JFCA Fall Field Day 2013 Pictures

Pictures from the JFCA Fall Field Day

Ona, FL 6/28/13

Getting Hitched!

I'm getting married! Well... not yet. But I am engaged! So excited!

I haven't posted on this blog for a while, and I apologize to my readers who NEED the latest beef scoop! Interning in Tallahassee has kept me quite busy! I love meeting new people, and people who are successful. My new life motto is "Fake it till you make it", and it's served me well so far.

There are so many successful people who seem to really love what they do, and some who seem less than thrilled. I want to find my passion, and I want to find something I love. That is important to me, and I've been praying and working for that dream job for some time now.

I'll be done with my internship in May, and I'll be starting a new job (hopefully), going to our annual Cattlemen's convention (can't wait!!) and PLANNING A WEDDING!

Wish me luck, and I'll be back soon to update about all of the great goings-on during session this year! If you'd like to read the proposal story.... click here. Thanks for following, and your constant and unwavering support and prayers, I need it all!

God Bless,

The Beef Queen

I'm Proud to be a Floridian!

Hey there! Thanks for keeping up with my blog. It's been a very busy week here in Tallahassee during my internship, but I'm loving it!

Yesterday I visited the an older office in a beautiful building down the road from my office. Let me just say, if you haven't visited Tallahassee, you NEED to. It's one of the most beautiful places. It looks like it doesn't even belong in Florida, because of the scenery and the hills. I feel like I'm in Georgia or another state. It's cold right now, which makes me feel like that even more. I'm in love. I miss my town, and friends and family, but I'm enjoying every minute here.

In Tallahassee, many of the buildings are older and they are made out of beautiful, rustic, romantic red brick. I LOVE this look. The older buildings have this style that makes me want to sit on the balconies and fall in love with a great book and a mug of hot chocolate.

Now that you're in the same mood as I am, you'll appreciate this blog post even more.

Because of my fascination with these great red-brick beauties, the building I visited yesterday held me in awe for several minutes. It wasn't a historical building, so to speak, or a place that you can go and tour, (it's a working office building) but I wish it was. There was this gorgeous luxurious study full of leather chairs and big heavy books. This leads to my discussion of how AWESOME Florida is.

Did you know that Florida was the first place to have cattle? This makes us the birthplace of America's cattle industry! If you've read my other posts, you have heard this already. Being in Tallahassee, and seeing some of our legislation at work, I feel very proud of our great state. There will always be things that need to change, and things that seem unfair at times, but overall, I couldn't dream of living anywhere else.

We found a book called "Florida's Handbook", and we found several editions. This particular one was the 6th edition. The books were written by Allen Morris. It was so neat because this edition covered pretty much everything about Florida from 1957 - 1958. There were around 1.6 million registered voters in the state; now, we have about 11.9 million, as reported by an article by the New York Times in October of this past year. (I'm putting some links to my sources, so feel free to check them out!)

According to this edition, Florida had about 1.4 million beef cattle. We ranked 23rd among the states for number of cattle and calves, but 13th in production. Now, according to statistics from the USDA, we have around 1.7 million, not a huge increase, but (according to this report) we are 16th for number of cattle and calves. According to a report by the Florida Ag Statistic Services, we rank 11th in the nation for beef cattle, 19th in total amount of cattle. (Reports vary depending on the year and source, but most of them are pretty similar.

Here is a picture collage I made of pictures I took while flipping through this awesome piece of history:

I love Florida, and I'm proud to be from such a great state! I'm a history lover when it comes to things that mean a lot to me. Feel free to share your stories about my state or yours, if you live elsewhere in this beautiful country. I always encourage people to research where they are from, because it's something that makes you, YOU. Thanks for reading, feel free to share the facts and always remember to keep learning!

God Bless,

The Beef Queen

Tallahassee: The Next Frontier

WOW! What a splendid weekend I've had!

Hopefully everyone had a marvelous holiday break! As of December 15th, 2012,  I can officially say that I'm a college graduate. I'm the first in my family to graduate, so it's been a really exciting time for me! I earned my bachelors degree in Mass Communications, but my focus is Public Relations. (If you've read my blog before, I'm sure you just rolled your eyes and said, "Duh!"). :)

What's next, you ask? I'll tell you!

This past weekend, I moved up to Tallahassee to start my internship at a law firm just a few blocks away from the capitol. I'm very excited, and today is my first day on the job! I'll be up here assisting one of our agriculture lobbyists that the Florida Cattlemen rely on. I'll be here through May, and I'm already LOVING the town. I'm keeping a private journal of all of my goings on, so I'll be able to look back years from now.

After a long 5 hour drive (made even longer when I got pulled over for exceeding the speed limit - ask my mom, we weren't speeding, it was a case of mistaken identity!!), we found ourselves in Tallahassee. Mr. Winn and Mr. Sam, my two bosses, helped get us accustomed to the area and mom and dad helped me get settled in to my cabin in the woods.

Everyone has been extremely pleasant, and I'm so ready to jump in full throttle. I'm currently learning to navigate the websites of the Florida House of Representatives and Senate, and soon we will be in session! (March 5th through May 3rd). The first few weeks will be relaxed but I will have to learn the layout of everything so that I'm prepared to be the best intern I can be when session starts. I have been learning a lot, and it's only my first day! I'm not sure how much I'll be able to share, because there is so much involving legislature and politics, but I'll be posting as much as I can. I look forward to seeing all of my fellow Cattlemen and Cattlewomen at the FCA Quarterly in March, it's a great time full of education, great people, and memories! The legislative quarterly was were my passion was fueled, and it was the first time that I really thought I could make a difference. I encourage you all to get out there, learn about your passions, and then see where they'll take you! My passion took me to the state capitol, imagine what great things you can accomplish if you let your dreams run away with you!

I'm still wondering why it's taking so long for me to get a spot in the senate or the house... I've been here for a whole day! :) If you can, say a little prayer for me. I'm a small town girl, a long way from home in a very intimidating place! Thanks for your support, it's what keeps me going!

God Bless,

The Beef Queen

My Very Busy, Beef-Filled November!

Hopefully, your Thanksgiving break was as awesome as mine!

When Turkey day finally rolled around this year, I was so excited to have a break! My November was packed with the most amazing beef-related events, and I just had to share them with you all.

I love to fill as many weekends as I can with volunteering within my county's Cattlemen's Association or the state association. The weekend of November 16th - 18th, I was able to do both!

As the county Cattlemen's Sweetheart for 2 years in a row (I gave up that title in May this past year), I was able to attend the "Farm City Week" luncheon provided for the tour buses that led residents and visitors around our wonderful county. The tour takes the passengers to different farms and shows them firsthand what Manatee County's agriculture is all about. Last year I offered to help in any way that I could, and this year I was asked about being a tour guide!

I LOVED being a tour guide! I was able to share facts, Ag-related jokes and stories, and I met some awesome people in the process. I invited our current sweetheart to ride along on the bus. If something like this is offered in your area, I highly recommend getting involved. If it's not something offered, look into what it would take to start it. I would talk to some of the farmers in your area, and see if they would be interested in an event or something of that nature! People love to shop locally, and if they can connect a product with a name, face or even family, that would make a huge impact on their impression of our industry!

The next day I led a part of our annual prospect show's workshop for the exhibitors. It's another Farm City Week event, and it's one of my favorites. I used to show and attend the workshop, (it's mandatory, but still fun) and now I'm leading my own workshop! I spoke to the kids about the variety of careers in agriculture available, and it was an awesome time! We even got to cook some steak on a grill with some of the more advanced "show jocks" and spoke to them about grades of meat and how to check for quality. It was an awesome time, and I love hanging out with those kids. You won't find a better quality of youth then you will at your local fair.

The event on Sunday was a little more adult than the previous two. Last year, I was asked to attend the Clearwater Uncorked Food and Wine festival to help out the Florida Beef Council showcasing some of our delicious steak. Last year, the steak was marinated in Sam Adam's, this year, we used Everglades seasoning. DELICIOUS. I tried to leave the samples on the platters for everyone else, but every now and then, I'd do a "beef shot". I'm only human!!

These events always leave me wanting more... BEEF. The people involved are amazing, the kids are great, and I leave feeling satisfied and so happy. I know that if my career path leads me into this industry, I'll never truly work a day in my life! Happy Holidays, thanks for reading!

The Beef Queen

Being Yourself.... Online and In Person

I get asked to speak at a lot of events for young adults, and there are a few topics I love to touch on after my main topic has been discussed. 99.9% of the time, I am asked to educate audiences about Florida's Agriculture, and more specifically, Florida's Beef Industry. This upcoming Saturday, for our county's annual Farm City week prospect show, my speech will be about becoming an advocate. I always include information about our beef supply, but this will be awesome as I get to talk about my journey from my awkward teenage years to self-proclaimed "Beef Queen".

After my speeches are done, I like to include a little section about college, life in general, and your online presence. I wrote about the elevator speech exercise for my last blog. (For that stimulating story, click here.)

I hear it all the time in my major (public relations).....

"Be careful what you post online, employers will see that!"
"Don't post pictures of the parties you go too, that will get you kicked out of college!"
"Don't use profanity, or you'll go to jail!"

Some of the warnings can be a little intense, but the message rings true. I am friends with people on Facebook and twitter one minute, and the next minute I'm in their class talking about something agriculturally related. It's important to me that I stay professional and polite on my page, because people see that. I hate the thought of someone going to a classroom to speak and saying, "College is not about the parties, it's about homework and being an adult", and then a student "friending" them and seeing pictures that should NOT be posted for anyone to see. That's irresponsible and unacceptable. I'm not saying that people aren't allowed to post on their sites, it's yours to post. However, I DO think you should use discretion.

I like to stress the "Dad-friendly" rule. This got a LOT easier... when my dad joined facebook. It helps keep me in check. Often, I'll see these young girls saying things, and posting pictures, and I turn into that adult. "What are they thinking??"

Social media is great. It's improved lines of communication, it helps with keeping companies and even politicians accountable, if they so choose, and it's made a way for us to reach out and tell our stories. I believe firmly that every person has a story that is worth telling. I would just hate for that story to be one that reflects negatively on your character. I have said all of this to say the following... here are some simple rules for staying true to yourself, but being successful with your online presence.

- Keep social media as "Dad-friendly" as possible. How would you feel if your grandma knew all about your Saturday night?

- Post positive things that you are proud of. Earned a B in chemistry? That's awesome! Failed that test because your teacher "hates" you? Not necessary.

- PG Pictures. We all LOVE to see pictures of you and your boyfriend, but we don't need to feel like peeping toms. Keep them as PG as possible, please.

- Pretend that a future (or even current) employer WERE looking at your page. If you have a problem with your job or a co-worker, find a solution. Don't bad-mouth on the internet. That has gotten people fired before, I've seen it happen.

- Use your best judgement and be yourself. Don't try to put on a front by any means, but act as if your profile directly reflected your life.... because it does. How you portray yourself online is a direct reflection on how people actually see you, especially since most of the people you are "friends" with or "follow" aren't people who are lucky enough to spend time with you to know any better than what they see online.

Please feel free to share this information, and educate someone you know that has an issue with posting negative or harmful stuff online. It's a bigger deal than they think, and it will probably come back to hurt them in the long run. I'm not perfect, and neither is my online profile, but I'm proud of how I come across as a person in real life, and online.

Thanks for reading, have a blessed week!

The Beef Queen

Elevator Speeches - Don't take the stairs!

Most college students, especially those in any of the communications majors, have heard the term elevator speech. Most of us have heard it again. And again. And again......

If you haven't heard this term (regardless of your major or job) then it's something you should learn. Quickly. Elevator speeches have several names, but they are basically all formed around a simple principle. If you only have a small amount of time to speak to someone, and you need them to remember you, it's easy to get caught off guard and flustered.

Enter, the elevator. Speech. :)

Why do I need an elevator speech? I'm a bio-med major, or I already have a job!

Elevator speeches are great for a number of different occasions, each speech can be tailored to the event. This little blurb about you should include: Your name, something interesting about you that sets you apart (as it relates to the event/person), and something that you see as a goal or a challenge.

Examples: My name is Kelly Davis, I call myself "The Beef Queen" because I am an advocate of Florida's beef industry, and my dream job would be serving as Florida's first female Commissioner of Agriculture.

This is an example of an elevator speech for a job interview. There are different examples for different situations. You could have one ready for a job interview, meeting someone at work or at school that you admire, speed dating (even regular dating), etc.

These are great for people who find it hard to "brag" about themselves, which is one way that people describe talking about themselves. This little prepared speech comes in handy in a million different situations, especially when you hear the dreaded "Tell me about yourself".

I speak at a lot of 4-H clubs, FFA chapters, and other types of school and business meetings. This is always something I try to bring up, especially when there are younger people involved. It gives you an edge when you can answer something like this on the spot. Your confident, because you have something to say, and it will help people remember you.

At the last 4-H meeting I spoke at, I had each of the members write down some interesting things about themselves, and what they wanted to be when they get older. After I was done with my presentation, I had some of the students share some of their information as if they were just meeting me for the first time (which was effective, as many of them were!). This is a great way to encourage kids to get confident when speaking about something they love or are passionate about, whether it's drawing, sewing, speaking, cooking, showing cows, politics, or whatever it may be!

Hopefully you have a desire to go figure out your elevator speech, and I know you won't be caught off guard the next time you meet someone! Keep it simple, and keep it YOU. You're pretty great, and everyone deserves to know that!

Thanks for reading, have a great weekend!

The Beef Queen

Vegans: How Lifetime and LMN Help Me Cope

My best friend Emily and I are huge LMN and Lifetime channel fans. Like, seriously. We can solve (or commit) any crime, and household dispute, and pretty much predict the future. Rarely, we are stumped. Usually though, we are pros.

I love the shows that run on these networks. My boyfriend calls the channels the "men-bashing networks", or MBN for short. He's got a great imagination. I just tell him to watch his back. Joking, of course.

I am a senior in college, and probably the only senior still living on campus. It works out, because I only need my apartment for a few months before I graduate, and the campus housing is more flexible (but more expensive) than off campus housing. You win some, you lose some.

After finding my randomly-assigned roommates on the housing website, we started a facebook chat about microwaves, toasters, furniture, sunflowers, and roommate night. One roommate suggested steak and potatoes (she sounds awesome) and the other responded that she is a very picky vegan.

I chose to attend a non-agricultural school for several reasons, including location (45 minutes from my hometown and my beautiful 2 and a half year old niece), and the fact that I would have more exposure and more experience with people who think differently than myself. If you read my blog, you know that I like to see things from all sides, and I like to educate myself so that I'm not speaking without first researching.

Here's where Lifetime comes in. The show Wife Swap was on last night. The wives "swapped" are supposed to come from completely different lifestyles. The episode featured a family who had a small income, and hunted to supplement and keep their family healthy. They shopped at a meat market, and ate venison (deer) and even rabbit twice a day if possible. They wanted to be healthy, but couldn't go out and afford expensive meat. They understood the value of meat in their diets. The other family ate raw food and lived a vegan lifestyle. The wife was very passionate against hunting and believed that she could obtain an almost food-like substance from "sun-gazing". Needless to say, I was captivated.

While I realize these are the extremes in most cases, it did give an interesting perspective. Please stay tuned for experiences with a vegan roommate. I pride myself on never shoving what I believe in anyone's face, and I believe that we all deserve a choice in what we put into our bodies, or choose not to consume. (Even if it sounds completely crazy to not want a delicious burger or some awesome taco salad - see Taco salad post from last summer!)

I think this will be a great learning experience for both of us. As my good friend Ashley H says, there are three desired outcomes when dealing with animal-rights activists (or just mis-informed consumers in genereal): Win/Win (both parties feel great about the outcome/conversation, Compromise (both leave having learned a little something) or even just the old "agree to disagree".

Thanks for reading this, and thanks for all of your support...... and prayers. I'm sure I'll need them!

:)

God Bless,

The Beef Queen

Youth Field days: The Importance of Agriculture Education

There are many benefits to a great research facility. There are the obvious reasons: we learn from what we have done right, what we are doing wrong, and learn how we can be even better. The center in Ona, an extension of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences Cattle Range Station, is an awesome example of how a research facility should be run.

One of the benefits that many may not know about is that not only does this facility test, grow, plant, harvest and experiment on behalf of farmers and ranchers; they also give tours and help educate the youth in Florida and around the country. We all know that kids soak information up like sponges, and they want to learn. If more facilities team up and offer educational (and maybe even fun) tours, there will be great benefits to follow.

This past Thursday I attended the youth fall field day with many of my friends and some awesome representatives of our industries in agriculture. I had the opportunity to lead a group of kids and their parents around the well-planned tour, and I had a blast! I learned more about the operation than I expected, and I think a lot of people will agree.

We, as advocates, can talk all day long about agriculture till we are blue in the face. We know the benefits and the process like it's the back of our hands. We get it. I never understood why other people didn't. Seeing those kids and their parents learn these great facts and usable information really hit home. It helps to show them and give them something tangible. Instead of "the corn is planted in rows" or "cows are ruminant animals", we need to show diagrams and pictures. Explain what you mean, and why it's important. Cows are ruminant. 1 stomach, 4 compartments. Rumen, reticulum, omasum, and the abomasum. Did the facility just have the kids recite that? No... There was a real stomach for an example!

I'm not telling you to carry around a calf reproductive or digestive system in your car, or to cut a hole in your heifer to show how they eat in case anyone comes to your farm; let's leave that to the experts. I am saying that there are visual aids readily available! Get in touch with the beef council, your local cattlemen/cattlewomen, industry representative, ag teacher, farmer. Someone is bound to have something cool for you to share! We have great resources, we just have to find them!

I would like to say thank you to the staff at Ona and everyone who participated in making this event a success! Hope to see you all there again next year! Stay involved, and make sure you reach out to someone with a cool fact or information that might surprise them! When we continue to educate, we will in turn be asked more questions, which forces us to better educate ourselves. It's really a win-win situation!

Example: cows are ruminant, which means their system is set up so that they can actually digest fiber. Humans are mono gastric, which means fiber cleans us out! ;)

God bless,

The Beef Queen

JFCA Youth Fall Field Day - Ona, 2012

It's been almost a year since the last field day, and I can't wait to go! I can't believe how much fun this last year has been. I definitely feel like I've grown since sweetheart... And I'm not talking about my height! :)

The Florida Cattleman's Annual convention, held in Marco Island, FL is in about 4 days! A year since I've given up my title,a year since what I thought was the end of my career. Now I realize it was just a crucial stepping stone! According to my business cards, and the fancy polo I'm wearing today, I have become an "industry advocate". This just means that I have decided to be a positive representation for the beef industry, and I could not be more excited!

Many people say that after sweetheart, you are a "has been". I say that you are only as good as you think you can be, so I simply refuse to be as has been. I believe that I owe this industry something, as it's given me so much!

That all being said, I'm looking forward to seeing all the kids and adults today getting educated about agriculture. It's what makes my heart skip a beat, but don't tell my boyfriend that! :)

Joining me today will be the current Manatee county Cattleman's sweetheart, my successor Maria. She will be representing the county in the annual contest this year at convention. I feel that she is prepared to represent us well, but as always I am excited for all the girls running. Whether they know it or not, this is a life-changing experience, if you want it to be. All I know is my life changed, and I thank God for the opportunities I've had.

I'll update about the field day later. Wish me luck, because this year I'm actually going to have a group to lead around. What a difference from last year, but as always, bring it on!

Thanks for reading this, and supporting all the youth and cattleman in this industry. Pray for those producing and representing, because Lord knows we need both sides. Pray the humidity and heat give those kids a break today as we are out in the heat enjoying this awesome event. Have an awesome rest of your week!

God bless,

The Beef Queen

Beef is Beef is Beef is Beef

Check out the photo below concerning the most recent attack on beef. There are so many rumors and misleading tidbits flying around about ground beef, and I have been working to do my part to dispel the myths. I always say that we have to educate ourselves before speaking. Don't speak without researching! Stay informed, and trust that beef raised and produced in the United States is healthy and nutritious! It goes through many rigorous tests and has to meet very strict standards, which are set by the FDA and the USDA. I have been speaking about #beefisbeef on twitter, and have commented on several articles and websites. We have to work together as producers to let people know beef is safe, and stay consistent in our message and with our facts. I would love to hear your thoughts, Lord knows my whole college campus has heard mine! Keep eating that beef, and stay healthy!

 

Check out www.beefisbeef.com for more information! 

Follow me on twitter: @the_beef_queen

Thanks for the support!

Local Beef: Worth the Hype?

My cousins raise beef at a local farm in Bradenton, Florida. Their cattle are a Maine Angus/Simmental cross, and they make delicious burgers! The beef is sold at the King Ranch in Bradenton, and it is raised right at the ranch. Every season, the ranch hosts a "farm stand", similar to a farmer's market and many local people come out to enjoy the goodies and live music.

I love helping them sell the beef because even though I didn't raise it, I feel proud that local farms are offering people yet another way to enjoy beef in their daily routine. I took a few pictures, but the day was fairly busy as we sold burgers from 11am till people stopped coming! The burgers were made from the beef sold inside the refrigerated room at the small building near the entrance. There were also plants and honey for sale, with a number of other local food options. Dakin Dairy, a dairy based out of Myakka city, sells milk there, as well as at the local Publix supermarkets, which we are super proud of as well.

I love burgers as much as the next person, and you can't beat a locally grown burger. They tend to be a little more expensive, as they take longer to raise and produce, but it sure is worth it. Local is a way to go!

A very happy customer,

The beef queen

My manicure. Had to go all out!

Posing for a pic while Gene does all the work cooking :)

The stand has a room with a fridge, where all the meat is kept, along with informational materials!

I won!

When I got home this weekend, after a busy and stressful week up at college, I was received with two amazing items: Girl Scout cookies, and a prize! What kind? Thin Mints, of course! Like there is any other kind.

Oh... you mean what kind of prize! :) While I was in Nashville for the NCBA, I walked around the trade show for a while by myself. It's always dangerous when I do that, because I like filling out random forms and talking to strangers. It is always easier to do this in a trade show setting alone, because most people like to keep moving and get free hats. (Yes, dad, I'm talking about you!)

Turns out, I won an awesome prize from the Beef Magazine booth! It is a book all about the history of the cowboy boot! I am just so excited! I made sure to tweet them to let them know I LOVED it! Even better, the card is stamped with BEEF in big red letters. Who doesn't love that? I am so excited to dig into my new book. It is called, what else, "The Cowboy Boot" and the credit goes to a lot of amazing people, such as David R. Stoecklein, the photographer. If you get a chance to read/look through this book, you need to take that opportunity. I would lend you mine, but I'm too busy lusting over these boots. :)

 

I'm off to volunteer for class, and I will be updating my blog about the Florida State Fair later! Thanks for reading, hope you have a great Monday!

God Bless,

One super excited Beef Queen!

Yahoo, You're "Useless".

For my advertising class, we have been assigned to keep a blog of things that inspire us. My other blog is titled: "There's only one Kelly Davis" with the tag line "Don't check Facebook, there's like 500 imposters". I use it for pictures and quotes, but this was one of my recent blogs. One thing that inspires me is how the beef industry is utilizing social media. An article by Yahoo about careers offended a lot of aggies, and I had to blog about it. I realized that I hadn't blogged about it on my beef blog, so here goes! Enjoy :)

Way to go, Yahoo.

An article came out recently from Yahoo about the top "useless college degrees." Click here for the link: http://education.yahoo.net/articles/most_useless_degrees.htm

This made many people angry, especially considering the above statistics. Within hours, all of my Facebook friends, and people around the country, were furious with Yahoo for approving something like this. Ridiculous. Blog posts that encourage agriculture as a career path followed, with great posts from groups like the National FFA Organization. They had a great response on their blog. http://nationalffa.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/ag-students-take-heart-your-degrees-arent-useless/

Hopefully, Yahoo will think twice before posting such an offensive article in the future. To say that such a huge part of our country is useless? Come on, Yahoo.

Pictures from Nashville!

At the NCBA convention trade show, there were beef-related items as far as the eye could see! I was in Heaven, and it was lovely. :)

Dad and I getting all dolled up for the Opry! We looked pretty spiffy! Mom looked really pretty, and I would have a picture of us on here, but it turns out dad didn't take a great one of us together. Jealousy, perhaps? :)

Standing in front of the CMT building!

Keith Urban in concert!!

Hanging out with Dan Sullivan and Amanda Radke of the MBA program. This was a special moment for me, because I felt like I was meeting celebrities!

I'll be posting more pictures as I receive them, still waiting on some group photos for our JFCA Team! :)

Florida, Sweet Florida

I'm back!

I have to say that Nashville was a great success. Sometimes, when I am at school or around people, and I'm talking about BEEF, I feel like I'm alone. This feeling leaves as soon as I jump online, of course, or if someone is with me and supporting the cause as well. I'm never ashamed, I just sometimes feel like I am the only one who cares. However, one of the best things about these conventions is that there are so many people who agree with what you are doing. Not only do they agree with you, they support you! Our conventions are like revivals. Once you leave, you are so pumped up and reminded why you do what you do!

The JFCA officer team ladies competed in the prepared speaking, and we also had a team for the quiz bowl and team marketing competitions. I am so proud of all of those who competed, and I know that the judges all had a really tough time making decisions. Our girls in prepared speaking all placed well, and we got 2nd in quiz bowl, while taking 1st in Team Marketing, for the third year in a row!

I loved Nashville, and it was a lot of fun getting to go around the downtown scene. My dad and I are both shocked that we didn't come home with record deals, but according to dad's Facebook update, "Leaving Nashville without a recording contract. This town wouldn't know talent if it kicked them in the face. LOL!" Well said, dad. We did get to take in a show at the Ryman (at the Opry, it's a previous location). It was actually a farewell for the building, as the stage floor was set to be replaced, and so it was a last performance. Keith Urban did an amazing job, but I have to say that I met some of the coolest people sitting beside and around us! I encouraged one gentlemen, a farmer from Kentucky who is a member of his Cattleman's Association, to become more involved! It was a fantastic evening.

It is hard to come home and sit through classes after networking and all that excitement, but I am trying to get through it! I am happy to be back in Florida, and I have realized that I really don't have a desire to live anywhere else. Even though our weather can be somewhat unpredictable, and the humidity can drive a frizzy-haired girl insane, it's where I want to live and raise my kids. It's where I want to farm and have pastures full of cow-calf pairs, and all that other stuff that comes along with it! Thanks for following, and have a safe and happy weekend!

The Beef Queen

There will be pictures to come, having some difficulty uploading.

The National Cattlemens Beef Association National Convention!

I was up super early this morning with mom and dad this morning so we could head up to the airport. That's right folks, we are headed to Nashville for the National Cattleman's Beef Association national convention!

"It's a crazy town full of neon dreams, everybody plays everybody sings. Hollywood with a touch of twang."
A big thanks to Jason Aldean for giving us a quote about Nashville! :)

This is my second time attending the NCBA national convention, and it's mom and dad's first. Excited for them to experience it! Coincidentally it is my first trip to Nashville, their second... but they way they talk they are practically locals. (Last year's convention was in Denver, CO.)

I'm so tired but so ready! We have a bunch of members coming up from Florida, and we have taken the youth championship titles for the past two years. Our kids thoroughly impressed me last year. Some of the other groups had egos, attitudes, and a lack of manners, which caught me off guard. We won everything in quiz bowl and team marketing, but we also displayed excellent showmanship. I credit our state and the counties, and the respective cattleman's associations with laying the groundwork for people to be even more awesome, and for everyone involved to be able to shine.

I'll be updating when we get home, and putting pictures up as I can. Have a great Wednesday, thanks for reading!

Your favorite Beef Queen!

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FFA Sub-districts Competition

For those of you who know anything about FFA, you know that it is an awesome organization. I have always been a little more partial towards the Florida Cattlemen's Association, but I love FFA and the organization as a whole.

I have stayed involved in my county, as I am the Manatee County Cattlemen Sweetheart until May. (I was asked to represent our county again, as there were no other young women eligible to be the Sweetheart. Of course, I asked if I had to wear the crown, and then I said absolutely!) :)

Last week, my fellow bovine beauties and I were asked to help with the FFA Sub-districts competition. The bovine beauties group is a few of my close cattlewomen friends, that includes Ashley, the state sweetheart two years before me, also from my county, our county sweetheart the year before me, Jamie, and a few other young ladies (the current sweetheart, Kaitlyn, and our lovely little bovine, April from a neighboring county.)

Ashley, Jamie and I are known for being silly and having a lot of fun together. Ashley just recently got engaged and I can't wait to be a part of the wedding! She is marrying a local Ag teacher, and I like to say that they are a match made in Ag-Heaven. :) Jamie married a rodeo clown/day worker, and we are never short on laughs. When the three of us were asked to help via a facebook message from a local Ag teacher, we couldn't help but message back, "Are you sure?"

The competitions are always fun to watch and help with. I realized how much I missed competing in events such as extemporaneous and prepared speaking, and realized how much I didn't miss events like parliamentary procedure! There were many other portions such as tractor driving and saying the FFA Creed.

Each event is intense and extreme, and I am always impressed at the quality of youth involved. Everyone involved in FFA and the JFCA (Jr. Florida Cattlemen's Association) that I have come across are just wonderful kids. Polite, educated, energetic, and always asking questions with a curiosity that I hope they never outgrow.

The competitions were awesome as always, and I hated leaving the people to drive all the way back up to school. Congratulations to everyone involved, and thanks to everyone who helped, and who allowed me to help.

If you have a child, or are interested in an amazing group of people to become involved with and befriend, I encourage you to look to your local Cattlemen or FFA Chapters. Alumni are always appreciated, and volunteers are always welcome. You never know, you just might become an Ag-nerd like me!

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

The Beef Queen

Just Look At My Nails!

I, like many other women, have been sucked into the online world of Pinterest.com. If you are a woman who has any desire to be fashionable or crafty, this is a site you will love!

Thanks to two very crafty grandmothers, being creative is in my genes. I love to make things, scrapbook and play around with fashion. Even though we are cattlewomen, and we know how to work hard and get dirty, we can still look great while doing it. My first project inspired by this website was a small step into the nail art world. I don't have a desire to color my hair any crazy colors, because I want to look professional, but I do believe that nails can be a place for expression. Check it out!

I have received many compliments (thankfully) and I have found that not only is this a great way to showcase how much I love cows, but it is also a great way to jumpstart a conversation with people.

I had a gentlemen at work recently tell me that Agriculture is shrinking, that he did not believe that Florida was an agriculture state, and that I would have trouble finding a job. I tell myself that people like this are only trying to help, and in their own minds, they have seen it all and done everything.

However, if someone loves the industry enough to paint it on her nails, who is to say that she couldn't get a job and succeed in the industry? I believe I will get a job, and God willing, I will.

I hope that you are all inspired to get out there and craft, and as always, to tell people all about your life and your industry, and your passions. Passionate people make life so much more interesting! Have a great week everyone!!

Thanks for reading!

Yours always,

The Beef Queen

Clearwater Uncorked Food & Wine Festival

As a BEEF industry representative and advocate, I love being able to go to events that not only give us a chance to reach out to consumers, but also to have a blast!

I was invited by Ashley Hughes, the director of promotions and marketing for the Florida Beef Council to attend the Clearwater Uncorked food and wine festival. The cattlemen who joined us cooked up some amazing flat-iron steak, and it was a crowd favorite. We had so many people tell us how tender and delicious it was, and everyone was given a recipe card so they could make it at home! Everyone said they wanted to make it, so I hope that there will be a huge amount of beef served this holiday season!

The recipe, along with many others, can be found online at Floridabeefcouncil.org, and I suggest you check it out!

Not only did I get to hang out with Ashley and some of our awesome cattlemen, I also got to spend some time with the new FCA Sweetheart, Kaitlyn Gill and her mom! I love fellow cattlewomen, because there is never a dull moment!

I wanted to blog about this event, and I wanted to share a story that cracked me up. I was handing out the recipe cards, and people were taking extra cards to share with their friends. One woman in particular came up to sample the steak and I said, "Here's a recipe card." She replied with a disapproving look and said, "My husbands a chef. I think he can figure this out." I told her to enjoy her day, and watched her walk away, eat the sample, and turn around, walk back to the booth, grab a recipe card, and say, "I think I will take this home to my husband. He needs this recipe."

I laughed for ten minutes after that happened, because it just goes to show how people can walk up with one idea, and leave with another. We were able to talk to so many people about Florida's BEEF industry, and it was such an informal setting that people are willing to stop and talk, and share stories.

These are positive lines of communication that need to be opened between producers and consumers. I love my life, and I love the people in it. A special shout-out to my parents, without whom I wouldn't be able to travel back and forth to these events. They are keeping my dreams alive, and I love them for it.

Here are some pictures of the event. Enjoy! Thanks for reading, Have a great holiday!!

The Beef Queen

Myself, Carl M, and Kaitlyn Gill outside of the event trying to avoid helping clean up. :)

There were some interesting characters at the event!

Fellow state Sweethearts - Kaitlyn Gill, FCA Sweetheart 2011 - 2012, Me, Sweetheart 2010 - 2011

Had a blast!!! Hopefully there will be a second annual Uncorked festival!