Jacee Lancaster

 

Magazine recognizes Utah State Fair director in its 30 Under 30

SALT LAKE CITY – Over the last four years, Jacee Lancaster has made an impact on the Utah State Fair.

The notice has reached far beyond Salt Lake City. Editors and executives at COWGIRL have recognized Lancaster as one of the magazine’s 30 Under 30, which recognizes “remarkable women” in the Western industry.

“I’m very honored, because this is a pretty big accomplishment,” said Lancaster, the livestock director for Utah State Fair and production manager for Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo, which takes place during the annual exposition. “For women, especially younger women, to be recognized in the industry is a big deal.

“When I was growing up, my mom was pretty encouraging about the fact that there was a place for us in the industry, but you would always have to work harder and be better to prove yourself. I think that’s proven true, but I think it’s pretty eye-opening to see how things are shifting. There’s a place for women – and young women – in the industry.”

She’s proven it to the point that COWGIRL is recognizing her on a national stage. The publication opted in 2020 to begin crediting young women who shape the future of the Western way of life. The women will be recognized during the Wrangler COWGIRL 30 Under 30 Empowered Gala, which takes place during the COWGIRL Leadership Summit from May 20-22 in Arlington, Texas.

Lancaster is part of the leadership team at the Utah State Fair, which takes place Sept. 10-20 at Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. With her dual role as livestock director and rodeo producer, she utilizes a lifetime of experiences and relationships to help both the livestock shows and the annual rodeo blossom. Utah’s Own Rodeo will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11; Saturday, Sept. 12; and Monday, Sept. 14, in the Days of ’47 Arena, which is on the fairpark grounds.

“When I went to college, I knew I wanted to be involved in agriculture,” said Lancaster, who owns an associate’s degree in business and a bachelor’s degree in marketing and corporate communication from Idaho State University. “As far as the fair side of things, we always grew up at the county fair. My family was there. My mom was pregnant with me at the fair. That always piqued my interest, and then I have a sister is involved and my aunt running a fair, as well.”

She was born into a family in the southern Idaho town of Jerome, where the county fair was a major community happening. It’s that mindset she took with her when she took the post in Salt Lake City.

Her father, Mike, worked in the grain-and-seed industry after graduating college. He still farms and raises cattle full time, but he also remains busy with crop adjusting, catering and other activities on this side. Her mother, Laurie, worked in management of a dairy testing association, and then was part of a milk, forage and animal diagnostic lab. Together, they provided a solid foundation that has guided all three daughters. Jacee Lancaster has been building her own credentials on top of it.

“It was kind of scary thinking about doing anything outside agriculture,” she said. “They always say the further generations are further removed from the farm, but that wasn’t something that I wanted. I wanted to be someone that still promoted agriculture. That’s why I love the rodeo side of things, because my grandpa passed that down to is. We just continue to promote and compete in that ourselves.”

Part of that comes through sharing her passions with others. Many people – especially those in the cities – don’t have an understanding of how food products are grown and developed. Her place in agriculture is also one of education, and it’s an important part of the process at the state fair.

“I think educating everyone about agriculture starts in the classroom,” Lancaster said. “I think the more you can get involved in FFA or just taking nutrition classes teaches you more about what you’re consuming and where it comes from. It’s not just food product, but if you ate anything, if you wore clothes, if you’ve written on a piece of paper, most of the things you do are connected to agriculture or animal byproducts.”

Having curiosity offers a chance to learn and gain insight on something like agriculture and how it plays into everyday life. She loves being able to point people in the right direction and answer questions like that during the fair.

“What both my sisters and me do aren’t all the same, but we are all connected to agriculture in different ways,” she said. “Just being able to use my knowledge and skills for our operation as well as what I do now is important to me.”

A mindset like that is why industry leaders recognize the value Lancaster adds to the Utah State Fair.