Beef Ambassador Team announced at Expo
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 11/07/2011 4:08 PM
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FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. – The 2011-2012 Minnesota Beef Ambassador Team was announced Oct. 22 at Minnesota Beef Expo.
This year's senior winner is Erin Morrison, 17, of Belle Plaine. Senior members are Allison VanDerWal, 16, of Sanborn, Laura Schoneman, 18, of Bingham Lake and Kelly Morrison, 16, of Belle Plaine. The junior winner is Jenna White, 15, of Wadena.
They will educate the public about beef nutrition, food safety and farming practices during the year.
"Beef is always going to be a safe and nutritious product," said Schoneman. "We'll strive to tell our story to consumers."
The CattleWomen organized the contest held Oct. 20 at the state fairgrounds to select team members. The program, formerly called the Minnesota Beef Spokesperson Team, is open to ages 13-19.
"I think they're all going to be great," said Minnesota CattleWomen president Penny Zimmerman. "They all seem to be outgoing young women."
Twelve people applied this year, Zimmerman said. The competition involved a mock media interview, writing a response to an article with a negative beef message and a mock classroom presentation. Judges assessed the contestants' ability to tell a positive message about beef production.
Colleen Zenk, director of nutrition and consumer information for Minnesota Beef Council, will coordinate the team's activities.
The group plans to start a Facebook page, work at the Moo Booth during the Minnesota State Fair and attend the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association convention in December. They will also speak about beef in their local areas.
Schoneman wanted to be on the team because she realized how little people in her county knew about the beef industry. Educating consumers is important because it can encourage them to buy more beef, said VanDerWal.
The Morrison sisters and White were on the team last year. This is White's third year participating and her second year as the junior winner.
"I was shocked at how little consumers know," Erin said of her first year on the team.
All members have first-hand experience with beef production. The Morrisons have a 70-head registered Shorthorn herd and VanDerWal's family runs a 700-head commercial feedlot. Schoneman's family has approximately 30 head of red and black Angus stock cows and they background calves while White's family has about 80 head of South Devons.
They all plan to have agricultural careers. Erin would like to work with feed or chemicals. Kelly is considering a position in ag business. VanDerWal hopes to become a beef scientist and Schoneman wants to work with farmers to help with nutrition or agronomy. White would like to be a graphic designer for an agricultural business.
All the team members receive scholarship prizes. Erin, as senior winner, receives $500 and White, as junior winner, will get $100.
Joe Martin, executive director of Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association, presented last year's senior winner, John Weber of St. Paul, with his $500 scholarship at this year's expo.