Florida youth tapped as National Beef Ambassador

Oct 10, 2006 4:11 PM

Mathew Peebles, Silver Springs, FL, has won the title of 2007 National Beef Ambassador at the annual competition, held Oct. 5-7 in Minneapolis, MN. He is a member of Future Farmers of America, and the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association. He enjoys promoting the beef industry, raising cattle and team roping. Peebles’ career plans are to become a veterinarian.

The National Beef Ambassador competition was established on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils by the American National CattleWomen, Inc. (ANCW). Twenty contestants from throughout the country vied for the national title and $5,000 in cash prizes sponsored exclusively by Tyson Foods, Inc.

Peebles received $2,500 cash and a $1,000 college scholarship. Second place went to Amanda Rankin, Caliente, CA, who received $1,200 and a $750 scholarship. Third-place winner JoAnna Strom, Beresford, SD, received $800 and a $500 scholarship. Christie Molinaro, Pennsylvania, and Londa Johnson, Minnesota, received $250 each as honorable-mention awards.

In the national competition, contestants give a 5- to 6-minute speech and have a one-on-one interview with a judge. Their speech focuses on why beef is good for you and why beef should be in your diet.

The National Beef Ambassador Program was conceived in 1988 by ANCW. In 1990, the Cooperative Extension, National 4-H Program accredited the competition as a national event. In 1995, ANCW received beef-checkoff funding from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to expand the program, which today involves youth ages 16-19. For more information about the program, visit http://www.nationalbeefambassador.org.

Subscribe to American Cowman Update e-newsletter!

Breaking industry news in your e-mail inbox every other week!
Subscribe at http://subscribe.americancowman.com/subscribe.cfm.