Contact:            Jackie Buehner              303-850-3442                 j.buehner@beef.org

Outstanding CattleWoman of the Year Named

DENVER (February 9, 2006) - Vicky Fick of Lake City, Minn., was named the Outstanding CattleWoman of the Year for 2005, during the American National CattleWomen, Inc. awards banquet in Denver. Bayer Corporation sponsored the award, which is given to a cattlewoman who has excelled at continued beef promotion on the local, state, and national level, while contributing dedication, commitment and support to the American National CattleWomen.

Vicky is an active member of the Minnesota CattleWomen and the American National CattleWomen, Inc., having served both organizations in various leadership positions. She chaired the Beef Cook-Off program in Minnesota for eight years, during which time she led the program through changes initiated at the national level, while still maintaining a strong and vital contest at the state level.

A great promoter of beef, Vicki has appeared at many health fairs, promoting healthy eating and beef’s role in a healthy diet. Vicky’s strongest passion is for beef education. While she has been a classroom presenter for over 15 years, she reached over 1,900 students in 13 different schools in just a single year. In addition to classroom presentations, she is a certified trainer for the Food, Land and People program, and conducts workshops for teachers using this curriculum. 

As a board member for Minnesota Ag in the Classroom, Vicky was instrumental in successfully securing state funding for the program when it was in danger of being cut due to budget constraints. She served on the Minnesota Beef Council from 1984 to 2003, and was the secretary from 1987 to 2003.  She is highly respected by past and present council members for her professionalism, problem solving, communication and team building skills. She served two terms on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and was elected to the Executive Committee and the Operating Committee.

Vicky and her husband, Emery, operate a medium-sized family farm in southeastern Minnesota, where they raise crops and commercial beef cattle. They have initiated a number of conservation practices to help preserve and enhance their land.

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The American National CattleWomen, Inc., is one of the longest standing cattle women organizations, established in 1952 as a national, nonprofit organization.  It is a voice for women who share a passion for the U.S. beef industry, promoting and supporting the industry while encouraging women involved in beef and related agribusiness.