Happy December! The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has found its way into the ACA office as we prepare to close things out for 2016 and look ahead to the new year. We are crossing our T’s and dotting our I’s as we finish up programs from this year and look ahead toward all the events that lie ahead in 2017. It’s going to be a BIG year!
Take a break from wading through all the mud puddles (We say that with very grateful hearts!) and warm up for a few minutes as you enjoy this week’s update from the ACA state staffers.
What’s our favorite Christmas gift? Working for Alabama’s cattle producers…
Membership Drawing
We haven’t forgotten about the drawing. It’s coming your way soon as Jessica finishes up inserting the many submissions into our membership software. Thanks to all who got their Early Bird memberships in and good luck in the drawing! Stay tuned for the lucky winners…
Capital City Stampede- 74th Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show
The Capital City Stampede will be held Feb. 15-16, 2017 at the Renaissance Hotel and Montgomery Convention Center in Montgomery, Ala. Registration is now open online, and mail-in registration forms are available in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. You can also book your hotel now through this link or by calling 334-481-5000 and ask for the Cattlemen’s Block using the mini code “CAT.”
To date, we have confirmed three speakers for the many sessions in the Convention. The first is 10-year veteran of CattleFax, Clay Spearman. The Colorado State University graduate will discuss weather predictions and cattle price outlooks during one of the Convention’s sessions. Next on the lineup is NCBA Past President Steve Foglesong who is now serving as a member of President-Elect Donald Trump’s agricultural advisory team. Foglesong will give us a look inside the future of American agriculture under the Trump Administration. Also confirmed is NCBA’s Senior VP of Global Marketing and Research Alisa Harrison. Alisa comes with vast experience in the worlds of beef retail marketing and public relations, and she will be giving an update on Checkoff efforts globally.
Also, the Trade Show is filling up! Fifty+ vendors are locked in including some great equipment vendors. Make plans to attend and show these vendors how much we appreciate them exhibiting with us! Visit www.BamaBeef.org/Convention to register now. You can also stay up-to-date with all the newest announcements by joining our Convention Event Page on Facebook.
Christmas at The MOOseum
Moo-ey Christmas! This year, we are proud to announce that The MOOseum is now a Toys for Tots Drop-Off Location. Bring your unwrapped toys by the ACA to donate to less-fortunate children during the Christmas season and stick around for a tour! We’ve already had so many wonderful donations and are grateful to those who have stopped by to make a child’s Christmas bright.
We’ve also got another exciting Christmas treat this year! This Friday, December 9, you can bring your kiddos to The MOOseum for our very first Moo-ey Christmas event! We are hosting children from the River Region into The MOOseum for photos with Santa, a cookie decorating station, coloring time and tours of The MOOseum with real, live show calves (courtesy of AJCA President Cameron Catrett) for the children to see! Bring your little ones by next Friday morning to join in on all the Christmas cheer…and don’t forget your toy donation!
Montgomery Wellness Forum
On Thursday, the Montgomery Wellness Forum will meet in our building to discuss programs incorporating healthy choices in the workplace. This group consists of large business in Montgomery as well as public health officials, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. We love having this group in our building because it gives us a chance to remind them about the recent research and resources available to keep beef in their healthy lifestyles that they are implementing in the workplace.
YCLP Meeting 4
This weekend holds the final meeting for our third class of YCLP students. They’ll be joining here at the Cattlemen’s Building for a discussion entitled, “Deep Dive into Your Leadership Potential.” It will focus on leadership on the county level and offer continued training in beef advocacy.
This is the last session before Class III graduates at the ACA Convention.
Still on Drought Defense
Even after all this wonderful rainfall, we are still playing defense in terms of the drought. This week, ACA leadership met with representatives from the Dept of Ag, ALFA, Auburn University and other allied industry partners to focus on hay needs of cattlemen looking to feed their cattle through the spring. The group is working with the goal to seek out potential government funding for hauling hay into the state.
SLE Rodeo
We’ve got a lot of SLE Rodeo planning in the works as we look to close out 2017. This afternoon, we are meeting with longtime SLE Rodeo media consultant Lisa Matthews Locklar to plan the promotional campaign for the 60th annual SLE Rodeo.
Next week on December 16, tickets for the four rodeo performances will open on all platforms to the general public! Rodeo tickets can be purchased online at SLERodeo.com, by calling 1-888-2RODEO2, through mail-in order forms available online, by visiting the Garrett Coliseum Box Office or at a local Publix.
We are also excited to announce that local rodeo entertainer Trent McFarland is our featured act during this year’s SLE Rodeo. Trent is from Autauga County and has performed with his wife, Wendy, across the southeast in rodeo events. He has been the featured act in past SLE Miracle Rodeo’s, and we are excited to have Trent on the main stage at the SLE Rodeo for its 60th anniversary show!
Revitalizing Greene County Cattlemen’s
ACA Executive Vice President Dr. Billy Powell is meeting with a group of producers from Greene County to discuss reorganizing the Greene County Cattlemen’s Association chapter. The chapter, which has held low membership and little activity in the past several years, is looking for a nudge in the right direction on rejuvenation. We’re happy to help counties meet their true potential and are proud that Greene County is taking a step in the right direction of improvement!
That’s a Wrap, 2016
Welcome, 2017!
We have many meetings happening over the course of the next few weeks to help wrap up the 2016 year at the ACA. Final reports are due and nominating and finance committees are meeting close the books on 2016 and look ahead to 2017. A Scholarship Selection Committee is in the works and are looking through a record number of scholarship applications! The goal is to notify the winners by mid-January. Stay tuned!
One Final Note…Good News!
For those who have been following the Meadows’ Family story since ACA President-Elect Richard Meadows’ middle son, Will, was in an accident sustaining head injuries just before Thanksgiving, they have good news to share! Their family is so appreciative of the prayers and support they have received since the accident and are pleased to report that Will has made leaps and bounds in his recovery since last week’s post. Today, he is headed to Shepherd’s of Atlanta for a minimum of four weeks in rehab. They ask for continued prayers for improvement and patience through the rehab process. Follow Will’s progress on the Will’s Journey Facebook Group.
His mother, Kathy, said he would appreciate any and all cards, texts, emails, social media posts, etc. We will update here once we receive the mailing address!
Thanks for checking out this week’s blog post! We’ll be back here next week with another update. Until then, keep up with our day-to-day activites by visiting our website (BamaBeef.org), our Events Calendar or FOLLOW US on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Have a great week!