Checkoff Education Program for Girl Scouts Gets High Marks

NASHVILLE (January 29, 2003) – A checkoff-funded program designed to reach girls ages 8-11 through the Junior Girl Scouts won high marks from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the Joint Evaluation Advisory Committee. 

The new “Fit for a Princess” nutrition and physical activity program was developed on behalf of the Beef Board and state beef councils by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). It showcased to more than 10,000 Girls Scouts and their leaders at the Girl Scout USA National Convention and the Association of Girl Scout Executive last year, and is part of the industry’s effort to increase understanding of nutritional contributions of beef among this important audience. The program is being distributed nationwide by the NCBA and dozens of state councils.

“At a time when the beef industry is trying to focus its resources, the Girl Scout program appears to offer a perfect opportunity to do so,” according to the written evaluation of the effort. “The chances for success also are increased by the close working relationship that has developed between the state and national beef industry staffs involved with the program.”

Stephen Worley, a beef producer from Hampshire, Tenn., and chairman of the Joint Evaluation Advisory Committee, said the program is not only very popular with producers and staff at state councils but also fits the needs of Girl Scout programs and the national beef industry, as well.

“Everybody definitely gets something of value out of this program,” Worley says. “This checkoff-funded effort was well thought out and has hit a very positive chord with all parties involved.”

 “Fit for a Princess” addresses the fact that girls in this age group do not get enough zinc or iron, based on USDA data.  In addition, USDA statistics indicate that only 13 percent of girls this age eat the minimum number of servings from the meat group per day. That figure only increases to 26 percent for girls in the 12-19 age category. At the same time, only half of sixth graders in the U.S. get enough physical activity – with girls even less active than boys.

“We’re pleased that the evaluation shows that this program is valuable,” said Gary Sharp, a beef producer from Bath, S.D. and chairman of the Joint Youth Education and Information Committee. “There has certainly been huge demand for it from both states and Girl Scouts. And we believe it serves the needs of girls in terms of their activity levels and nutrition. With it, everybody wins.” 

Testing in three states of an initial printing of the activity confirms that this educational effort for beef has been successful in reaching the audience. Before participating in the activity, 50 percent of girls tested said they believed beef was a healthy food. After participating, 73 percent said it was their opinion that beef was a healthy food. 

More than 2.7 million girls in the country are members of Girl Scouts and Junior Girl Scouts, in addition to its 860,000 adult members.

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The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which oversees the national checkoff program, subject to USDA oversight. The checkoff assessment became mandatory when the program was approved by 79 percent of producers in a 1988 national referendum vote. Checkoff revenues may be used for promotion, education and research programs to improve the marketing climate for beef.

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