Kansas celebrates Beef Month in May

For 26 years, the largest agricultural commodity in Kansas has been celebrated in May. And this year is no different; Governor Mark Parkinson has declared May as Beef Month! What a better time to get out the grill, have a gathering of friends and family and enjoy a great tasting steak or hamburger!

The agriculture industry is under scrutiny and the watchful eye of many groups who are telling the wrong story about our livelihoods, it's time for us to step up to the plate and showcase our industry as it really is.

One way to do this is to join the Beef Advocacy Network (BAN). This is a group that has passion and advocates for the beef industry by assisting with check-off activities, being a beef spokesperson, sharing nutritional information on beef, and countering false or misleading information. After joining you receive emails with up to date information on what to be watching for and suggestions to promote the beef industry. The BAN is a local effort done to the extent you feel comfortable with and have the time for.

The Kansas Beef Endurance Team is comprised of athletes who know that physical activity combined with a balanced diet of nutrient rich lean protein, low fat dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables is the way to a healthy lifestyle. If you are a runner who believes in the nutritional value of beef in your training regiment, who would be a positive role model of the beef industry, and are willing to share this with others, this opportunity might be for you.

More information on BAN and the Beef Endurance Team may be found at www.kansasbeef.org or by calling (785) 273-5225.

If you wish to take a more in-depth approach to beef advocacy, I'd suggest the Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program. This is a national program which includes six self-directed online classes focused on environmental stewardship, animal care, beef safety and nutrition, modern beef production and the Check-off. Graduates are equipped with the background to give presentations to schools and civic groups, have an online presence with social media, and work with the media. For more information and an application contact the National Cattlemen's Beef Association at (303) 694-0305.

Maybe these ideas are not for you, perhaps you'd rather host a grade school class to your farm for the day or write a letter to the editor or speak to a civic group.

The time is now, no matter what agriculture industry you are in, people are telling "your" story... and it's the wrong one. Do you think the radical activist would be out in a blizzard to check on cows? Do you think they would allow a newborn calf into their homes for the night so he has a good start to his life? We all know folks who do this on a regular basis and often times put their livestock in front of anything else.

Let's each do our part to promote the production agriculture industry in the light it deserves. After all, who else is going to feed the every growing world population on less and less acres with higher and higher input costs... The American Farmer.

Editor's Note: Delta George is a K-State Research and Extension agriculture and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720.