MARYSVILLE, Ohio – The hiring of Morgan Hoppes as manager of Youth Education & Development Programs for the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) and Ohio Beef Council comes just as the group prepares for the Ohio State Fair. Fortunately, all the hustle and bustle hasn’t deterred her from focusing on the development and growth of beef cattle programming in Ohio.

“I think everybody at the OCA office agrees that as we continue to grow, we want to be one of the best programs out there,” Hoppes said. “We’re just trying to constantly improve and make it an enjoyable experience not only for kids but all the consumers, and people in the industry.”

OCA President Mark Goecke commented on the potential impact of the new position on youth and the beef industry. “Providing opportunities for our youth to expand their industry knowledge and grow their leadership skills will make them better stewards of our industry and more successful wherever life takes them in their professional development,” he said. “Furthermore, sharing this position with the beef council will increase our efforts to train advocates and spokespeople within the beef community, equipping them with information to readily engage in conversations and address consumer concerns about beef and how cattle are raised.”

Youth programs offered by the OCA include the BEST Program (Beef Exhibitors Show Total), the Youth Cattlemen’s Conference, scholarships and internships.

Hoppes’ responsibilities include management of the OCA BEST youth development program and its associated programs, the Buckeye Breeders Series, and Stockmanship educational contests. “Regarding current programs, the BEST Series is one of our bigger ones,” Hoppes said.

Following her mid-year hire, Hoppes is looking to tell the beef story and develop industry leaders through curriculum development and project management while serving as the OCA Youth Council adviser. “I’m coming in mid-summer and everything’s been planned out for the year and I’m looking forward to getting a couple more youth programs going next year – opening up some opportunity for the kids to do some leadership,” she said.

The OCA continues to educate about and promote the industry through various youth programs. The Stockmanship Division provides a pathway for youth to participate in the BEST program without showing an animal. It expands BEST participants’ knowledge of cattle and allows them to showcase their abilities and talents outside the show ring.

“The Stockmanship program is trying to pull in kids that don’t necessarily show steers,” Hoppes said. “One of our bigger goals is to pull in kids from all parts of the industry and highlight what they feel passionate about, whether it’s marketing or herdsmanship.”

Prepared Speaking, Cattlemen’s Challenge, Salesmanship, Fitting Contest, and Judging Contest are Stockmanship events in the BEST Series. “Every weekend they do a different area,” Hoppes said. “We’re trying to pull in all the different aspects of the industry so that kids can feel more excited to join the OCA and experience some of the things we offer.”

Hoppes currently works a hybrid schedule, helping as needed. She works from her Tiffin, Ohio, home and travels to the OCA’s Marysville office several times a week. However, that will change when the BEST Series begins. “Right now, I’m in the office at least one to two days a week, and with state fair, it’s just been whatever they need,” Hoppes said. “But I think once we get past state fair and start implementing more stuff and the BEST Series kicks in, I would assume I’ll probably be in the office a few days a week.”

Hoppes grew up in Wood County and participated in 4-H and FFA programs. “I’ve been super involved whether it was as president of whatever, leadership councils, anything along those lines – I’ve always been extremely involved,” Hoppes said. “I did the BEST Series for cattle and showed sheep growing up too.”

She graduated from the University of Findlay in 2020, majoring in animal science. She worked as a student education and development officer for the University of Findlay while earning her degree.

Most recently she worked for ST Genetics of Tiffin. She and her husband, Kevin, have a small club lamb operation in Northwest Ohio while helping with her family’s club calf business. “I got married back in November and currently live in Tiffin,” Hoppes said “We raise sheep. We have about 75 club lambs and I still dabble a little bit with my parent’s cattle operation cattle back home – I’ve definitely remained involved.”

Her experience with the Ohio State Extension office in Seneca County was a big reason Hoppes wanted to get involved with the education development side of things again. “I did an internship with them and we did everything for the kids from the fair to the 4-H camp to STEM days – you name it,” she said. “That was something that I loved and I’ve always loved, you know, helping kids.”

Looking down the road Hoppes understands that next year will reflect on her capacity in the new role. “A year from now I’ll be the one that’s able to plan things from the jump and having a successful year implementing a couple of new programs and making sure that we reach out to some of our current members to get their feedback and see what they think about things,” she said. “I definitely think next year will be a little different – in a good way, in a positive way, and hopefully it’ll just go just as smoothly as it always does.”