Flint Richards Area Representative – Northwest American Jersey Cattle Association Erda, Utah

What education are you bringing with you to this position?
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science from Utah State University, where I graduated magna cum laude.

Please describe your agricultural background.
I owned and operated Richards Jersey Farm, a family dairy in Utah, for 30 years.

What territory will you cover?
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah.

What are your new responsibilities?
I will deliver the services and programs of the American Jersey Cattle Association to the dairy farmers in my territory and be part of a tremendous type appraisal team that appraises Jerseys across the country.

What excites you most about working in your new role?
The Jersey cow is ideally suited to the component markets. I foresee a continued pattern of growth in the numbers and quality of Jerseys. I look forward to helping dairymen acquire, manage and improve Jerseys in their herds.

How will you be of most help to producers in your region or area of expertise?
As a past Jersey dairyman, I have a working knowledge of managing Jerseys, using the Jersey association’s programs to improve Jerseys and an empathy for the challenges that dairyman face. That will allow me to help dairymen find solutions to be more profitable.

Why did you choose this organization?
The AJCA is very progressive with its programs. The genomic testing programs, ID programs and build-up to REAP program are examples of the type of progressive programs every dairyman regardless of breed should be utilizing to stay ahead in the industry.

Jersey growth continues to climb. All this points to a very bright future for our organization.

What goals would you like to accomplish while in this position?
I want to visit every dairy in my territory and get to know the dairyman, help him find solutions to his challenges and explain how Jerseys and the Jersey association programs can be a big part of those solutions. PD