The future of our society can be viewed in the young people that will be the leaders of tomorrow.  In animal agriculture, some of these leaders come through the Beef Ambassador Program, which is managed for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board by the American National CattleWomen. 

The checkoff-funded effort selects five young people through a speaking and presentation competition to represent the beef industry across the country at various events.  One of the ambassadors this year is Peter Sharpe (SHARP-ee), whose family has a registered Angus operation near Arlington, Minnesota.  Peter says it was his older sister’s participation in the competition that encouraged him to become a beef ambassador. 

Cut #1         :22          Outcue: "...a great opportunity."

Though he likes public speaking, it isn’t Peter’s biggest enjoyment from participation in the program.

Cut #2         :11          Outcue: "...those specific concerns."

Peter’s biggest goal from program participation is knowledge.

Cut #3         :10          Outcue: "...promoting of beef."

Talking to consumers is only one side of the effort.

Cut #4         :17          Outcue: "...the industry itself."

According to Peter, others his age in the agricultural community need to take a look at the Beef Ambassador Program.

Cut #5         :09          Outcue: "...it’s a lot of fun."

The Beef Ambassador program is funded by America’s beef producers through the Beef Checkoff Program.  The Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Beef Ambassador Program is managed for the Beef Board by the American National CattleWomen.

The national Beef Checkoff Program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, a group of 108 beef producers appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.  They represent producers from coast-to-coast and volunteer their time to help identify programs that can help increase beef demand.  The checkoff was created in the 1985 Farm Bill, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle and a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.

The American National CattleWomen, Inc. is a trade association of America's affiliated CattleWomen, with the primary focus of promotion and consumer education regarding beef as a safe and nutritious food, and the production of beef cattle as an industry.