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PROGRAMS

** NOTE: Programs funded by Montana Beef Producers with Check-off dollars are identified below with the Beef Check Logo: placed in front of the program's name, and are either fully or partially funded by the Montana Beef Check-off. **

National Beef Cook-Off® - For more information about the National Beef Cook-off®, contact State Team Member Robin Kirscher via e-mail at Kirscher@montana.com .  The 2007 National Beef Cook-off was held in Chicago September 11-14, 2007.  Categories for this year's competition were: New Dynamic Beef Recipes, Nuevo Latino Beef Recipes, Kids in the Kitchen, and Small Plates, Big Taste Grilled for Everyday Entertaining.  Guest celebrity was Chef Spokesman, Guy Fieri, a chef and TV personality.  For more information about the National Beef Cook-off, contact State Team Member, Robin Kirscher via e-mail at Kirscher@montana.com .  For winning recipes, go to www.beefcookoff.org .  
2005 National Beef Cook-off® Schedule of Events

 

2007 Montana CattleWomen State Beef Cook-off - August 1, 2007 - , State Fair, Great Falls, MT. The winner for 2007 was Louise T. Hachigian.

Ten contestants presented versatile, nutritious and palate pleasing "Quick and Easy Beef Dishes" to the judges at the Montana CattleWomen Annual Adult Beef Cook-Off held at the Family Living Center during the Montana State Fair in Great Falls, August 1, 2007.  Contestants had to present a BEEF main dish that included a serving for four people with four ounces of beef per serving, using only six ingredients, not including spices or seasonings, and with a preparation time of 30 minutes or less.  Each contestant made her or his entire BEEF dish during the event.

First place winner of $150 was Louise Hachigan with her award-winning Cowboy Stuffed Peppers, second place winner of $75.00 was Alma Winberry with her Beef Tenderloin with Tomato Butter and third place winner of $50.00 was Judith Thurman with African Babooti.  All ten contestants presented BEEF to please the palate.

Before the contest began, the Montana CattleWomen presented a demo featuring two 2005 National Beef Cook-Off Recipes, Carnitas-Style Beef Tacos, from the Grilled Beef Category and Porcini-Dusted Steaks with Horseradish Crust, from the Inspired By Category, both recipes were made with the Flat Iron Steak.  Beef recipes and literature were available to the public while they sampled.

TheAdult Beef Cook-Off was made possible with funding from the Montana Beef Producers with their $1.00 per head check off dollars.  Paulette Keller, Past President, Montana CattleWomen chaired the event in cooperation with the Cascade County Extension and County Agent, Jona McNamee.

Beef Education in the Schools Program - Montana CattleWomen send out notices every fall to Family and Consumer Sciences classes around the state and offer beef education materials for classroom use as well as provide funds for beef purchases used in school labs - for students enrolled in each Family and Consumer Science program.
 
Statistics reported by
Beef Education Chair Wanda Pinnow

2006-2007
2005-2006
2004-2005
# Schools Receiving
    beef education materials

47
51
81
Pounds of beef purchased
    through the program

3,799
4,800
2,276
# Students beef reached in classroom
4,456
5,977
4,766

To receive more information on the program, contact Beef Education Chair-Wanda Pinnow, Box 39, Baker, MT 59313 (406-778-3519) cwpinnow@midrivers.com . This program receives project funding from the Montana Beef Council.
"Perfect Cheeseburger" - MCW provides the "Perfect Cheeseburger" Program to third grade classes in the state. CattleWomen present a hands-on program using a large cheeseburger pillow to demonstrate the nutritional value of a cheeseburger, and how it fits in the food guide pyramid. The students receive educational funding from the Montana Beef Council. To receive more information on the program, contact Chairperson Paulette Keller via e-mail at pkeller@ttc-cmc.net .
Crock of Beef Program - MCW sponsor a crock pot, beef roasts, and vegetables for the graduation classes conducted by Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and/or Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program. The "Crock of Beef" program provides an incentive program to low-income families in the state of Montana, to attend classes educating them on nutrition, at the same time and opportunity for the beef industry to educate this consumer group on the validity of purchasing more economical cuts of beef, providing them with information on the importance of nutrient-dense beef in their diets, and providing knowledge on proper cooking, and food safety handling technique of beef.
     To receive more information on this program, contact Chair Kae McCloy - 2394 Fly Creek Rd., Pompeys Pillar, MT 59064 (875-2222) or via e-mail at mccloy@be-quik.com . This program presently receives project funding from the Montana Beef Council, and the Montana Department of Agriculture, and Wal-Mart.
Women Stepping Forward For Agriculture - USDA in conjunction with the Montana Agri-Women, Montana Farm Bureau Women, Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE) and the Montana CattleWomen sponsor an annual symposium for women involved in the promotion of Montana's agriculture. Issues affecting Montana's rural agricultural communities, female operators and farm/ranch families are identified and addressed. The symposium also supports women's leadership roles within Montana's agricultural communities. For more information contact Heidi Brewer, FSA Public Affairs Specialist/Outreach Coordinator at 406/587-6905 or http://www.fsa.usda.gov/mt .
Montana Beef Ambassador Program - 


    Each year Montana CattleWomen sponsors a Beef Ambassador Contest in compliance with the National Contest Rules and Regulations. The State Contest is sponsored by Montana CattleWomen with project funding from the Montana Beef Council. The National Beef Ambassador Program is sponsored by the American National CattleWomen, Inc., in cooperation with the Cattlemen's Beef Board.
     To receive more information about the Montana Beef Ambassador Program, contact Beef Ambassador Chair Linda Davis at linda@LazyVBar.com .
     To receive more information about the National Beef Ambassador Program, contact National Project Manager Carol Abrahamzon at cabrahamzon@beef.org .

2008 National Beef Ambassador Contest Caitlin Williams, Tucson, Arizona won the title of 2008 National Beef Ambassador at the annual competition, held Oct. 18-20 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The competition was established on behalf of cattle producers in 1988 and is funded by the beef checkoff.
    Twenty-one contestants from throughout the country vied for the national title and $5,000 in cash prizes sponsored exclusively by Tyson Foods, Inc.  Additionally three educational scholarships totaling $2,250 were given by the American National CattleWomen Foundation, Inc.  Williams received $2,500 cash and a $1,000 college scholarship.
    Second place went to Jennifer Rassler, Kempton, PA, who received $1,200 and a $750 scholarship.
    Third place winner Leticia Varelas, Hope, New Mexico, received $800 and a $500 scholarship.
    Michelle Wiggley, CA and Beth Wood, WY received $250 each as honorable mention awards.

    Caitlin Williams, a sophomore at the University of Arizona is pursuing a degree in Agriculture Education.  Her favorite thing to do is work toward her goals, step back and see the rewards of her hard work.  She strives to do her best in anything she puts her efforts into and believes that dedication is the key to any success.  She devotes her life and time to agriculture and the beef industry and feels that she can make a positive difference in the lives of many through education and promotion.
    While preparing for this national speaking competition, youth learn about the importance of the beef industry and 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 they help educate peers and consumers about food safety, nutrition and the Beef Checkoff Program.
    Contestants participating in the National Beef Ambassador Competition presented a speech about the promotional aspects of beef, completed interviews with media and beef-industry representatives and attended a checkoff-funded educational workshop titled "Telling the Beef Production Story.

#   #    #
    The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill.  The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products.  States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.  The checkoff assessment became mandatory when the program was approved by 79 percent of producers in a 1988 national referendum vote.  Checkoff revenues may be used for promotion, education and research programs to improve the marketing climate for beef.
    Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Ark, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500.  The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)" strategy.

FCCLA Award- The winner of the 2008 Beef Education Display was Rachel Gambill of Forsyth. Each year the Montana CattleWomen gives a $75.00 Award for the outstanding beef educational display.  Next year's convention will be held March 19-21, 2009 in Billings.
     The FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America)'s Mission is to promote personal growth and leadership development through family and consumer sciences education. Focusing on the multiple roles of family member, wage earner and community leader, members develop skills for life through-
  • Character development
  • Creative and critical thinking
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Practical knowledge
  • Vocational preparation
You can contact the State FCCLA at:
Montana Association
Renee Harris

Phone: (406)444-2059
E:mail:  RHarris3@mt.gov
Annual Education Forum held by the Collegiate CattleWomen- Held in conjunction with the Montana Livestock Forum & Nutrition Conference in April at the Gran Tree Inn in Bozeman. Montana CattleWomen help the Collegiate Cattlewomen with Project Funding from the Montana Beef Council to support this Beef Educational Forum. They are an active group and help with other events put on by the Montana CattleWomen and Montana Stockgrowers, as well as their own projects. To contact the Collegiate CattleWomen at MSU Bozeman (406)861-3755 - President Courtney Iverson, Bozeman, MT, 59715