Raising the Heritage Steer: Alex Beteta-Whitney

Raising the 2009 Heritage Steer for the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation is 13-year-old Alex Beteta-Whitney. Alex was chosen to raise the steer because of her extensive agricultural experience and her involvement in Nevada County and its agricultural programs.

Alex is a four-year member of the national 4-H Youth Organization and is affiliated with the Meadowlarks Beef Group. In April, she traveled to China as a 4-H student cultural ambassador as part of an official California delegation that formally opened representation offices on behalf of the State of California and California Travel and Tourism Commission.

She maintains a small herd of Herefords and shows them regularly at regional shows. She also raises market club calves, which she shows every year at the Nevada County Fair. In 2008, she won the Nevada County Fair Beef Junior Showmanship competition. For the 2009 Fair, in addition to raising the Heritage Steer, she is also raising a market steer.

“I’ve raised a lot of animals for the Nevada County Fair,” said Alex, “and it is a privilege to be able to raise this steer and to be able to support the community’s agricultural programs and the new Livestock Pavilion.”

Alex competed as an equestrian in the English discipline and currently competes in junior rodeo. She’s also a past member of the Sugar Bowl Ski Team, as well as a member of the Sierra All-Stars cheerleading squad.

Alex will receive a $1,500 scholarship for her efforts. For future plans, Alex would like to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and the University of Southern California with a career in tourism marketing or marine biology, while still maintaining a small farming operation in California.

For more information about the Heritage Program, becoming a donor, and the various donation packages, please see the Foundation newsletter.