Applications are now being accepted for the Nelson McCammon Youth Heifer Program for 2017. 
The purpose of the program is assist Wisconsin youth from all breeds, interested in working with dairy cattle, gain hands-on experience, working with high-quality Registered Brown Swiss.
The program is a two-year program, with applicants wishing to purchase a cow being between the ages of 9 and 18 as of January 1st, and those wishing to purchase a heifer being ages 9 to 19 on January 1st. Applicants must be resident of the state of Wisconsin, and become members of both the Wisconsin and National Brown Swiss Junior Associations.
Award recipients will receive a grant for 50% (up to a $1000 total) of the purchase price of a Registered Brown Swiss female of any age. Example: If you are selected and purchase an animal for $1500 you will receive a check in the amount of $750.
Nine youth have purchased Registered Brown Swiss heifers since the project started in 2013.
Applications and project reports will be due to the WI/McCammon Youth Heifer Program Committee % Norman C. Magnussen, PO Box 146, Lake Mills, WI 53551 by Feb. 1st. Winners will be presented at the Wisconsin Brown Swiss Annual Meeting March 4, 2017 at Fond du Lac, WI.
Applications and more information about this and other programs can be found at the Wisconsin Brown Swiss Association website at www.wibrownswiss.com
Nelson McCammon was born September 29, 1919 and passed May 21, 2012. He was raised on a diversified dairy farm in southwest Indiana. He graduated from Carlisle High School and attended Purdue University. He earned a Bronze Star during his four years of service in the 38th Infantry Div. of the U.S. Army while stationed in the Pacific, New Guinea, and the Philippine Islands.
Nelson worked for the Curtiss Candy Company Dairy in Chicago for seven years. He mainly worked with their show cattle and became Herdsman for their Brown Swiss and Holstein Herds. He later managed Rolling Acres Guernsey’s in Illinois, CB Farms Brown Swiss of Connecticut and Indiana. Nelson was in charge of the show herds for Norvic Farm Brown Swiss in Lake Mills WI, as well as Cold Springs Brown Swiss, Monroe, WI, and Red Brae Brown Swiss, Eagle, WI. He and his wife Lois bought her parents farm in Clarno Township, Monroe, WI which he named Nelsland. There he bred and developed several All American winning Brown Swiss.
In 1959, Nelson won the prestigious Klussendorf award which honors ability, character and sportsmanship in the dairy show ring.
A mentor too many, Nelson was always willing to help youth interested in Brown Swiss. He spearheaded the WI Brown Swiss Breeders Share-A-Heifer program which gave WI youth practical experience with dairy cattle. He also annually supported national youth involvement through the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association.