The Arizona Beef Council is proud to announce the results of the inaugural year of the FFA Masters of Beef Advocacy Contest.    

In 3rd place, winning $50, is Emily Herrera from the Basha FFA Chapter. In 2nd, winning $150, from the Canyon View FFA Chapter is Katherine Johnson. In 1st place, winning $300, from the Trivium FFA Chapter is Emerson Hobson (pictured above). A hearty congratulations to the winners and all participants!   

Students were tasked with completing the Masters of Beef Advocacy program, an educational spokesperson development program developed by the Beef Checkoff. It is a free, self-guided online course that provides farmers, ranchers, service providers, consumers, and all members of the beef community the tools and resources to become a beef advocate and answer tough questions about beef and raising cattle. Then students put their learnings into action by developing a presentation plan, conducting a presentation with consumers about beef, and then writing a reflective essay on the topic.   

Making this contest a reality took the help of many who we'd like to acknowledge. Thank you to the Westwood High School advisors for the suggestion. A special thank you to all the teachers who participated in our workshop and brainstorming session at last summer’s teacher conference. A very sincere thank you to Dr. Amber Rice and the University of Arizona Agricultural Education department for her advice, templates, and rubrics. Also, thank you to our judges Lauren Maehling, executive director of the Arizona Beef Council, Ali Schindler, director of communications of the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association, and Paul Dybedahl, associate director, grassroots advocate engagement of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. And, of course, we can’t forget the Arizona beef farmers and ranchers' Beef Checkoff that makes possible beef education and promotion programs.    

The winners of this contest will join the Arizona Beef Council staff on a one-on-one beef cattle industry tour. Thank you to our cash prize sponsors: the Arizona Cattle Feeders' Association and the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group.   

The 2024 contest will open in August of 2023.

Photos courtesy of Tammie Zimmerman

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About the Arizona Beef Council 

The Arizona Beef Council is a non-profit organization served by a nine-member board of directors representing cattle growers, cattle feeders, and dairy farmers, and are appointed by the Governor of Arizona. These volunteers oversee Arizona’s beef checkoff and checkoff-funded programs.