News Update
June 5, 2009

American Angus Association, API Announce Interns

The American Angus Association and Angus Productions Inc.’s (API’s) Creative Media have announced three youth to serve as interns for summer 2009. Melissa Miller, Brandon, Fla.; Jamie May, Randolph, Minn.; and Clinton Laflin, Olsburg, Kan., will complete internships with the Association’s Junior Activities and Communications departments and Creative Media, respectively.

As junior activities intern, Melissa Miller will spend the summer assisting in the planning and execution of National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) shows and events.  Her main focus will be the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) and the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference.

Robin Ruff, director of junior activities, is looking forward to their summer together. “Her dedication to junior programs as well as her hard work ethic and professionalism are already proving to be an asset to our department.”

“I’m excited to be working directly with youth and producers through junior programs,” Miller says. “I hope to become more knowledgeable about the Angus Association while building strong relationships with individuals from across the country.”

Miller is a student at the University of Florida pursuing a degree in animal sciences with an emphasis in biology and a minor in agriculture communications. On campus she is part of the meats judging and horse judging teams, Block and Bridle and Gator Collegiate CattleWomen. She is also a member of Florida Cattlemen’s Association.

Miller hopes to continue her education after her May 2010 graduation with graduate studies in meat science. She also plans to pursue a doctoral degree in hopes of teaching at the university level.

Miller is a native of Brandon, Fla., and is the daughter of Dale and Dorothy Miller. She and her family have a small Angus and commercial cattle operation. Growing up she was involved with the NJAA and the Florida Junior Angus Association (FJAA). She is certain she will continue to improve her personal Angus herd and serve the Association for many years to come.

Jamie May, Randolph, Minn., is the American Angus Association’s communications intern. She will assist the Communications Department by traveling to shows, publicizing Angus events, taking photos, and writing press releases. May will also attend the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) in Perry, Ga.

“I am excited for the summer ahead of me,” May says. “It will be a great opportunity to put my current skills to work promoting the Association and its events. I am hoping to meet many new faces and see some great Angus cattle along the way.”

May is a student at North Dakota State University (NDSU) in Fargo, N.D., pursuing a dual major in agriculture communications and advertising with a minor in animal science. At NDSU, she is a member of the Saddle and Sirloin club, Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) and Judging Club, as well as College of Agriculture Ambassador.

“Jamie will make a great addition to the communications team this summer, and we are glad to have her,” says Shelia Stannard, director of communications and events. “She brings a variety of skills and will be a great asset to the Association.”

May was raised on a hobby farm in southeastern Minnesota where her family raises and shows Hereford, Shorthorn and club calves. Her parents are Mark and Ann May.

Upon graduation in spring 2010, May hopes to stay active in the industry and continue to positively promote the beef sector through a livestock publication or entity.  

Clinton Laflin, Olsburg, Kan., will join the Creative Media staff as an intern this summer.  Creative Media is a division of Angus Productions Inc. (API) that owns and coordinates the Angus Journal®, Angus Beef Bulletin®, and other marketing and communication products for Angus breeders. Laflin will be assisting Eric Grant and Crystal Young with writing projects and video editing.

“I am very excited to join the Association’s team this summer and look forward to meeting you all,” Laflin says.

Laflin is a sophomore at Butler County Community College majoring in agriculture communications with a minor in agriculture business. He also is a member of the livestock judging team. After two years at Butler, Laflin plans to transfer to either Kansas State or Oklahoma State University.

Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, he hopes to move on to law school and study agriculture law.

Laflin has a long history in the Angus breed. He is a fifth-generation breeder from Laflin Angus, the second-oldest Angus operation in the United States. He also has been very active in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and plans to continue to show at many local and national shows this summer.

Jobless Rate Hits 9.4% in May

The unemployment rate rose yet again last month, settling at 9.4% for the month of May, according to an article in The Washington Post.

Labor Department statistics show 345,000 jobs were lost in May; however, economists were expecting losses in the near 525,000 jobs. May’s job loss rate is the smallest rate of job loss since September, according to the article. “It is the strongest evidence yet that the economy’s downdraft of the winter has given way to a more steady, measured decline,” wrote Neil Irwin, Washington Post staff writer.

Clare Danes to Play Temple Grandin in Film

According to Colorado State University (CSU), Clare Danes will play Temple Grandin, CSU animal sciences professor in an upcoming HBO film.

Filmed mostly during summer 2008, the film is currently in post-production and is scheduled to be released sometime in 2010. According to Drovers, the film focuses on the autistic professor’s life and experiences in the 1960s and 1970s.

Secretary Vilsack Opens 2009 USDA Farmer’s Market Season

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today opened the 14th season of the USDA Farmer’s Market season with a ceremony at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters. The USDA Farmer’s Market features farmers from Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia and is open to the public every Friday through October, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at USDA Headquarters on 12th St. and Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) posts a comprehensive list of farmer’s markets on its web site at http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets. The National Directory of Farmer’s Markets currently lists more than 4,700 farmer’s markets, up from about 4,400 only three years ago. The number and popularity of farmer’s markets continue to increase, according to USDA.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.