South Dakota maintains a strong agricultural economy; the production of Hereford cattle within the state is a major component of that economy. Even so, young farmers/ranchers continue to leave agriculture, in favor of other endeavors. The goal of the South Dakota Junior Achievement Program (the "Program") is to recruit, support, educate, train and identify future leaders - who hope to seek careers in agriculture and breeding Hereford cattle. History tells us that it is the membership of the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association who best appreciate Hereford cattle and are most likely to extend the market position of the Hereford breed. The South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program has been established by the South Dakota Hereford Association, Inc. and is dedicated to providing scholarship and other educational support for South Dakota Junior Hereford Association members. The Program is governed by a committee of people who are heavily involved in the South Dakota Hereford industry and who have a vested interest and passion in educating youth, developing leadership and encouraging young people to return to agriculture.

In 2006, the Program formed a partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), whereby the SDCF serves as the Program's primary investment and money management tool. The first Program funds were entrusted with the SDCF in 2006, when the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association and family of John Leibel permanently endowed $16,000.00 to the SDCF. With this endowment, an allocation is now available, on a yearly basis, for disbursement to the Program. Currently, distribution is up to 5% of the average fair market value of the total endowment. By partnering with the SDCF, the Program is able to pool funds into a much larger investment tool, and also expand the opportunities available to donors who seek a chance to share in the Program's goal of supporting those future leaders of the Hereford breed.

In the summer of 2011, the Program committee and family of John Leibel established the "John Leibel Memorial Scholarship." This scholarship is currently available to post-secondary students who are (or have been) members of the South Dakota Junior Hereford Association. Scholarship recipients receive a $1,000.00 scholarship, to be used at the secondary education institution of his/her choice.

The success of the South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program begins with each and every one of us. Breeder, industry and corporate support is vital to the success of any Capitol Endowment Campaign. For the Program to meet its goals, the Committee asks that you consider financially supporting this project. There are many opportunities available, which will allow you to support the Program, while at the same time gaining beneficial tax and income credit for yourself. To make your gift effective, you may want to consider one of the following investment opportunities:

1. Cash;
2. Stocks and Bonds;
3. Real Estate;
4. Gifts through your Will;
5. Other forms of giving, including Life Insurance Plans and Trusts, family business gifts, and commemorative and memorial gifts.

While cash gifts are expected to be the most common gift, donors are encouraged to contact their tax advisers to determine whether other forms of gifts may provide substantial tax advantages. Stocks, bonds or other forms of securities which have appreciated in value may make excellent gifts. Likewise, a gift of real estate (with Program committee approval) may be another convenient way to contribute.

As an example of how a breeder might take advantage of gifting opportunities, in the Fall of 2011, Fawcett's Elm Creek Ranch donated a heifer to the Program, with all proceeds going toward the "John Leibel Memorial Scholarship." This heifer was sold at the 2011 South Dakota Excellence Sale, and generated over $10,000.00 in revenue - all to be applied to a scholarship which is designed to provide support for young people interested in a career in agriculture and Hereford cattle.

And, while current gifts are certainly needed to extend the Program's current goals, donors are not limited to this form of giving. By making bequests (in your Will) to the SDCF for the benefit of the South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program - donors can help ensure the future of the Program. Likewise, donors may consider leaving assets in Trust, but assigning all or a portion of the income to the Program. Potential donors are urged to consult their own legal and financial counsel, to determine which of these plans might be best for them. That way, potential donors will be able to receive the maximum benefits of their gifts/investments, while supporting the South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program.

By using the SDCF as the Program's investment tool, donors are provided many benefits.

Just a few of those are:

*Enduring Significance. Anyone, regardless of title or position, can make a difference in the future of South Dakota Hereford Youth activities.

*Convenient and Safe Giving. Gifts are administered by the SDCF in accordance with the Program wishes; Contributions can be made anytime; Donors can rely upon the expertise and commitment of the SDCF's professional staff.

*Substantial Benefits. Pooling South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program gifts with other funds at the SDCF provides a better investment rate of return; All grant paperwork, auditing and government reporting is handled by the SDCF; Donors receive the maximum tax benefit from a gift to the SDCF; Currently, the IRS code favors community foundations over private foundations.

By cooperating with the SDCF, the South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program provides donors with the maximum tax benefits, while placing donors' funds into a sound investment tool. For more information about the benefits of the SDCF, potential donors can visit www.sdcfgift.org.

The South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program is governed by a committee appointed yearly by the South Dakota Hereford Association, Inc. Board of Directors. Committee members are motivated toward promoting the goals of the Program and expanding educational and other opportunities for Juniors. The present Board is comprised of:

1. Pete Atkins, Atkins Herefords, Tea, South Dakota;
2. Philip Eggers, Eggers Southview Farms, Sioux Falls, South Dakota;
3. Lori Repenning, Blacktop Farms, Mitchell, South Dakota;
4. Mike Fink, Fink Polled Herefords, Bridgewater, South Dakota;
5. Phil Tesch, Tesch Herefords, Goodwin, South Dakota;
6. Seth Zilverberg, Bar J Z Ranch, Holabird, South Dakota; and
7. Jeff Klages, Klages Herefords, Ortonville, Minnesota.

The South Dakota Junior Hereford association has a large membership. A listing of its current officers and directors may be found on the South Dakota Hereford Association website located at www.herefordamerica.com/southdakota. Each year, the Juniors hold a well-attended Field Day and other events. The South Dakota Hereford Association also promotes and supports a very popular steer special (along with other Junior events) at the South Dakota State Fair. One of the goals of the South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program is to continue the support and expansion of these events.

The South Dakota Hereford Association also maintains a Heifer Grant Program, designed to provide Juniors with financial assistance in purchasing Hereford show heifers at the South Dakota Excellence Sale, which is held in the fall of the year. (Presently, qualifying Juniors are eligible for a $600.00 grant toward the cost of Excellence Sale heifers.) And, in 2010, the South Dakota Hereford Association provided financial assistance for two Junior members who attended the PRIDE Convention held in Boise, Idaho.

The long-term goals of the South Dakota Junior Achievement Program are to provide additional financial assistance in the form of grants and meaningful scholarships for those Juniors who seek careers in the Hereford industry or agriculture as a whole. These goals have come to fruition, with grants being made to youth attending special events, and with the establishment of the John Leibel Memorial Scholarship. Of course, the Program seeks to continue the financial support of these existing Junior programs, but the Program committee is also dedicated toward expanding the opportunities available to those current and future Junior members. Donors may choose to support these goals by making a SDCF gift to be used generally by the South Dakota Junior Hereford Achievement Program; donors may also, with committee approval, make defined gifts for the support of a specific goal of the donor - such as a named scholarship.

Examples:

Here are just some examples of donations which might be made for the support of a specific goal:

I. With a gift of $10,000.00: The (Your Name Here) Scholarship Fund could provide $500.00 annually to support a college student seeking a career raising Herefords.

2. With a gift of $20,000.00: The (Your Name Here) Scholarship Fund could annually provide two $500.00 grants for junior members seeking to purchase Hereford heifers.

2. With a gift of $1 00,000.00: The (Your Name Here) Travel Fund could provide $5,000.00 annually for youth to attend national and world Hereford educational conferences.