WESTMORELAND, N.Y. — The New York Beef Council (NYBC) was pleased to participate in the Annual NYS FFA Convention, held on the SUNY Morrisville campus, May 11-13th. The Beef Checkoff funded Masters of Beef Advocacy Program was designed to equip beef producers, including our youth and industry allies, with the information they need to be everyday advocates for the beef industry. This year the NYBC encouraged agriculture instructors throughout the state to incorporate this free, online program into their coursework. Three chapters will be awarded $500.00 checks for their completion of the program. Students from Penn Yan FFA and Marcus Whitman FFA were present at the state meeting to accept their award. One student from Marcus Whitman FFA expressed, “I thought it was cool, seeing what it’s like and what everything is about. I learned a lot from this.” Over 30 Sullivan County BOCES Career and Tech Animal Science Program students also participated in the program.
NYBC Director of Industry Relations and Consumer Promotions, Katherine Brosnan, exhibited in the two-day Expo, “As an FFA Alumni it is fantastic to see so many students interested in agriculture, their excitement and dedication is contagious.” Brosnan promoted other NYBC activities aimed at youth throughout convention including the 2nd Annual “Build the Best Burger Contest” which will be held on Beef Day, August 29th, at the New York State Fair. Ten FFA chapters are invited to compete in this fun event. Each team will receive 1.5lbs of ground beef and four buns. Each team is allowed to bring one “secret ingredient” and “plan” their recipe in a first grab, first keep market basket ingredient offering. The grand prize is a $500 check with additional second and third place prizes all totally $875.00. “This event was a huge success last year and we are excited to host the competition again this year. It is a great, fun way for students to get creative and explore cooking with beef”, Jean O’Toole, NYBC Executive Director.
If you have any questions about NYBC activities please contact Katherine Brosnan, kbrosnan@nybeef.org or call 315-339-6922.
—New York Beef Council
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