Morden's Alyssa Hamm is a semi-finalist for one of just sixteen Cattlemen's Young Leaders Mentorships, and will be heading to Calgary in August to try and earn herself a spot in the program.

"There were fifty-four applications, and twenty-six of them got accepted to Calgary," said Hamm, who applied for this program in March. "We sit at a round table, and attend the discussions at the Canadian Beef Conference, which is where sixteen final candidates are selected. From there you pick a mentor, and participate in events in various provinces across Canada."

Hamm is also one of only three Manitobans to make it this far in the application process. Other Manitobans include Portage's Rachel Verwey and Jordan Dahmer of Carberry.

"I was pretty excited. I didn't apply for it thinking that I'd actually get it," said Hamm. "It's pretty cool to know three from Manitoba are going. I feel it will be a lot of fun, and a good experience."

"I'm pretty nervous, but at the same time I'm excited. I do have some time to prepare for it. It's only in August," continued Hamm. "Just putting yourself out there for the experience I think it's a great thing to do, and I hope to broaden my view on agriculture and the cattle industry in general."

Hamm stated her end goal would be to get a job in the cattle industry after she's completed her degree and this program.

Her family runs a Simmental/Charolais and Simmental/Hereford operation south of Morden. She has been a 4-H member for 13 years, and is currently in her third year of Agronomy at the University of Manitoba.

 

Photo courtesy of Alyssa Hamm's facebook page