REV DECEMBER 14, 2020 

Presentation 

Awards shall be presented during the annual membership meeting traditionally held in conjunction with the Tennessee Beef Agribition the second weekend of March. 

Nomination, Deadline & Selection 

The deadline to nominate a candidate for recognition is February 1 prior to the awards being named. Nominations may be submitted by any TSSA or TJSA member in good standing as of December 31 of the previous year. Members may not nominate more than one candidate for any award category. Award winners will be chosen by the Board of Directors who will vote on all nominated, eligible candidates. Any category with more than three (3) candidates will be decided by run- off vote. If no candidate is nominated by the membership before the deadline, then any member of the Board of Directors may present a candidate to be considered or the Board may elect not to present that award for the given year. 

Awards & Criteria 

The Pioneer Award goes to a distinguished seed stock breeder who has maintained a membership with ASA and/or TSSA and has made significant contributions to the promotion of the Simmental breed in the state of Tennessee. A candidate for The Pioneer Award should have had a profound effect on his or her peers in both the purebred and commercial cattle sectors, should have involvement with other community, civic, or agricultural endeavors, and should have supported youth activities on a local, state, or national level. 

Criteria: Must be a current or past member of ASA and/or TSSA. Must be a resident or former resident of Tennessee. 

Seedstock Producer of the Year is recognized for his or her extraordinary contributions and/or achievements in regards to genetic excellence or improvement of the Simmental breed on the local, state, regional, or national level. 

Criteria: Must be a current member of ASA and/or TSSA. Must be a resident of Tennessee. 

Commercial Producer of the Year is recognized for his or her outstanding commitment to promoting the Simmental breed in the context of the commercial beef industry in Tennessee. 

Criteria: Must be a resident of Tennessee. 

Junior Herdsman Award is given to a youth member who has shown outstanding leadership and involvement on a local, state, regional, or national level. The Junior Herdsman Award recognizes a young advocate of the Simmental breed who clearly demonstrates a commitment to the cattle industry and specifically to the Simmental breed. 

Criteria: Must have either received or be a candidate to receive the AJSA Bronze Merit Award. Must be a current member of AJSA and/or TJSA. Must be a resident of Tennessee or must be actively involved in a recognized Tennessee youth pro- gram pursuing livestock interests (4-H, FFA, livestock project group in Tennessee, etc.) 

Junior Rookie of the Year is presented to a youth in his or her first, second, or third year of involvement who demon- strates great enthusiasm and commitment to the Simmental breed through participation in local, state, regional, or nation- al activities. The Junior Rookie of the Year will be selected by the Junior Advisory Board; therefore, no nominations will be accepted for this award. 

Criteria: Must be a current member of AJSA and/or TJSA. Must be a resident of Tennessee or must be actively involved in a recognized Tennessee youth program pursuing livestock interests (4-H, FFA, livestock project group in Tennessee, etc.) 

Tennessee Simmental Futurity - Breeder of Champions (4 awards) 

Recognition of breeders who bred/raised and nominated Champion and Reserve Futurity winners.