Grace Howe of Waukon selected for multiple honors at Iowa Jersey Cattle Club Summer Picnic


Princess transition and award winners ... Grace Howe (left), daughter of Matt and Rachelle Howe of Waukon, was crowned the 2017 Iowa Jersey Princess by the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club at its recent Summer Picnic. Howe was also given the Iowa Jersey Youth Achievement Award at the picnic. She is pictured above with 2016 Iowa Jersey Princess Lakaya Lyon of Clarence, who was the recipient of this year's Iowa Jersey Cattle Club Memorial Scholarship. Submitted photo.

The Iowa Jersey Cattle Club (IJCC) selected three award winners at its Summer Picnic hosted recently by Bernie and Rachel Bakker of Alvord. Grace Howe, daughter of Matt and Rachelle Howe of Waukon, was the recipient of two of those three awards, including the Iowa Jersey Youth Achievement Award and also being crowned as the 2017 Iowa Jersey Princess.

The Iowa Jersey Youth Achievement Award, the IJCC’s highest honor, is given annually to a Jersey youth that owns one or more Registered Jerseys™, is between 16-19 years of age as of January 1, and is a junior member of the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club. This youth must show depth of Jersey experience, in addition to participation in other community activities.

Howe owns eight Jersey heifers and seven cows. She will begin her junior year at Waukon High School later this month. Howe is an active 4-H and FFA member; serving her club by holding the four highest offices and also serving as secretary of her chapter. She is currently on her chapter's FFA Dairy judging team.

Howe works for Lucky Brothers Farm, Waukon and relief milks for her uncle at Fossum Farms, Waukon, where her Jersey cows reside. She takes an active role preparing her animals for show and helping others. Her future plans include attending Iowa State University, majoring in Agriculture Business.

Howe will receive a Registered Jersey heifer calf donated by Summit Farm of Lester. In addition, she is now eligible to apply for the National Jersey Youth Achievement Award, given each fall at Louisville, KY.

Howe was also selected as the 2017 Iowa Jersey Princess, which is open to Jersey ladies ages 16-21. The Princess hands out ribbons at the Iowa State Fair and other Jersey shows, and is eligible to represent the Jersey breed in the Iowa Dairy Princess contest next August and to run for National Jersey Queen in November in Louisville, KY.

Howe stated, “I would like to use my FFA and 4-H skills and experiences, as well as my reign as Iowa Jersey Princess, to expand my knowledge base and continue to learn more about the industry and how I can assist. I want to continue what my grandfather has started with a passion for the dairy industry and dairy products. I find the Jersey cow most interesting of all the breeds. My goal is to be a life-long ambassador of the Jersey industry.”

The IJCC Memorial Scholarship is given annually in memory of all Iowa Jersey breeders and enthusiasts who have passed away. The $500 Scholarship is open to any Jersey youth attending or planning to attend an institution of higher learning. Lakaya Lyon, daughter of Kathy Lyon and the late Greg Lyon of Clarence, was selected to receive the 2017 scholarship.

Lyon is a recent graduate of North Cedar High School, where she was active in band, choir, speech, student council, volleyball, basketball and FFA. She has served as President of her FFA Chapter for three years. Lyon grew up on a Registered Jersey farm and her family has a rich history in the Jersey breed. She plans to attend Des Moines Area Community College, majoring in Agriculture Business.

Lyon just finished her reign as 2016 Iowa Jersey Princess and will represent the Iowa Jersey Cattle Club in the Iowa Dairy Princess Contest this year. She is also now eligible to apply for the National Jersey Youth Achievement Award, given each fall at Louisville, KY.

Lyon said, “Growing up in a farming environment has built my character in ways I am so grateful for.”

To learn more about the IJCC or to apply for next year’s awards, visit http://jerseysites.usjersey.com/iowajerseys/Default.htm.