Georgia Junior Cattlemen's Association

About

The Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association (GJCA) is a division established under the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association for members 21 years of age and younger, as well as current college students. For just $15 a year, members find their place within the strong community of young cattle producers that work to strengthen Georgia’s cattle industry. Involvement in GJCA provides opportunities for youth to connect with other members across the state and participate in programs curated to help identify potential career paths. Students whose lives are impacted by GJCA programs build valuable skills through hands-on learning, real-world industry experiences, and leadership development opportunities.

Why Join?

Become eligible for scholarships and award programs that assist in providing financial support for your future!
Expand your network of resources, cultivate meaningful relationships with industry stakeholders and GCA leadership, and develop valuable leadership skills and experiences.
Receive a monthly e-subscription to the Georgia Cattleman magazine.
Represent the Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association during local, state and national activities as a GJCA Officer Board Member
Apply for the opportunity to exhibit and/or develop a high-quality female, while learning the skills associated with raising and exhibiting a livestock project through the Heifer Allotment Youth program scholarship.
Participate in opportunities exclusive to GJCA, including the Top Hand Stockmanship & Stewardship contest, the GJCA HAY Program, along with various other hands-on educational programs!

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Leadership Opportunities

GJCA Officer Board

The purpose of this prestigious role is to serve as the voice of the Georgia Junior Cattlemen’s Association during local, state, and national activities. The officer team is responsible for sparking exciting and increasing involvement of youth throughout the industry. The group of young leaders will have numerous opportunities to expand their network of resources, cultivate meaningful relationships with industry stakeholders and GCA leadership, and develop valuable leadership skills and experiences. Through this opportunity, officers play a key role in sharing the message of GJCA and the cattle industry by visiting with local farmers and ranchers, legislative officials, allied businesses, livestock exhibitors, and program supporters in cooperation with GCA staff and leadership. If you're looking to make a positive difference in the lives of GJCA members and help unite and advance Georgia's cattle industry, consider applying for a position on the 2025-2026 GJCA Officer Board. Click here to download the GJCA Officer Board Application

GJCA Officer Responsibilities:

Help manage the GJCA social media platforms to engage with current and prospective members.
Keep 5,000+ GCA members up to date on various youth activities throughout the state by writing articles to be featured in the Georgia Cattleman magazine.
Attend industry events and activities on behalf of the association, including GCA Executive Committee Meetings, the Annual Convention, Cattlemen's Connection Quarterly Meetings, HERD and Bull Test Program sales, the Sunbelt Ag Expo, the Georgia National Fair, regional and state Top Hand Stockmanship & Stewardship contests, etc.

Play an integral role in planning, organizing, and facilitating events to provide innovative and educational opportunities to GJCA members.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with current and prospective members, local cattle producers, industry supporters, event sponsors, and the general public.
Play a key role in sharing the message of GJCA and the cattle industry by visiting with legislative officials, beef cattle farmers and ranchers, livestock exhibitors, and allied businesses in cooperation with GCA staff and members of the Executive Committee.

Meet the 2024-2025 GJCA Officer Board!

Maelee Dean

GJCA Officer Board President

James McNeal

GJCA Officer Board Member

Elizabeth Sanders

GJCA Officer Board Vice-President

Ellie Taylor

GJCA Officer Board Member

Cora Crews

GJCA Officer Board Secretary

Award and Scholarship Programs

The Georgia Junior Cattlemen's Association is proud to highlight the service, achievement, and involvement of GJCA members each year through various awards and scholarship programs! Check out the information below to read more on this year's opportunities!

IMPORTANT FOR 2024: ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY email by JANUARY 6, 2025 or postmarked by december 30, 2024

Heifer Allotment Youth Program (Temporarily suspended)

Let us help you expand your herd, add a show heifer, or begin your herd with the HAY Program. We will award 3 GJCA members $2,000 towards the purchase of a heifer!

Junior Cattleman of the Year Award

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.

cattlemen's foundation 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 member.

Competitions and Live Animal Programs

The Georgia Junior Cattlemen's Association, in conjunction with University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, provides hands-on educational opportunities exclusive to GJCA members to help improve their knowledge of cattle health and well being, agriculture economics, and best management practices, all while developing strong verbal and written communication skills. Check out the information below to read more on this year's GJCA contests and live animal programs!

GJCA Convention Contests & Activities

We are excited to offer a variety of GJCA activities and contests during our this year's Annual Convention, where we will celebrate the achievements of youth within our industry. Members can demonstrate their knowledge of Georgia's beef industry in a competitive setting by participating in the Junior Beef Quiz Bowl, the GJCA Photo Competition, and the Prepared Public Speaking Contest!

Participants will be broken into the following 3 age divisions:

Junior (Ages 9-13)
Intermediate (Ages 14-17)
Senior (Ages 18-21)

Click here for rules, guidelines, and specifics on this year's convention contests!

Top Hand Stockmanship & Stewardship Contest

The Top Hand Contest is a hands-on program that showcases student's abilities to safely and efficiently process cattle. GJCA members can demonstrate safe cattle handling protocols while also enhancing their understanding of important stockmanship and stewardship practices. The contest tests participants' knowledge on production areas related to quality assurance records, vaccine administration, chute operation, tagging, TSU sampling, implanting, and more! Regional contests are open to 9th-12th grade GJCA members and held in Athens, Summerville, Carrollton, and Tifton each year. The top 2 teams from each region advance to the state competition for a chance to compete in Georgia's Top Hand championship!

Click here for more information!

2024 Georgia Cattlemen's Association and Georgia Beef Board Summer Internship

The Georgia Cattlemen's Association and the Georgia Beef Board are offering a summer internship/scholarship opportunity for current college students interested in the beef cattle industry! The internship will pay $1,500 a month for three months and the intern is expected to live in Macon throughout the summer. All travel expenses associated with program work will be reimbursed. Upon completing the internship, the individual will receive a $500 scholarship from the Georgia Cattlewomen's Association.

Specific responsibilities include:

Help manage social media accounts to reflect a positive image for GCA, GBB and all associated programs
Work closely with GBB staff to plan and implement activities to support beef promotions
Assist in planning and execution of GCA’s Region Round-Up Meetings
Contribute to completion other industry pertinent projects as they arise