What. A. Week! Spring fever is setting in as our schedules are on fire with activities. After a year like 2020, we’ll take it! We’re also giddy with joy as we’ve got something big to celebrate at the ACA this week. Keep reading to learn more!
Welcome, Baby Kennedy!
It is with the utmost joy that we announce the safe and healthy arrival of Baby Beau Hawkins Kennedy, the newborn son of ACA’s Jessica Kennedy! Beau Hawkins made his arrival on Tuesday weighing in at 7lbs 4oz, and Mama Jessica is doing well, also! So far he looks like Jessica made over, down to the curly black hair, and we are thrilled to add the newest Beef Baby to the ACA herd. Join us in congratulating Jessica, her husband, Trey, and big sister, Trinity! Take a look at this cutie…
Alabama Junior & Senior High School Beef Cook-Off
This past Saturday at Jefferson State Community College’s Culinary & Hospitality Institute in Birmingham, the ACA hosted the Annual Alabama Junior and Senior High School Beef Cook-off! We had over 20 students registered for this event and they were able to participate in educational sessions to teach them more about the beef industry. They met with Registered Dietician, Elesha Ergle, to talk about nutrition of beef, Chef Todd Jackson of Jefferson State Community College to learn more about the breakdown of a whole Tenderloin, and with ACA staffer, Ali Cantrell, to learn the Pasture to Plate story.
The winners for the contest are as follows:
Overall Best in Beef
Steak Frites prepared by Bethanie Cross of Limestone County
Senior North Division Winners:
1st- Bethanie Cross, Steak Frites, Limestone Co.
2nd- Denisen Justice, Steak Fajitas w Pepper Poppers, Shelby Co.
3rd- James Nichols, Balsamic Glazed Steak Rolls, Calhoun Co.
Senior South Division Winners:
1st- Jessica Criswell, Queso Stuffed Bell Peppers, Washington Co.
2nd- Patricia Williams, Teriyaki Steak Skewers, Russell Co.
3rd- Carrie Salter, Philly Cheesesteak Ring, Baldwin Co.
Junior North Division Winners:
1st- Caroline Green, Seared Steak Salad, Shelby Co.
2nd- Carsean Machristie, Taco Throwdown, Calhoun Co.
3rd- Peyton Parrish, Beef Enchiladas, Franklin Co.
Junior South Division Winenrs:
1st- Lauren Glass, Grilled Ribeye Steak, Washington Co.
2nd- Daniel Navarro, Spinach Mozzerella Stuffed Flank Steak, Baldwin Co.
Senior Division Classroom Award:
Limestone County Career Technical Center
Junior Division Classroom Award:
Washington County High School
Census Celebration- Alabama Counts!
The big news of the week for the state is the official report being released from the US Census. Credit to our great state for getting the work done to complete the census because the direct result was maintaining seven congressional seats in Washington DC! Alabama’s official population count came in at 5,030,053. Now that these results have been released, the legislature can work toward redistricting both state and congressional legislative district lines.
Junior Activities, Coming Up!
ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Desselle is hard at work preparing for the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association(AJCA) Round-Up that is just around the corner. The AJCA Round-Up packet and registration will be live on May 17. Round-Up registration will close July 2. The AJCA Round-Up is more than a calf show. This event is full of educational contest and family fun! We welcome anyone who would like to support our youth by being a spectator. The Round-Up also host the AJCA District Director elections. If you know of a young motivated AJCA member from the ages 15-21 encourage them to apply to the AJCA Board of Directors. The AJCA Board serves the ACA and AWCA by volunteering their time to help out at beef promotional and educational events through out the year. This is a great way for youth to learn more about the industry and connect with industry leaders.
AJCA is excited to host two ZOOM meeting opportunities for county leadership looking to grow their junior cattlemen’s involvement. Join us May 25 or 27 for an hour of discussion with junior leaders across the state! They will share their tips, tricks, and experiences on how to engage youth at a county level. To register or learn more visit our youth event calendar at https://www.bamabeef.org/events/youth.
Hosting Leadership Huntsville
ACA President Clay Kennamer will host Leadership Huntsville at his farm this Friday, which has around 40 community leaders involved. The group will tour his operation and gain insight on his role as Cattlemen’s President. The group is spending 3 days scouring North Alabama to learn about many industries and we are happy they included agriculture on their trip!
YCLP News
We are one month out from welcoming our YCLP Class VIII to Montgomery to kick off their first session. Session 1 will be full of leadership and networking. The class will be joining in on the Spring Board Meeting, attending farm tours, and participating in our BEEF 201 program at the Auburn Meat Lab.
YCLP Alumni from all graduated classes we invited you to join us May 21-22 at Kick Back Ranch! The reunion will give you a chance to catch up with your classmates and meet other young cattlemen. Kick Back Ranch is a family-friendly destination featuring swimming pools, fishing, canoeing, water slides, playgrounds and much more in addition to a variety of western-themed, unique lodging for your family to enjoy! They have offered us a great weekend rate for this event, and we encourage you and your family to make a trip of this reunion. Register today at https://www.bamabeef.org/reunion.
Board Reminder: Save the Date!
The ACA Executive Committee will meet Thursday for a business meeting. A few items of business will be taken care of prior to the Spring Board of Directors Meeting taking place next month. Reminder, board members, we will see you on May 13 for that meeting!
Gear Up for Beef Promos
This week, staffer Ali Cantrell is working on beef promotion for the rest of 2021. She will be traveling to Birmingham to meet with local television stations about airing cooking segments throughout the year and with Associated Grocers of the South to discuss beef promotion within the retail store. Kayla Greer is also putting a stamp on a billboard campaign firing up this summer!
Bama Beef Events Calendar
The online Bama Beef Events Calendar is getting a list of new events daily. As Extension begins to normalize, educational programs are popping up across the state. County cattlemen’s chapters are beginning to think about meeting. Sales are lining up. Steak sandwich sales are firing up, and Junior Cattlemen events eyeball those free summer months! Not only that, but summertime means grilling season. We all know that beef is king of the grill, so summer beef promotions are also firing up! Make it a daily task to check out our calendar and keep an eye on events coming near you!
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