“It’s exciting to see other people my age who are as passionate about the beef industry as I am,” said Swett, who was named South Dakota’s Beef Ambassador this past summer. Swett, along with 20 other young people, participated in the national speaking competition where youth learn about the importance of the beef industry and beef as an agricultural product.
Contestants presented a speech about the promotional aspects of beef, completed interviews with media and beef-industry representatives, and attended a beef checkoff-funded educational workshop titled “Telling the Beef Production Story.”
Caitlin Williams, Tucson, Ariz., won the title of 2008 National Beef Ambassador held Oct. 18-20. Williams took home $2,500 cash and a $1,000 college scholarship. A total of $5,000 in cash prizes sponsored exclusively by Tyson Foods, Inc. was given. Three educational scholarships totaling $2,250 were also presented by the American National CattleWomen Foundation, Inc. Second place went to Jennifer Rassler, Kempton, Penn., who received $1,200 and a $750 scholarship. Third place winner Leticia Varelas, Hope, N.M., received $800 and a $500 scholarship. Michelle Wiggley, Calif., and Beth Wood, Wyo., received $250 each as honorable mention awards.
Swett, who grew up on a cattle operation near Platte, said that even though she didn’t come home with a national title, she did return more confident in her ability to help spread the positive story of beef to consumers in South Dakota. She’ll be doing just that as she fulfills her role as the state’s Beef Ambassador over the next several months. Active in college track and cross country, Swett also plans to participate in running events that will help promote beef nationally.
She encourages other youth to participate in the Beef Ambassador program. “It’s an excellent program,” says Swett. “We need to get more youth involved in South Dakota. Not only is it a wonderful opportunity, but young people bring a real energy when talking about the beef product and industry.”
The Beef Ambassador competition was established on behalf of cattle producers in 1988 and is funded by the beef checkoff. The South Dakota competition is sponsored by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council, and hosted by the South Dakota CattleWomen.
To find out more about the National Beef Ambassador program, go to www.nationalbeefambassador.org For information on the South Dakota program, contact Ruth Ann Farnsworth at 605-879-2497.
