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8A – Daily News – Saturday, October 16, 2010 Agriculture & farm I was in Rapid City, for the National Beef Ambas- sador Competition the first of October hosted by the South Dakota CattleWomen and American National CattleWomen. As I flew in, I was amazed at the number of sparkling stock ponds filled with water, and when we were lower you could see how green the grasses and weeds were. They told me they had had much rain this summer and fall. No frost yet, either. We had 18 senior youth competing for National Beef Ambassador and the opportunity to speak to industry issues and miscon- ceptions, while educating peers and others about food safety, nutrition and the Beef Checkoff Program at consumer events, in the classroom and online. I will miss seeing the 2010 National Beef Ambas- sadors at national meetings and reading about their lat- est adventures at the Boston Marathon, the New York State Fair, or in Washington D.C. They were Malorie Bankhead, Calif.; Ellen Hoffschneider, NE; Jackson Alexander, OK; Mandy-Jo Lau- rent, TX and Becky Vraspir, WY. 2011 National Beef Ambassador Team will be Jes- sica Sweet, Liver- more, Calif.; Madlynn Ruble, Albert Lea, Minn., Austin Joyce, Pearland, Texas, Kelli Fulk- erson, Burlington, Mich. and Kristen Stufft, Lewistown, Penn. Contestants were judged in the areas of consumer pro- motion, classroom presen- tation, media interview technique and issues response. ranch Beef Ambassador Competition Courtesy photo California Beef Ambassadors, junior Miriam Cowley, 2010 National Beef Ambassador Malorie Bankhead and 2011 National Beef Ambassador Jessica Sweet at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Jean Barton media training. After the event, as youth ambas- sadors they will educate their peers and others about food safety, nutrition and the Beef Checkoff Program at consumer events, in the classroom and online in their home states. We had an opportunity to watch the con- sumer event where four cat- tlewomen pre- tended to be con- sumers when offered a sample of beef brisket. One asked if the product was organic and wor- ried about antibi- otics, another said her doctor told her to cut out red meat, while one ques- While preparing for this national beef promotion and education competition, youth across the nation learn about beef and the beef industry within their family and with support from state CattleWomen, Cattlemen’s associations and state beef councils. The preparation highlights industry issues of current consumer interest. Winners of the state competitions compete at the national level receiving additional tioned if turkey was healthi- er than beef, and the response was that there are 29 lean cuts of beef. We all laughed when the consumer said her husband said she couldn’t cook, and the contestant smiled and shared that she couldn’t cook either, but this product was precooked and all she had to do was follow the directions for heating, add a salad and some rolls and he would think she could cook. Also competing were Cheyenne Robinson, Ari- zona; Olivia Foster, Arkansas; Christopher Campbell, GA; Samatha Yantis, Louisiana; Jessica Wilkinson, Mississippi; Sydney Gehl, Nebraska; Kyra Grant, New Mexico; Emily Rachel Bell, North Carolina; Camrie Claassen, Oregon; Emmanuel Bankston, South Carolina; Taylor Geppert, South Dakota; Makala Settlage, West Virginia and Ashley Kalco, Wyoming. We could also watch the Media Interview when two reporters asked the contes- tants what is a National Beef Ambassador? Why choose beef in a healthy diet? Organic vs conven- tional beef, Family farms vs factory farms and livestock production contributes to global warming. They were questions that we adults would have been stumbling in answering. New this year was a junior contest for 12 to 16 year old contestants. They gave a five minute speech we could watch, and then had a personal interview when we were asked to leave the room. First was Kaley Nolz, a 14-year-old from South Dakota whose sister is Amanda Nolz, a past National Beef Ambassador. Second was another South Dakota girl, Erin Mairose, and third to Libbi Loos of Nebraska. Also competing were Miriam Cowley of Montague, California, Jor- dan Harrison of Georgia, Jenna White of Minnesota, Kelsey Repenning of South Dakota and Ashlyn West of Wyoming. At the welcome dinner we watched Jasmine Pickn- er, a member of the Crow Creek Lakota Tribe and a champion Hoop Dancer as she showed us how she danced with the many hoops. There was Indian Fry Bread with Wpojapi, an Indian berry pudding for all the visitors to taste. Gloria Schaefer was the welcome dinner guest speaker, and she was a story teller, motivator, and team builder telling the beef ambassadors that they make a difference to their family, community and the beef industry. Teamwork makes a difference, but only you can step forth and share your talents. Following the day of competition, we boarded busses so everyone could see Mt. Rushmore National Memorial up close. Bill and I had visited Mt. Rushmore five years ago when the National Beef Cook-Off was held in Rapid City, and we were there later in the evening with the cook-off contestants. After hearing about the four presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jef- ferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and taking many pictures we boarded the busses for the Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Show. The six musicians played every- thing from old western songs to rock and roll. I finally experienced the frustrations travelers experi- ence when the travel plans don‚t go as scheduled. Kendra, Shay and Jenny were two or three hours late when they flew to Washing- ton DC last summer. We were waiting for them at Reagan Airport since our plane got in as scheduled. I had a reservation for 12:45 p.m. from Rapid City to Salt Lake City, with the Georgia and Mississippi folks. 12:45 came and went, and no mention of why or what happened to our plane. Finally a person came up to where we were waiting, and started trying to get us on later connecting planes since it was evident I wouldn‚t make the 3:15 from SLC to Sacramento. My travel companions were trying to get to Atlanta, and some were sent to SLC and others went to Minneapolis. We finally boarded the plane at 2:20 for SLC. The 5 p.m. plane to Sacramento was over- booked, so my standby sta- tus was a laugh, but they did give me a $6 meal voucher. Finally at 9:55 p.m. I left Salt Lake City. Got home at 1 a.m. instead of before sun- down. Still, I was glad I went because the 2011 26 Beef Ambassadors were all so passionate about the beef industry, it makes you feel good. Jean Barton can be reached at jbarton@theskybeam.com. Kids Planting Class October 30th @ 10am Please call to reserve a seat Oh Snap! The Daily News wants your photos: Cute kids, Adorable pets, Inspirational sights, Any shot you think readers would enjoy LIC #808524 Call For Free Information Toll-Free (800) 464-1403 or (530) 365-1403 6183 MEISTER WAY ANDERSON, CA 96007 (530) 365-1403 (800) 464-1403 Red Bluff Garden Center 527-0886 766 Antelope Blvd. (next to the fairgrounds) You might just see it in the Daily News Send pictures to editor@redbluffdailynews.com or drop off at 545 Diamond Ave. in Red Bluff. Include a caption. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. 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Angus breeders across the nation in 2010 registered 297,087 head of Angus cattle. “Our year-end statistics continue to demonstrate strong demand for Angus genetics and solidify our long-held position as a leader in the beef cattle indus- try,” Schumann said. “These results underscore our members’ commitment to providing genetic solutions to the beef cattle industry.” The American Angus Association, headquartered in Saint Joseph, Mo. is the largest beef registry associa- tion in the world in terms of both annual registrations and active members. For more information about the Angus breed go to www.angus.org.