What's Going On Wednesday: November 18, 2015

Meetings, Meetings and More Meetings

The theme this week is meetings! These are important as we close out the 2015 year and work toward a successful 2016. See #WhatsGoingOn around the ACA office this week with your state officers and staff! We're staying busy working for Alabama's beef industry and its cattlemen. 

Executive Committee and November Board Meetings

The top priorities on the list of meetings this week are the Executive Committee meeting this evening at the ACA and the November Board meeting tomorrow. At these meetings, our state Executive Committee and Board members will receive staff updates about events and upcoming projects. The most important task for these meetings, however, is the presentation of the proposed 2016 Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan and 2016 budget for approval. 

Stay tuned for pictures and updates from these meetings on the ACA Facebook page. 

Beef Girl in Birmingham

Monday night ACA staffer Erin Beasley gave a presentation on beef quality and new cuts in foodservice to the Birmingham chapter of the American Culinary Federation. The group consisted of students all the way to executive chefs, and they asked a lot of questions about hot topics related to cattle and beef.

Calling All State Ag Communicators

On Tuesday, ACA staffer Kayla Greer joined ag communicators from across the state for a meeting hosted at the Alabama Farmers Federation. At this meeting, the group received an update on happenings with the Simply Southern television show, a partnership between the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Farmers Cooperative. They were informed about the newest mobile education apps and iBooks generated by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and shared their favorite e-newsletters that keep them in the know about what's going on in American and Alabama agriculture daily. The group then enjoyed lunch and fellowship where marketing and promotion ideas were swapped. 

Food Forum with Troy University

Past ACA President Jimmy Holliman, Will Gilmer (Alabama dairyman) and ACA's Erin Beasley participated on a virtual panel for the 3rd year in a row with the Food and Nutrition online class at Troy University. Students are given a wide array of movies and research articles to explore during the class and then formulate a question for industry professionals to help them better understand the issues. Many of the questions we encountered were related to antibiotic and hormone use in beef/dairy and safety of the product. Each year Dr. Teresa Johnson, class professor, says the online food forum is rated the favorite part of the class by students in their end of the semester review.

YCLP Abroad

This weekend, the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Class II will head northwest as they go on an overnight trip for farm tours and leadership training. The group will be convene in Aliceville in Pickens County, and it will visit Dee River Ranch and Vista Farms Cattle Company. The class will lodge the night Saturday at Cameron Quail Lodge where leadership training and discussions will take place. Some of the topics they'll discuss include leadership projects, qualities of leadership and hot topics in today's beef industry. Beef, fellowship and leadership training will be enjoyed by all.

Outside the ACA

It's no secret that ACA's Executive VP Dr. Billy Powell stays busy. Not only does he stay busy with ACA meetings, events and generating content for the Alabama Cattleman magazine, but he stays busy in other ag-related outlets in the state. This vast foundation of involvement allows him to better serve the ACA's members across many realms involving state agriculture. See below for a list of meetings he's been to just this week!

• He participated the Ag Center Board/Garrett Coliseum Redevelopment Board meeting. The Board continues to look at ways to fund work to improve and update the facilities at Garrett Coliseum. 
• Dr. Powell attended the Alabama Agricultural Development Authority Board meeting and discussed potential ag loans and future role for this authority.
• He was active on a conference call in reference to the NCBA CEO Search Committee, which is seeking an outstanding individual to lead NCBA.
• He's reviewing a compilation of all the current statutes relating to livestock dealers, brands, and the charter board in prepare for a members with Ag Department attorney to suggest revisions of some of the laws in preparation of the 2016 Legislative Session.
• As he serves as the Alabama FFA Foundation Secretary/Treasurer, he also was busy compiling  2014-2015  Alabama FFA Foundation information for the Foundation's CPA to look over. 

That's what's going on this week!

What's Going On Wednesday: June 24, 2015

ACA staffers stay busy around the office, but some weeks are busier than others. We are grateful to be able to have some calm before the storm of Round-Up and the many activities the month of July will surely bring. That being said, here's #WhatsGoingOn around the office this week.

2015 AJCA Round-Up

Registration deadline for this year's Round-Up is rapidly approaching! It feels like just yesterday that we were sending out the mail out to announce the dates, and now registration entry is about to be over! Wow time flies when you're having fun!

July 1 (ONE week from today) is the contest entry deadline. Visit the AJCA website to register.

Contests include: Career Development, Showmanship, Sales Talk, Skill-A-Thon, Team Grooming, Build a Better Burger, Volleyball, Photography, Poster, Record Book, Essay, Ad Design, Public Speaking and Cattle Judging

Prizes have started coming in, and they're looking great! Register to have to opportunity to win one!

Contact Madison Tew with questions. 

Alabama's Best Steak

Also only one week away is the kickoff for the Alabama's Best Steak competition. Be getting your nominations ready for July 1. Nominations can be submitted online here. 

2015 YCLP Class Chosen

The 2015 Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program class has been chosen and is scheduled to meet for its first session on July 23 at the ACA headquarters in downtown Montgomery. 

The first session will cover an overview of the state's beef industry, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association's programs and services, including state checkoff endeavors, and its role in the Alabama government. To get hands-on with program teachings, the class will visit the Alabama State House to learn how legislation is passed in the state. The session will conclude with a steak dinner. 

YCLP engages and educates emerging leaders ages 21-35 on current industry issues, leadership skills and production practices through six sessions over the course of one year. Sessions include hands-on experience seminars with experts, on-site tours, meetings with business and government leaders, communication and media / advocacy training, personal leadership study and personal skills improvement. 

The three primary goals of the YCLP are to provide participants with a pasture to plate experience of the Alabama beef industry, to equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and share their beef story with their peers and to create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future.