Six State Beef Councils Receive Grants for 2014 Work to Build Beef Demand

Federation program supports efforts in consumer-heavy parts of the country.

Source: Federation of State Beef Councils news release

The Federation of State Beef Councils has awarded seven grants totaling $60,400 to six state beef councils to boost their beef demand programs.

The awards, part of the Federation Initiative Fund program, were announced at the Federation Forum at the 2013 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver Aug. 8.

The Federation Initiative Fund was established in 2006 to help move beef checkoff funds from states with heavy cattle numbers to states with heavier consumer populations.

The six states receiving awards for 2014 are:

• Arizona Beef Council, for a "gate-to-plate" influencer tour ($7,400) to conduct farm and ranch tours for influencers, addressing the myths surrounding the beef feeding sector.

• Florida Beef Council, for a ProStart Education Initiative ($12,300) to launch a high school culinary education initiative with Florida ProStart teachers and students.

• Georgia Beef Board, for a Beef 101 Seminar and Farm Tour ($5,200) to conduct farm and ranch tours for influencers, addressing the myths surrounding the beef feeding sector; and provide training to retail meat departments or foodservice staffs on beef.

• Michigan Beef Industry Commission, for a Beef Value Seminar ($6,000) to provide training to retail meat departments and foodservice staffs on new beef cuts, nutrition, and healthy diets utilizing the Beef University and Beef Training Camp.

• New York Beef Industry Council, two grants, one for "Local Expert" Social Media Outreach ($20,000) to conduct social media marketing outreach to improve consumer preference for beef and strengthen the image of beef and the beef industry; and a Social Media Marketing – Retail Partner Program ($5,000) to provide state extension to consumers on preparing beef.

• Pennsylvania Beef Council, for Beef Quality Assurance/Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Training ($4,500) to conduct BQA/DBQA certification training and tour packing plant with future industry influencers, addressing beef industry issues throughout all sectors, as well as industry advancements. Also address myths regarding food safety and animal care and handling either on the farm or at harvest.

State beef councils voluntarily invest in the Federation to help strengthen the national effort to build demand for beef. Since it was created, the Federation Initiative Fund has awarded about $2.2 million to 22 states conducting 180 programs.