About the contest
The Beef Ambassador contest teaches youth about the importance of the beef industry and about beef as an agricultural product. The program highlights the positive impact the cattle industry has on our economy and families. Trained youth ambassadors address industry issues and misconceptions, while helping educate peers, consumers, and producers about food safety, nutrition, and the beef checkoff program.
Beef Ambassadors located across the nation go into classrooms, daycares, after school programs, and attend youth organization activities. During these visits, Beef Ambassadors share their personal experiences with beef and information about the beef industry, including industry messages on nutrition, animal welfare, environment, and other key topics.
The Beef Ambassador contest is conducted on a local, state, and national level. The contest has several components including a mock media interview, a mock consumer promotion event, a brief written response to a current issue in the beef industry, and a minimum of 5 social media posts related to the Beef industry on the California Beef Ambassadors Instagram page. The national level of competition also includes an education and outreach category.
Every year, junior and senior Beef Ambassadors are selected from each region (Northern, Central, and Southern Regions), making a total of 3 Junior and 3 Senior Beef Ambassadors across the state.
More information, including a complete set of rules, can be found on the California Cattlewomen's website.
our senior aes beef ambassadors
Teagan wunschel
Teagan wunschel
Teagan wunschel
Tell us about a current topic in the Beef Industry and why it is important to you.
One current topic in the beef industry that's important to me is the growing popularity of plant based meat due to misleading information on beef nutrition and handling. Growing concerns about the impacts that red meat has on your health and the environment, as well as a negative perception on how beef is raised, have swayed people to go plant based more often. By communicating better on what the nutrition and health benefits of beef are and how we safely and humanely handle our cattle we can stop the hate towards beef and help save it instead.
RILEY RISTROM
Teagan wunschel
Teagan wunschel
How can you promote the beef industry?
One way I plan on promoting the beef industry is by educating young students about our dependance on beef products. I will explain where their food comes from and the hard work it takes to go from “farm to fork”. I will also teach these students about all the other essential beef byproducts. Another way I can promote the beef industry is by addressing common misconceptions. After participating in the Masters of Beef Advocacy course, I learned new ways to answer these concerns. I now know to first listen to the person with the concerns, then politely educate them about the values and hard work the beef industry upholds. I am passionate about this industry, and I will do my best to ensure it gets the support and appreciation it deserves.
our aes junior beef ambassadors
brooklyn whalen
garrett wunschel
garrett wunschel
Please describe your involvement and interest in the beef industry and your agricultural background.
I am currently in the process of raising my market steer that I got back in October. This is my first year showing beef. I have always been interested in the cattle industry and finally had the opportunity to start somewhere in 2022. I am only a sophomore in high school so this is a huge opportunity that I have enjoyed every second of. I’ve been to four jackpots so far this year, and each show I have learned so much. I will be attending the Spring Clash for Cash, State Fair, and then our county fair! At each show I’ve watched how each judge is incredibly different and how each little thing is so important on these cattle. I have grown up here in Amador County and have owned multiple horses. My mom was Miss Clements Stampede back in her days. Growing up being around all the animals was always something I’ve loved. I'm one of those girls who is always out in the barn. I take what I have very seriously and am 100% dedicated to what I do.
garrett wunschel
garrett wunschel
garrett wunschel
How can you promote the beef industry?
I think that I would be very good at promoting the beef industry because I come from an agricultural background and would be able to tell people and express how important the beef industry is. One way I advocate for beef now is by answering questions people have about the steers I raise for beef. People think beef just comes from feedlots and is full of hormones and antibiotics. By explaining to them how and why we use medicines, what we feed our animals, how we handle our animals, I can better promote an understanding of how beef is raised.