By Maddi Johnson
Did you know that Lassen County is home to a NILE Merit Heifer recipient? It sure is! Hi, my name is Maddi Johnson and I am a senior at Lassen High School. I have been a proud member of Milford 4-H for thirteen years and an active member of the beef project the past eight years. I am the first NILE Merit Heifer recipient from Lassen County and the only one to be competing this year from the State of California!
In June of 2023 I applied for the NILE Merit Heifer program out of Billings, Montana.
The NILE Merit Heifer program was developed to help youth get a start in the beef business. Selected recipients are awarded a heifer based on merit, future goals, and their ability to care for the animal. Any youth between the ages of 12 and 16 (during the application period) that is an active member of 4-H or FFA can apply.
When selected the youth get to own their heifer jointly with the NILE until they complete the program. Participants are responsible for raising the heifer, arranging for her to be bred, completing record keeping and bringing that animal back to Billings, Montana for the Nile Stock Show the following October.
Once the program is completed and the participant has shown satisfactory completion of all the tasks they are given full ownership of the heifer.
I found out in September of 2023 that I was one of twenty-four kids selected from across the United States to receive a NILE Merit Heifer. My donors Kyia Hendrickson and Reid Janish, owners of Summit Livestock in Charlo, MT, donated a shorthorn plus heifer to me.
My grandmother and I made the trek through the snow to pick “Mary” up. She’s been my buddy ever since. I have shown Mary at several stock shows from Yuba City, California to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho these past 10 months. I attend monthly Zoom meetings with the other NILE participants and complete monthly record keeping.
One of the requirements was checking in with American AgCredit to confirm that the project is being successfully cared for. It was great to work with our local representative, Joe Egan, on completing that task. I have invested hundreds of hours and over $5,000.00 into this NILE Merit Heifer project from my own 4-H project income.
Mary and I are getting ready to embark on our journey 1,030 miles from home! We will be heading to Billings, Montana in mid October to show in the NILE Stock Show against the other competitors and heifers. Mary is currently bred to May We All and will be having a January calf so that she will be heavy bred at the NILE Show. I am working diligently to be a fierce competitor in the Overall Herdman category of competition.
To help offset the cost of this trip I am seeking sponsorships from local friends, family, and businesses. What does your sponsorship pay for? Fuel and lodging. It is estimated that fuel and hotel expenses on this journey will cost an estimated $2,500. Any amount raised over this will help support Mary and I in the coveted “Calcutta” held prior to the NILE Merit Heifer show in Billings. Bet on Black!
I am so proud to call Lassen County my home. It has supported me through all my endeavors growing up here and I want nothing more than to make my hometown proud! Thank you for your consideration! I hope that on October 18th you will be cheering for Mary and I as we compete against other youth and their heifers from across the United States.
Every sponsorship is appreciated! For any amount sponsored your name and/or business logo will be printed on a sign to hang over Mary’s stall on Merit Heifer Row in Billings. For every $100 sponsored you will receive one embroidered Richardson 112 ball cap with my MLJ Show Cattle brand (various colors available).
If you are interested in providing a sponsorship please contact Nickie Dilts at 1.530.310.6882.
To learn more about the NILE Merit Heifer Program and all the requirements to apply please visit: www.thenile.org
