IBA Introduces the Illinois Beef Leadership Academy

IBA Introduces the Illinois Beef Leadership Academy Class of 2023

The Illinois Beef Leadership Academy is a year-long program to develop leadership skills and beef industry knowledge for IBA members ages 21-40. This year’s class will participate in four in-person experiences to see “behind the scenes” of the Illinois Beef industry. Topics highlighted in this year’s workshops will include leadership, advocating for beef production, financial management and growth opportunities for your beef herd.

Sierra Day

At a young age Sierra Day was involved in raising cattle, corn and soybeans, and was involved with 4-H, FFA, the Illinois Junior Beef Association and the Illinois Junior Angus Association. This resulted in a passion for the industry. Later she attended Lake Land College, then earned bachelor’s degrees in animal sciences and agricultural communications from Kansas State University. Currently, Sierra is a master’s student at Texas Tech University, manages Day Cattle Farm with her brother and is the Field Editor of Prairie Farmer Magazine. She resides with her fiancé Austin in Grand Ridge, Illinois.

Austin Walter

Austin Walter grew up on a row crop farm in Grand Ridge, Illinois, where his family has been feeding cattle for nearly 100 years. He currently owns and operates Walter Brothers Cattle alongside his brother, Dalton. Austin graduated from Lake Land College in 2018, then received his bachelor’s degree in animal science at Texas Tech University. Upon graduation, Austin returned home to the family farm to continue pursuing his passion for production agriculture. He and his fiancé Sierra currently focus on the meat sector of the industry, as they strive to provide the highest quality beef at a reasonable cost.

Sarah Dirks

Sarah Dirks is new to the beef industry but is part of a third-generation grain farm in Central Illinois. After graduating in 2010 with a degree in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, she began working as a corporate environmental leader. She is a member of the Macon County Farm Bureau and the Illinois Beef Association. Sarah is excited to learn how she can grow her herd, advance her business and develop connections with other young leaders along the way.

Gage Hagen

First generation Quincy cattleman Gage Hagen served in the Illinois National Guard, then studied agriculture business. Six years ago, Gage bought cattle from a friend’s grandpa. He now owns 38 acres of land, rents farms for hay and pasture use and runs a cow-calf and backgrounding operation with his father-in-law. Currently, Gage works for the state of Illinois and hopes to one day sell breeding stock for a living. He is married to his high school sweetheart and has one daughter with another on the way.

In 2012, Adam Harms started working for Lorenzen Farms where he met his now wife, Rachel. Lorenzen Farms is a 300 head Hereford and Angus seedstock operation where Adam overseas every aspect of the operation as herdsman. Rachel helps Adam with marketing and management and operates Rural Redhead, a custom apparel business. The Harms’ have two boys, and each member of the family is involved in the day-to-day operations on the farm.

Ben Lehman

Iowa State University alum Ben Lehman is the cattle manager of Wildberry Farms. Located in the northwest part of Illinois, they boast around 400 seedstock Simmental and Sim-Angus cows. In addition, Ben is currently the Joe Daviess County Beef Association President. He and his wife, Stephanie, along with their kids Aubrie(7) and Weston(5), also run a custom grazing program for breeding heifers.

Trevor Maiers

Payson, Illinois, native Trevor Maiers is a fourth-generation farmer and cattleman. After graduating in 2020 from Iowa State University, he returned home to his family farm where they calve 150 cows in a fall and spring herd. Trevor manages the backgrounding barn, as well as helps his family members on their operations. In 2019, the family bought a mono-slope barn to reduce calving stress and feed costs and are adding a third mono-slope barn this coming year to expand their backgrounding head space.

Amy Quast

Amy Quast is a 21-year-old cattle enthusiast who currently serves in the Illinois Air National Guard. As a child, Quast was exposed to the cattle industry by visiting her uncle’s livestock farm and later attended Illinois Central College where she received a degree in agriscience and technology. During that time, she was mentored by cattle judge and breeder Garrett Lampe. Quast desires to broaden her knowledge of the industry to benefit her passions of livestock photography and 4-H and FFA volunteer work. In the future, Quast hopes to become a drone pilot to aid during natural disasters.

Greg Swartz

Twenty-nine-year-old Greg Swartz lives right on the Illinois River bluff in Pike County Illinois. Greg and his dad Rex Swartz farm there and run a custom hay and baleage service in both Pike and Scott counties. They also sell bale film and net wrap. You will often find Greg hunting, fishing or riding dirt bikes.