner: Penny Bowie
4th Quarter '24 Winner: Mark Stanfield
1st Quarter '25 Winner: Chloe Moody

2024 YCC Producer Development Award

Devin Harris - South Georgia Cattlemen's Association

This award is sponsored by ABS each year and presents one young producer (18-40 years old) with the Producer Development Award and sends them to AI School for free thanks to ABS!

2024 GCWA Friend of the cattlewomen

Howard Johnson - Mid-Georgia Cattlemen's Association

This award is occasionally presented by GCWA to someone who is a true supporter and friend of the CattleWomen's Association!