What a way to welcome in December. Snow in North Alabama, and heavy frost everywhere else! The cold air and the full calendars are a sure sign that the year is coming to an end. Whether the calendar is full with industry events like bull sales and county annual meetings or Christmas events with loved ones, it’s a busy— yet wonderful— time of year! Speaking of wonderful…Alabama’s cattle producers are a pretty wonderful group to work for, so keep reading to learn what your state staff is working on this week.
Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Class VIII Apps Now Live
Applications for Class VIII of the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) are now live on our website! YCLP is funded in part by the Alabama State Checkoff. This program aims to identify the state’s top young cattlemen and develop them into leaders of our industry. The class will have production and consumer based tours from May 2021 – March 2022. This program provides networking, leadership, and experience to cattlemen ranging in ages 22-40.
We are excited to see this program continue to grow. Last year, we had a record number of applications. To help the committee with selection process we have added a component to the YCLP application. Applicants will now have to submit a letter of recommendation from a YCLP alumni or county cattlemen’s leadership. For all who are interested you can apply here. Applications close January 31, 2021.
Working With Our Friends in Nutrition
On December 1, The MOOseum hosted child nutrition specialists from the Alabama Department of Education. The Department of Education utilized the child-like kitchen facilities of The MOOseum to film a 5-minute video about meal component crediting and how to prepare a healthy meal for youth. We are excited to see our MOOseum featured in a video that will have the potential to educate families on dietary guidelines and the necessity of having great quality protein on your plate!
Membership Update
The 2020 Membership Year will close this Friday, and to date, the ACA is home to 9,601 members. ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy will begin work closing out the year in the system on Friday and will notify county leaders when the system is live for the input of 2021 members. Stay tuned for more news from her and don’t forget that giving an ACA membership as a gift this holiday season is a great way to show the cattleman in your life how much you mean to them! Give a membership as a gift at www.BamaBeef.org/Join.
Social Media Fired Up for Holiday Roasting
Digital ads were flighted this week featuring a variety of topics surrounding holiday roasting. The ads feature roast recipes, roasting hacks and promote the Drool Log. The ads were targeted to Alabama consumers and household decision-makers ages 25-65 who have a positive attitude toward beef. So far the ads are performing excellent and are receiving positive feedback! Be sure to feature the Drool Log on smart screens at your upcoming holiday events, and don’t forget to share The Night Before Beefmas with Your favorite farm kids!
Junior Board Set to Meet
The Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Board of Directors will have their winter meeting this weekend. Staffer Morgan Pounds will take the juniors south to Andalusia for this meeting. Juniors will work on team bonding Friday and enjoy a steak and some Christmas lights in downtown Andalusia. The board will get to business on Saturday as they discuss upcoming events for youth across Alabama. This year’s AJCA Board would love to come to your county meeting to discuss youth involvement. If you would like a junior board member to speak please let Jessica Kennedy know when you update us on your county meeting details!
Wishes for Warriors in Colbert County
This Saturday, ACA’s Ali Cantrell will be attending the Wishes for Warriors event at Rattlesnake Saloon in Tuscumbia, AL. This is the second year that Colbert County Cattlemen’s Association will be preparing ribeye steak sandwiches for the veterans attending this event. We are excited to meet the veterans and thank them for their service to our country!
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