Five young women were selected to the 2014 National Beef Ambassador Team in recent competition held in Springdale, AR, and funded in part by the beef checkoff. During the coming year, the youth ambassadors (17-21 years of age) will appear at consumer events, in classrooms, and visit online and elsewhere about the beef industry and misconceptions, as well as educate their peers and meal‐time decision makers about beef nutrition, cattle care, safety and more.

Named to the 2014 team were Tori Summey (Arizona), Emma Morris (California), Sierra Jepsen (Ohio), Rachael Wolters (Tennessee), and Justana Von Tate (Texas). The national competition included a field of 22 state winners who were judged in the areas of consumer promotion, education and outreach strategy, media interview technique and issues response at the event held in Springdale, AR.

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 Farm Credit. Additionally five educational scholarships totaling $5,000 were given by the American National CattleWomen Foundation, Inc. and Monsanto.

Rachael Wolters (Tennessee), Emma Morris (California), Tori Summey (Arizona), Sierra Jepsen (Ohio), Justana Von Tate (Texas)

This year’s contest also hosted a junior competition for youth beef industry advocates ages 12‐16. Twelve contestants vied for cash prizes, competing in three judged categories: consumer promotion, media interview technique, and issues response. The first-place winner was Katelin Spradley (New Mexico). The second-place winner was Madison Martin (Tennessee), and the third-place winner was Phillip Saunders (Virginia). They all took home checks sponsored exclusively by Farm Credit for their top scores.

While preparing for this national beef promotion and education competition, youth across the nation learn about beef and the beef industry with support from state CattleWomen and 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 where they receive additional training.

You can follow the National Beef Ambassadors on Twitter at @beefambassador and visit www.nationalbeefambassador.org or www.ancw.org for more information.

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