Showing posts with label national beef ambassadors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label national beef ambassadors. Show all posts

Monday, October 4, 2010

A Great Weekend

Being involved with the National Beef Ambassador Contest this past weekend was a great time!  Eighteen of the most talented young leaders in the beef industry were in Rapid City to show off their knowledge and passion for this great segment of agriculture.  While every one of them would have done a fantastic job representing beef producers, the field was whittled down to five. 

Your 2011 National Beef Ambassadors are Kelli Fulkerson from Michigan, Maddy Ruble from Minnesota, Jessica Sweet from Callifornia, Austin Joyce from Texas, and Kristen Stufft from Pennsylvania.  I'm looking forward to following these great young leaders as they travel around the country telling the great story of agriculture and the beef industry. 

It was an honor to help judge this competition and to speak at the awards breakfast.  Hopefully we inspired the contestants as much as they inspired us over the weekend.  The future of our industry is in great hands.

Friday, October 1, 2010

National Beef Ambassadors Contest

This weekend have the distinct honor of being judges for the National Beef Ambassador contest being in Rapid City, SD.  If you are in the beef industry and aren't familiar with the Beef Ambassador program, you should be.  These young adults have always impressed us with their passion for agriculture and especially beef production. 

There is no doubt in my mind that the Beef Checkoff money (or lack thereof) for this program is returned to our industry ten-fold.  You can't buy the enthusiasm and dedication that we have seen year after year from these young leaders. 

Along with judging the competition, we will also get to share our story with everyone coming to the contest at the Sunday morning breakfast.  This generation of young producers will spend their entire ag careers knowing that educating consumers and telling their story are very important.  That's why I know our future is in good hands. 

For more information check out the National Beef Ambassador website. 

Monday, April 5, 2010

Penn State Students Host Meat-In Day

4th Annual Meat-In Day Encourages Students To Support Ag
04/01/2010 09:00AM
CattleNetwork.com

In keeping with tradition, Penn State students in the College of Agricultural Sciences once again joined forces to put on a showing of their support for animal agriculture. This year marked the 4th anniversary of Meat-In Day, an event originally started by Penn State Alumnus and former National Beef Ambassador Chris Molinaro (the National Beef Ambassador Team is funded in part by the beef checkoff).

On March 18, approximately 175 students from the College of Agriculture Sciences donned two different t-shirts to show their support around campus. And, members of four major college student organizations came to help with the event that was established as a proactive response to the Great American Meatout Day, which celebrated its 25th anniversary.

More than 1,700 pieces of beef jerky were handed out at the student union building as well as in the dinning commons area. The jerky was accompanied by educational flyers about the health benefits of beef.“

Students enthusiastically took pictures with the ever-popular Patty Melt,” says Allison Bardella, National Beef Ambassador Team member from Pennsylvania. “The students really enjoyed learning about what beef producers do on a daily basis to take their food from the pasture to plate.”

The National Beef Ambassador Program continues to provide an opportunity for youth to educate consumers and students about beef nutrition, food safety and stewardship practices of the beef industry through activities such as the Meat-In Day.

For more information about the Beef Ambassador Team, visit NationalBeefAmbassador.org. For more information about your checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com. Story Link

Too many times we tend to over-think how to advocate for agriculture. In my experience, the simplest strategies can be the most effective way to share your story. This is a great example of that. Congratulations to all of these college students and the National Beef Ambassadors for spending a day talking to their fellow students and giving them the opportunity to meet people who are directly involved in livestock care and food production. They have set a great example for others to follow.

Monday, October 19, 2009

2010 Beef Ambassadors

2010 National Beef Ambassadors announced
High Plains Journal, Oct 19, 2009

Ellen Hoffschneider, Arlington, Neb., Malorie Bankhead, Livermore, Calif., Rebecca Vraspir, Laramie, Wy., Jackson Alexander, Anadarko, Okla., and Mandy-Jo Laurent, Winnsboro, Texas were chosen as the 2010 National Beef Ambassador Team winners at the annual competition, funded in part by the beef checkoff, held Oct. 9 to 11 in Fort Smith, Ark. Contestants were judged in the areas of consumer promotion, classroom presentation, media interview technique and issues response.

Contestants from throughout the country vied for a place on this elite team of agriculture advocates and $5,000 in cash prizes sponsored exclusively by Groseta Ranches, LLC. Additionally five educational scholarships totaling $3,750 were given by the American National CattleWomen Foundation, Inc. For the past three years, one Beef Ambassador has been chosen for a prestigious USDA internship in Washington D.C.

While preparing for this national beef promotion and education competition, youth across the nation learn about beef and the beef industry within their family and with support from state CattleWomen, Cattlemen's associations and state beef councils. The preparation highlights industry issues of current consumer interest. Winners of the state competitions compete at the national level receiving additional media training. After the event, as youth ambassadors, they speak to industry issues and misconceptions, while educating peers and others about food safety, nutrition and the Beef Checkoff Program at consumer events, in the classroom and online.

Read more about the new Beef Ambassadors!

The Beef Ambassador program is a shining example of of not only the outstanding caliber of young people involved in beef production, but it also highlights the importance of actively promoting agriculture. These young adults will have a busy and exciting year ahead of them. As has been the case with previous ambassadors, we should expect to see great things from this group.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Beef Promoters

Beef Crosses Boston Marathon Finish Line A Winner

CENTENNIAL, Colo.) – During the three days leading up to the grueling 26.2-mile run, beef checkoff representatives were making sure runners were well equipped with the beef nutrition message at the Sports & Fitness Expo. Boston Marathon runners came to the Expo to pick up their numbers and registration packets -- an appropriate venue for beef and an opportunity to speak to the country and world’s most elite runners about lean beef as fuel for active bodies.

“Our efforts to spread the message about the benefits of lean beef really hit home with this active consumer audience,” says Emilie Miller, Director of Retail & Foodservice Relations for the NEBPI. “We heard comments such as ‘I was a vegetarian – up until an hour ago!’, ‘You just saved a runner’s body.’ and ‘I learned so much and feel much more confident about eating beef.’ Dedication begins on the farm with our producers and this spring in Boston, beef crossed the finish line a winner.” Read More

The National Beef Ambassadors and others in the beef industry were providing great information at the Boston Marathon. One of the best things that producers can do is to get out and interact with consumers to share the story of agriculture with them. I have had the great opportunity to do this on several occasions and it is always a great experience. Congratulations to all of those involved for telling their story.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Ambassadors tell their story

Beef Ambassadors commemorate Earth Day

Source: PRWEB

In honor of Earth Day, the 2008 National Beef Ambassadors, a group of young beef producers, are sharing a series of personal videos telling the story of today's family-owned and operated cattle ranches, and their efforts to protect the environment every day.

Each video presents a unique perspective on environmental stewardship and why it is essential to the integrity and the future viability of the cattle industry.

Earth Day is celebrated year-round by America's beef producers. Cattle ranchers across the country make a difference by protecting important land, water and air resources while helping to feed a growing population.

Read More

The National Beef Ambassador Program features some of our best and brightest involved in agriculture. I always urge people to go our and tell their story and that's exactly what the Ambassadors did. Congratulations to them and keep up the good work.