On March 12 the National Beef Ambassadors received an introduction to international marketing efforts for U.S. beef and became better-informed about the importance of exports to beef producers at a meeting with USMEF-Denver staff.

Every year the National Beef Ambassador Program selects a team of five students through a national contest to travel throughout the United States sharing information about beef production, safety and nutrition with consumers and fellow students.

Rachael Wolters of Culleoka, Tenn., an animal science major at the University of Tennessee at Martin, found her time at USMEF headquarters to be very worthwhile and insightful.

“Something that I took away from our visit today was the importance of education,” Wolters said. “We talk a lot about educating the American public about agriculture and addressing some of the misconceptions about our industry, but now I see that education is also very important globally. For example, it was really interesting to learn about how beef quality grading sets our product apart and makes U.S. beef more competitive.”

The meeting also left a strong impression on Sierra Jepsen of Amada, Ohio, whose family owns a cow-calf operation that also raises corn, soybeans and wheat. She is currently studying agricultural business at Ohio State University.

“Until today, I never really related exports back to my home operation,” Jepsen said. “We often think about how our farm feeds my family and our community, but now I realize that cuts from our cattle are going overseas and truly helping to feed the world.”