Blum: Giving it your all

One of my favorite aspects of writing stories for AgriNews is highlighting the work of young people in agriculture, which certainly was the case when I spoke with Melinda Braun during the Illinois Beef Expo held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Melinda won the Illinois Beef Association Points Show Program and was honored together with the winners of the both the Top 10 Heifer and Steer Point Show winners during the event.

The junior exhibitor was quite excited to win the points program.

“It really all started last year at the Illinois Beef Expo,” she said. “I had two Hereford heifers in the grand drive out of four, and I won the Champion Polled Hereford heifer award.”

“My brother, Tyler, and I always set a yearly goal, and I really wanted to chase the points and win it because I knew I was going to have a good year,” she said.

The Braun family owns a 50-cow herd of registered Hereford cattle. At the Illinois State Fair last year, Melinda showed the Reserve Champion Polled Hereford heifer.

“I won with my bred and owned heifer, and that was really exciting because I raised her,” she said. “At Du Quoin, I showed the Reserve Champion Hereford heifer and fifth overall.”

Melinda enjoys the competitiveness of showing, seeing new places and meeting new people.

“We showed all over going from the top of the state to the bottom, and I think we went to about 13 shows,” she said.

And, Melinda stressed to me that she would not have been able to win the award without a lot of help.

“It took a crew, including lots of friends,” she said. “My mom and brother couldn’t go everywhere, so I tagged along sometimes with other people, but we always got it done.”

It is so fun to see young people set a goal, work hard and then achieve that goal. Congrats to Melinda — your work ethic and determination will take you far.