FUTURE FOCUS GAINING FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE Summer time doesn’t mean time off for some students by Young Cattleman’s Committee Chair Katie Stroud Just like many students, my spring semester ended with a whirlwind of cramming, final exams and packing for my summer adventure. My summer vacation began with a long, cross country drive to the great state of Kansas, where my summer intership awaited me. As a ranch-raised cowgirl, I wanted to experience an up-close-and-personal look Katie Stroud at the inside, day-to-day operations on a large feedlot. So, naturally, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to gain summer employment at a feedyard in Kansas. So far, in my experience as an intern at the JBS-Grant County Feeders feedyard in Ulysses, Kan., not only am I experiencing a lifestyle much different from my upbringing in Adin. I am also learning more about the weather outside the Golden State. Nevertheless, it would be an understatement to say I am loving it and learning more than I could have ever dreamed. I think often about my friends back in California, especially my Young Cattlemen’s Committee peers who are also experiencing once-in-a-lifetime internships. As CCA members, I thought magazine readers might appreciate knowing how some of the future generation is spending their summertime. In the remainder of this article, we highlight two other YCC members who are making the beef industry proud. Gabbie De Simone is a student at California State University, Chico; and Jenna Forster is a student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Gabriella De Simone
“As I write this column, it has been exactly one month since I started my summer internship at Harris Ranch in Coalinga. For the past four years I have wanted to intern for Harris Ranch, and now the time has come! Starting May 19, I began working with the processing crew, known as the “branders,” at the feedlot here in Coalinga. After two weeks at the processing chute, I began working on the cowboy crew. As I write this, 122 California Cattleman July • August 2014
I have just spent my last day working on the cowboy crew, and I will begin working at the mill on Monday morning. After being at the mill I will work with the hospital crew, and lastly, I will wrap up the summer at the packing plant, which is located in Selma. I knew I was going to enjoy my time spent here, but I did not know that I would enjoy it this much. It has been great getting to meet so many people; people that I had heard the names of, but I am now able to put a face to a name and personally know an a professional level. Overall, the aspects I love most about my experience are getting to work right next to these men and women, being able to ask them questions, learn from them and being able to see firsthand how a feedlot operates. It has been impressive to see all of the organization, communication, and hard work that it takes for a feedlot to be successful. Working with consumers is a passion of mine, and I feel it is important for me to be able to speak from experience. When having a conversation with those who have a hesitation about beef, or are opposed to the industry as a whole, I always encourage them to seek out experiences that will allow them to see an aspect of the industry first hand. I feel honored to be working for Harris Ranch this summer, and I am very appreciative for all of the employees who have taken the time to work with me. I can honestly say after my time here, I am more passionate about the western way of life than ever.”
Jenna Forster
“Growing up in the beef industry, I always had an affinity for industry related work. I had the opportunity to work as the assistant office manager for Cattlemen’s Livestock Market in Galt, for the past three summers and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. When the time came to apply for work this summer, however, I wanted to experience something outside my set comfort zone that would allow me to see a different side of the agriculture industry. I have found that working as the entries office manager for the Santa Barbara County Fair has provided me the perfect combination of both of these aspects, and has served as the perfect internship for my final summer in college. Working in the entries office of any fair comes with a broad span of duties. I have spent the months leading up to the fair coordinating reports for specie superintendents, processing over 6,500 entry forms, and preparing as much