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ANCW Youth Development

Committee breakout session shares opportunities for youth.

by Kasey Miller, associate editor

 

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 5, 2013) — There are many opportunities through the American National CattleWomen Inc. (ANCW) for youth of all ages. Some of these opportunities were highlighted at the ANCW Youth Development breakout session Feb. 5 preceding the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in Tampa, Fla.

 

Rebecca Been presented some elementary school “ag-centric” lesson plans. Cattlewomen can walk the walk, but it is also important to talk the talk, she said. It is very important to reach out to young children, because the early years are their formative years. They need positive images and feelings about our industry. The challenge is, children have a lot of information coming at them from all directions, so their attention must be grabbed from the start.

 

For examples of the lesson plans she presented, visit www.kerncattlewomen.org.

 

Been said some schools are harder to gain access to in order to share an agricultural message. She provided some tips on gaining access.

 

Show how your lesson plan helps the class meet their learning standards, she advised. Physical education is even a great way to open the door. Been explained that in California, classes have a set amount of minutes that must be devoted to physical education. To meet that standard, she explained a game played outside that has children match balloons with brands into their respective buckets, or ranches. This lets them run outside, explains why fences and brands are important, and helps develop letter recognition.

 

She said library time is another good way to get into the school, especially on March 2, which is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. One of his lesser-known books, called The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories, even has a story called “Steak for Supper.”

 

Been concluded with a quote from Harvard University President Drew Gilpin: “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

 

Emily Meredith, Animal Agriculture Alliance director of communications, explained her organization’s College Aggies Online (COA) program. This program helps students master social media platforms, is outwardly focused, educates students on emerging issues, and merges with Alliance goals and programs. Student participation has increased since its inception in 2009, and she said the Alliance hopes to continue that trend. For 2014, she said the program hopes to find more ideas on gaining reach via social media, to teach how to write effectively and to educate youth on how to deal with conflict.

 

Sarah Bohnenkamp, executive director and COO of ANCW, explained the National Beef Ambassador Program, through which a team of five students serves as ambassadors by conducting media interviews, consumer demonstrations, issue response, and classroom presentations.

 

For more information about the ANCW and its programs, visit www.ancw.org.