Thirteen students paired with Angus ranches across the United States will be expanding their knowledge of the cattle industry this year as part of the Angus Foundation’s 2026 Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program.
The program’s internships are the legacy of the late Camron “Cam” Cooper of Talon Ranch, Twin Bridges, Montana. Cooper established the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Endowment Fund in 2009 to offer educational experiences for undergraduate students pursuing agricultural degrees.
“The Talon internship empowers students with practical, hands-on experience that not only builds their technical skills but also deepens their passion for the cattle industry,” said Jimmy Stickley, donor coordinator for the Angus Foundation. “By working alongside respected Angus breeders, interns gain invaluable insights into ranch management, genetics and animal health, preparing them for successful careers.”
Keala George | Wye Angus
A student at Iowa State University majoring in animal science with a pre-veterinary emphasis, while also pursuing a minor in agricultural business and earning a beef certificate, Keala George is spending her summer at Wye Angus. Raised on an Angus cow-calf operation in southern Wisconsin, George developed a love for the breed at an early age and has since built her own small herd of Angus and Red Angus females. With plans to attend veterinary school and focus on animal medicine, she said she is eager to gain insight into Wye Angus’ unique genetics throughout her internship.
Wye Angus is managed by the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station within the University System of Maryland, which oversees the herd’s daily operations and its role in advancing beef cattle research. Since the herd was gifted to the university, animals exceeding research needs have been made available to the public through an annual production sale held each April since 1978.
Samuel Jordan | Henning Farms/Blueprint Genetics
A freshman at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Oklahoma, pursuing an associate degree in animal science, Samuel Jordan is spending his summer gaining experience at Henning Farms and Blueprint Genetics in Janesville, Wisconsin. Raised in Savannah, Missouri, on his family’s registered Angus cow-calf operation, Jordan developed a passion for livestock production at an early age. Jordan’s growing involvement in his family’s embryo transfer program sparked an interest in reproductive technologies, leading him to seek hands-on experience in donor and recipient management, as well as ET and IVF procedures.
Henning Farms is a family-run Angus operation with more than 15 years of experience producing high-quality cattle with elite phenotype, proven cow families and practical value for the beef industry. Known for nationally competitive Angus cattle, the operation continues to grow through both cattle production and a supporting hay and silage enterprise. Also based in Janesville, Blueprint Genetics LLC is a donor housing and ET/IVF service operation established in 2017. The business provides advanced reproductive services to help progressive seedstock producers maximize genetic potential. Recognized for its high-quality cattle care, customer service and proven results, Blueprint Genetics plays a key role in advancing genetic progress within the beef cattle industry.
Candace Lein | Bar 69 Angus
A junior majoring in animal science at Iowa State University, Candace Lein is spending her summer gaining hands-on experience at Bar 69 Angus near Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Originally from Almond, Wisconsin, Lein grew up on her family’s 450-head dairy farm and has been actively involved in 4-H since third grade. Her involvement in the program helped foster a passion for the beef industry, leading her family to establish an 80-head cow-calf operation. Following graduation, Lein plans to pursue a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition.
Owned by Craig and Deb Kukuchka, Bar 69 Angus is a family-centered ranch focused on raising practical Angus cattle suited to their environment and real-world ranch conditions. Since relocating to South Dakota from Montana in 1988, the Kukuchka family has built a respected program grounded in cow families, sound dispositions and maternal functionality. In addition to the Angus herd, the family also manages a large sheep operation, reflecting a diversified, hands-on approach rooted in stewardship and hard work.
Evan Foust | Vision Angus
A student at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville majoring in agricultural business with an emphasis in marketing and communications, Evan Foust is spending his summer gaining hands-on experience at Vision Angus in Amherst, Colorado. Originally from Bernard, Iowa, Foust has an interest in the livestock industry and agricultural marketing.
Led by Brent and Tina Vieselmeyer, Vision Angus is a family-centered program recognized for balanced, predictable Angus genetics and a focus on maternal quality. The operation emphasizes sound structure, performance and cattle that function well in real-world commercial settings. With a hands-on, team-based approach to breeding decisions, Vision Angus has built a program centered on customer service, functional cattle and long-term consistency.
