ROME, N.Y. — Thirty-five years ago beef farmers and ranchers set forth to establish a program designed to educate and promote on behalf of beef. Through this effort the Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. As stewards of Beef Checkoff dollars New York Beef Council, puts forth efforts daily to enhance the lives of consumers by connecting them with beef and the beef community.
The New York Beef Council staff works diligently to educate the 19.8 million consumers who call NY home. A daunting task at best and something certainly cannot achieve alone. No one is a more trusted voice and educator on how beef cattle are cared for and raised than the farmers who live it daily. Strong partnership with and support from our local producers is what makes the Beef Checkoff promotions and activities in NY so successful. The Beef Promoter of the Year is awarded to a farmer by NYBC, in recognition of extensive and varied activities in the industry focused on education and promotion efforts. The 2021 Beef Promoter of the Year is Chrissy and Cory Claudio.
Chrissy and Cory, along with their daughter Addison, work for O’Mara Farms where they manage a commercial black angus herd. The Claudios are first generation farmers who have truly jumped into this industry with wide eyes and both feet. For the last 5 years Chrissy and Cory have lived and worked on the Endless Trails Farm and Guesthouse property in Hubbardsville, NY where they care for the growing beef herd. Throughout their years on the farm the operation continues to expand with a record number of 150 calves born this Spring and additional grazing land.
For the last two and half years Chrissy has worked to share beef information by providing farm updates and allowing her followers on the @OmaraFarms Instagram page to get a glimpse at the big and small daily tasks it takes to raise a beef animal. Followers are regularly invited to ask questions and follow along as their favorite calves grow and thrive at O’Mara Farms.
Chrissy is an active alumna of the Masters of Beef Advocacy program and graduate of the New York Top Advocate training. Chrissy’s passion for what she does and care for her animals is easy to see and feel which has made the multiple virtual farm field trips to O’Mara Farms a success. The New York Beef Council has partnered with the New York Agriculture in the Classroom program to tour O’Mara Farms multiple times which has allowed students from all across the state to visit a beef farm without ever leaving their classroom. Tours of O’Mara Farms have been viewed over 5000 times!
Jean O’Toole, NYBC Executive Director shared, “Chrissy’s positive and “up-for-anything” attitude is a great asset. 2020 was an unprecedented year with in-person events and farm tours cancelled NYBC quickly turned to social media to connect directly with consumers. Chrissy was one of the first to step up to engage with followers of the NYBC platforms through participation in Farmer Friday updates and Instagram takeovers.”
Chrissy has even grown to share her beef knowledge beyond the pasture by welcoming social media followers into her kitchen to cook with beef. Chrissy works to share beef information that paints the entire beef industry in a positive light highlighting nutrition and sustainability facts. Chrissy is a positive role model and advocate of our industry and unselfishly assists NYBC in the promotion of the industry to influencers 3-4 times removed from the life she, Cory and Addison live.
To learn more about New York Beef Council and Beef Checkoff funded activities happening in New York visit www.nybeef.org.
–New York Beef Council
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