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Since a modest
beginning in 1975 at the state fair, the Iowa
Maine-Anjou Association has developed into one
of the most successful state associations. In
the past 10 years, Iowa has constantly ranked in
the top five of registrations, transfers and
membership. The association has made it a
priority to help breeders promote Maine-Anjou
cattle and improve the overall quality of the
breed through several special programs. They
have also put a strong emphasis in supporting
the future generations of Maine-Anjou breeders.
HUMBLE BEGINNING
Tom VanVliet, Otley, Iowa, said he remembers the
first years of the Iowa association.
"At the
very beginning it was very small," he said.
"We'd barely have enough people there to get
anything accomplished. It took a lot of
donations and free will offerings from the
members to make it survive and today it's grown
into something that gives scholarship money away
and has a very generous budget to work with."
"The numbers have swelled. It's grown from
probably having 15 or 20 those first few years
to 120 at the banquet this year," VanVliet
added. The annual meeting of the Iowa
association is a reflection of that growth - 120
people attended the 2003 annual meeting in
February. With total membership of 463, Iowa is
ranked 3rd in adult membership and 2nd in junior
membership.
Taken from "Small Steps Build Successful"
By Courtney Wimmer (courtesy of the Maine Anjou
Voice) |
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