The five new members of the leadership team are Addie Dennis, Fairfield County; Ava Egbert, Auglaize County; Leah Hamilton, Tuscarawas County; Wyatt Osborn, Highland County; and Daniel Stacy, Clark County.
Members of the leadership team will assist in planning OYBC events and programs that will serve beef industry youth across Ohio to equip them with tools to become more effective industry leaders and inspire them to continue their engagement in Ohio’s beef industry as adults.
Learn more about the OYBC leadership team below:
Natalie Williams is from Union County. Williams grew up exhibiting cattle and has been active in 4-H and FFA. Through these organizations, she has served as a leader and served on multiple officer roles. This fall, Williams will be attending West Virginia University where she will pursue a bachelors in agricultural science degree specializing in animal and nutritional sciences to continue her involvement and passion in the livestock industry.
Soda Kiser is from Cuyahoga County and has been an active member of 4-H for six years. He has exhibited cattle and swine while also raising various species for market. Throughout his time in 4-H, Kiser has taken on numerous leadership roles at both the county and state levels. While at school, Kiser is an active member of the UF Show Cattle Team and serves as a Resident Assistant and is a leader within college ministry. He will be entering his sophomore year at the University of Findlay, majoring in Animal Science Industry. Kiser plans to use his education to build his own beef operation.
Ella Martin is from Seneca County and currently attends Kansas State University, where she is majoring in Agricultural Communications and Journalism with a minor in Animal Science. Throughout her years in FFA and 4-H, she has held multiple leadership positions that have allowed her to develop valuable skills and deepen her passion for the beef industry. Martin hopes to use her education and experiences to advocate for agriculture, promote the livestock industry, and help bridge the gap between producers and consumers. Through her involvement in agriculture, she is committed to sharing the story of the industry and supporting its future for generations to come.
Madalynn Dunham is from Champaign County. She grew up exhibiting cattle and goats and has been active in 4-H and FFA. She competed in FFA Career and Leadership Development Events, served on several livestock councils and boards in leadership rolls, and has always been extremely involved in the beef and agriculture industry . Dunham is a graduate of Urbana High School and is currently attending Sinclair Community College. Her plan includes transferring to a four-year university, majoring in Agribusiness and applied economics with a dual minor in agriculture communications and animal science, where she also intends to further her education and continue her passion for livestock judging.
Lauren Heimerl is from Licking County. She is a senior at Johnstown-Monroe High School. Heimerl was raised on her family’s commercial hog farm, a farrow to finish facility spanning the state of Ohio. She helps her family with their 60 head cattle operation made up of mostly F1 Baldy cows. She is also an active 4-H and FFA member. In school, she is a varsity volleyball player, marches in the band, and is deeply involved through Global Scholars, FCCLA, OMUN, Student Council, and National Honor Society. Heimerl is involved in her community as a member of the Junior Fair Board at the Hartford Fair and as a summer camp counselor for Licking County. Following high school graduation, she intends to pursue a degree in agricultural education at a land-grant university.
Addie Dennis is from Fairfield County. She is a 16-year-old livestock showman and breeder who exhibits deep enthusiasm towards agriculture. Dennis has grown up on her family crop farm, including: corn, soybeans, cover-crops, and hay, bringing it upon herself to start breeding livestock upon her showing experience. Through 4-H she raises a flock of Hampshire x Suffolk Sheep and a small herd of Crossbred Cattle, primarily focusing on meat production. This fall she will be a senior at Sheridan High school, where she is a part of her FFA Chapter, National Honors Society, and Student Council. As a strong agricultural advocate, Dennis loves serving her community by joining new agricultural organizations and taking part in community service opportunities.
Ava Egbert is from Auglaize County. She is a junior at The Ohio State University, majoring in Animal Sciences and minoring in Agribusiness. She plans to pursue a career in large animal reproduction. Egbert grew up showing cattle as she was actively involved with her local 4-H and FFA programs. In her free time, she can be found riding reining horses and working on her family’s farm, as she hopes to continue her involvement within both the livestock and equine industries.
Leah Hamilton is from Tuscarawas County. She is 18 years old and will be a sophomore this fall at the University of Findlay, where she is majoring in Animal Science with an emphasis on Animal Industry, and a minor in Business. At the university, she is actively involved on both the beef show cattle team and the sheep show team. Hamilton is also a dedicated member of 4-H, participating at the county, state, and national levels. In addition to her academic and extracurricular involvement, she works for Flying K Ranch, where she helps raise cattle, assist with marketing, and helps manage the company’s e-commerce sales. Hamilton has a passion for agriculture and looks forward to continuing to advocate for the beef industry.
Wyatt Osborn is from Highland County. He is an active leader in 4-H, FFA, Highland County Junior Fair Board, and Highland County 4-H Junior Leaders. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa. Osborn shows cattle at the county, state, and national levels and participates in the Ohio Cattlemen's Association BEST Program. This fall, he will attend The Ohio State University majoring in Agribusiness and Applied Economics and has been accepted into the OSU Mount Leadership Society Scholars program. He helps manage his family’s cattle operation, including buying and selling show cattle, and is also the co-owner of a beef embryo service business. This summer, Osborn is interning with Ohio State University Extension in Highland County.
Daniel Stacy is from Clark County. He is a graduate of Global Impact STEM Academy and currently attends The Ohio State University, where he is majoring in Agribusiness and Applied Economics with a minor in Animal Science. Stacy has been involved in the livestock industry from a young age, showing sheep and cattle through 4-H and FFA. He is currently a member of the Ohio State Livestock Judging Team and plans to use his experiences in agriculture, leadership, and business to pursue a career in the livestock industry. For more information about the Ohio Beef Youth Council, visit OhioCattle.org or contact the OCA Office at (614) 873-6736 or [email protected]