About The Officers

2024 - 2025 HCCW Officers

L - R - Dani Scott, Daniella Dye, Brittany Huston, Melissa Simmons

President Melissa Simmons

Hey there, my name is Melissa Simmons, I was born and raised in Central Florida, where I had the privilege of growing up in Agriculture, riding and training horses since I could barely walk. I was active in showing horses in many disciplines through my younger and teenage years. We had always raised chickens for eggs and the occasional steer for the freezer.

I graduated from Hernando High School in 2004, after being involved in FFA the whole time. I started my family just after High School with my best friend and husband, Mike Simmons. We have 3 kids who have all at one time had an interest in livestock and agriculture. I currently help manage a large horse facility alongside my mother, and have a small private farm at home. We raise a steer and pig each year for meat and chickens for eggs, and I continue my passion of raising horses.

I have been a co-leader with Pure Country 4-H Club for going on 10 years now. I was drawn into the cattle industry by my daughter who wanted to show steer for as long as she can remember. After a couple years I was convinced to go to a couple meetings for Cattlewomen. I very quickly joined so I could help and learn.

I have a passion for helping community and youth in any field, but agriculture is definitely at the top. After 4 years of watching how amazing Cattlewomen are, volunteering and learning, I was so thrilled to be elected as an officer. I had a big part in starting the Show Cattle Clinic Series and absolutely love hosting. I am ecstatic with how far HCCW has come over the last several years, and pray I can keep the stride.

Vice President Elect Dani Scott

Hi, my name is Dani Scott, I was born and raised in Portland, OR where I enjoyed riding hunters and jumpers before moving to Florida in 1999. I completed my BS in Business Management at the University of Tampa and then continued on to get my MBA in Marketing graduating in 2003. I am an entrepreneur at heart and started working at horse shows all over the US as a horse show secretary upon graduation. In 2015 I retired from Central Florida Hunter Jumper Association and started Homosassa Vacation Rentals in Homosassa, FL, where I own and manage vacation rentals. When I am not working in Homosassa, I am raising beef cattle and show pigs in Brooksville, FL at our family farm - The Scott Farm. I find joy in selling steers and pigs to local 4-H and FFA youth. My two boys are very active in showing cattle and pigs and they enjoy weekends at shows. I am a big supporter of the youth in Agriculture in Hernando County and like to give back to them when I can. I helped to initiate and put on the Hernando County Cattlewomen Show Cattle Series each year and enjoy volunteering for ag related endeavors.

Secretary - Daniella Dye

Hello, My name is Daniella Dye, I grew up in a suburban area, but was lucky to spend vacations with my grandparents in rural NY. That’s when my love of more natural living was born. It was great to see small farms that were pivotal parts of the communities around them. Among other things I learned about cattle and what it means to be farm-to-table. I’m proud to be a part of Hernando County Cattlewomen to give opportunities to the local youth and build relationships in our area.

Treasurer - Brittany huston

Greetings! My name is Brittany Huston. I have been involved with cattle since I was 4 years old. I started with dairy cattle in New Jersey at my families dairy. I showed Brown Swiss, Holsteins, and Jerseys. Jerseys were my favorite of the dairy breeds. I assisted in the milk parlor as best as a small child could and majority of the cows were accustomed to my younger cousins and I running around the sand lots.

I moved to Florida at the age of 8 where we discovered dairy was less popular than beef cattle. I began showing a bottle fed steer here in Hernando County. From there I continued to show market steers and eventually began showing Angus cattle and commercial heifers. I was a member of 4-H from birth as my mom was a 4-H leader until I graduated in 2009 from Hernando High, where I also was apart of Brooksville Senior FFA chapter.

After graduating I had a pause from cattle. Since then I have worked as an x-ray tech and medical assistant at an orthopedic office and with a spine specialist. These days I am a stay at home mom with my daughter Morgan who is in her third year of 4-H and second year showing cattle, and my son Eddie, who is only a toddler, but already expresses a love of cows and enjoys walking them with assistance and doing work with them.

Currently, we mostly raise meat and show rabbits and exhibition poultry. I also assist with our 4-H club Jolly Ranchers and work with the youth of Florida State Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association. I offer my help to any youth that asks with any species I am familiar with which is mostly cattle, rabbit, swine, and poultry.