Members of the Kansas beef community recently attended the national Top of the Class advocacy training held in Denver, CO. Among the nine participants selected for the checkoff-funded workshop were Jessalyn Strahm of Sabetha, Wrenn Pacheco from Alma and Anna Curry of Madison. Other advocates taking part in the training were from California, Florida, Idaho, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
Class members were given an in-depth look at hot industry topics, including nutrition, sustainability and animal care during the three-day exercise. Sessions on advanced social media and communication strategies allowed advocates to enhance the skills needed to share pro-beef messages with consumers.
Strahm and Pacheco said the class gave them more tools to share the facts about how beef is produced on their ranches. Curry said the training will help her better advocate for the beef industry, which can be a daunting task.
“It rarely, if ever, pays the bills,” said Curry. “It is our hope, however, that these collective advocating efforts will pay dividends in the long run and allow our lifestyle and tradition to continue for future generations.”
Top of the Class alumni are called on as beef community spokespersons throughout the year. The Kansas Beef Council also trains advocates through a state-level Top of the Class program.