SD Beef Council Hires Dietician

PIERRE (February 1, 2008)—In an effort to reach consumers and the health community with the message of beef’s positive role in a nutritious diet, the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) has hired its first Director of Nutrition.
          Holly Swee, a registered dietician and licensed nutritionist, stepped into the new position at the end of January. “With today’s concerns about health and obesity, it’s very important that we have a professional who can reach doctors, nurses and others in the medical field with science-based information about the nutritional value of beef,” says SDBIC President Bob Fortune. “Holly has the knowledge and connections among health and nutrition influencers to start off running, and we’re very excited to have her on board.”
          A graduate of Mount Marty College in Nutrition and Food Science, Swee received her dietician and nutritionist credentials in 2002. She interned in nutrition education positions, and most recently served as healthcare account manager for U.S. Foodservice, working with two of South Dakota’s major healthcare providers. She is a member of both the American Dietetics Associations and the South Dakota Dietetics Association.
          In addition to her qualifications in nutrition, Fortune says Swee’s knowledge and passion for the beef industry make her a natural fit for the new position. Swee grew up on a livestock operation near Kimball, S.D., showing and judging cattle and participating in the South Dakota Beef Cook-off competition. She and her husband Troy continue to raise cattle outside of Beresford.
          Swee says she is anxious to put her experience and knowledge to work for South Dakota’s beef producers. “My primary focus is to begin fostering positive relationships with the medical community and nutrition educators,” says Swee. “With the constant media attention on health, it’s critical we communicate the message that beef is a nutrient-dense food that deserves to be incorporated in a healthy diet.”
          In addition to interacting with beef producers at the recent Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, and attending the Cattle Industry Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev. the first week in February, Swee has already met with representatives from the American Heart Association in South Dakota to discuss how the two organizations can more closely work together. She is also invited to attend the Avera PACE Conference in May.    Fortune says those interactions are just the beginning. SDBIC directors, he explains, believe this position is an excellent investment of checkoff dollars.
          “When we developed the Beef Council’s strategic plan last year, the item that came to the top of our list was having a professional who could communicate our positive beef nutrition message to consumers in South Dakota,” says Fortune. “Holly’s knowledge of nutrition, her background in the beef industry, and work experience with the healthcare and foodservice sector makes her a great choice.” 
          South Dakotans can reach Swee by contacting the SDBIC office in Pierre at 605-224-4722.
          The SDBIC collects and administers the $1 Beef Checkoff on cattle sold in South Dakota. Checkoff dollars are utilized strictly for promotion, education or research programs. Fifty cents of every dollar is directed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board for programs on the national level. The SDBIC retains 50 cents, which is invested in additional national programs or in-state programs.
          The SDBIC is comprised of three representatives from eight agricultural organizations: SD Beef Breeds Council, SD Cattlemen’s Association, SD Cattlemen’s Auxiliary, SD CattleWomen, SD Farm Bureau Federation, SD Farmers Union, SD Livestock Auction Market Association, and SD Stockgrowers Association.