National Jersey Queen Addresses Jersey Members at Meetings

Good Morning! My name is Morgan Osborn-Wotthlie and I have the greatest honor of serving as your current National Jersey Queen, a goal I had set for myself from the time I was little. I was going to speak today about taking the unbeaten path, as my journey has certainly been a winding one.

But if you know me, I’m more of a Dr. Seuss kinda girl so in his words:

“Out there things can happen And frequently do

To people as brainy And footsy as you.

And when things start to happen Don’t worry. Don’t stew.

Just go along.

You’ll start happening too.

Hailing from a 150-head Registered Jersey herd that was production-based, but with enough type to show, growing up, our vacations were “showcations.” Louisville was as far as I had traveled. My parents like to blame Jersey Youth Academy for the fact that I am never home. Until I was 17 and participated in the Academy, I had never flown by myself or been grouped with a bunch of people I did not know. But opportunity breeds experience, so off I went. Besides learning about the workings of US Jersey, what my main takeaway was that Jersey people are a tribe, and you always feel like you belong, even when by yourself.

Let’s be honest, money talks, and that is basically how I selected my university. A small student body, Christian-based, and eager for female engineering students, off I went. Unfortunately, no ag based classes meant limited scholarship opportunities. But as every good farmer knows how to do, I learned to pivot. Sales from my dairy project made up the difference, and despite completely changing my major, I will graduate in 4 ½ yrs. I actually loved the math but hated the computer work. I was expecting more hands-on work, so despite my ambition to fix design flaws that drive farmers crazy, I switched to a Business Concentration with an aim of working in project management.

Jersey youth programs really encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. After spending a semester abroad in New Zealand studying Sustainable Agriculture, I realized how small and welcoming the Jersey community truly is. During Spring break, I talked my flatmate into going to Australia, and while there, stopping in Sydney for the Royal Easter Show. What I didn’t realize was that the World Jersey Cattle Bureau’s meetings were at the same time and that Sydney was on their list of stops. Imagine my surprise when I walked in, and the first person I saw was Kim Billman.

Believe me, I thought lack of sleep must be getting to me because how could that be possible? Sure enough. In the end, I traveled halfway around the world to sit next to a Jersey enthusiast, basically from one state over. I was introduced to Alison Gibbs, the current World Jersey Cattle Bureau President, and she was gracious enough to respond to an email about touring her farm. She even allowed me to drag my non-cow friends along.

Last fall, during fall break I flew to London to visit my roommate who was studying abroad. Following my ever-winding path, I contacted Kim to see if she knew anybody on the Isle of Jersey. A true bucket-list destination for me, I just couldn’t help myself. Kim made the introduction and again, off I went. Spending a day touring farms, the Royal Agricultural Society, where they have every US Herd Book and Jersey Journal, and sitting in on a meeting of Dairy For Development was a dream come true. Again, Jersey people love to talk about Jerseys, so I felt right at home. When you are like-minded, you are never a stranger.

My time abroad really piqued my interest in International Marketing, and I am currently adding an International Business Minor to my degree. By that I mean, I am currently in the middle of a seven-week international business program, and leave this afternoon to return to the group in France. I flew here from Germany. Despite my body not really knowing what time zone I’m in, I would say that’s not too bad for a kid who was afraid to fly to Jersey Youth Academy by herself because she wouldn’t know anyone there. My journey thus far has been a curvy one and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Cows taught me to expect the unexpected, and the same old same old is boring anyway.

In closing:

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself

Any direction you choose. Oh, the places you’ll go.

I would encourage any young adult to step out of their comfort zone and participate in the youth programs the AJCA offers. The little brown cow can take you places that you could only dream of. You won’t regret it, and it may spark a lifelong passion you didn’t even know you had.