Arizona FFA Students Compete in Second Annual Beef Advocacy Contest

TIFFANY SELCHOW, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MARKETING AND CONSUMER OUTREACH | April 17, 2024

Tiffany Selchow, Arizona Beef Council, with Abigail Hurst, Katherine Johnson and Dylan Erwin.

The second annual Arizona FFA Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) contest kicked off in August 2023, and the awards were announced on February 24, 2024 at the Arizona FFA Spring Conference. The purpose of the MBA Career Development Event is to provide FFA students with knowledge and understanding of beef and the beef lifecycle and the tools to share that information. 

To enter, students complete the MBA program, which is funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, then plan, conduct, and evaluate an informational lesson about cattle and/ or beef. Judges score a lesson plan, teaching video, and reflective essay, all developed by the student. 134 of the contestants’ peers were reached in the presentation portion. Each of the students’ advisors are also required to complete the MBA training course. 

This year’s winner, Dylan Erwin from the Basha FFA Chapter, provided an exceptional entry, showcasing his deep understanding of the beef community. Katherine Johnson from the Canyon View FFA Chapter received 2nd place, and 3rd place went to Abigail Hurst from the Dobson FFA Chapter. All entrants demonstrated outstanding knowledge and dedication. These top 3 winners won cash prizes and will join the Arizona Beef Council for an in-person industry tour and steak dinner. 

Thank you to the Arizona Cattle Growers’, Arizona Cattle Feeders and Arizona Farm and Ranch Group for sponsoring the prizes. 

Edited to add: The ranch tour portion of the prize for our winners was conducted April 27 at the Quarter Circle U Ranch with Jordan Selchow, ranch manager, filling the roll of host. The students and their advisors were welcomed to the ranch for a full tour, learning how it operates to maximize animal care, sustainable land use practices, all while producing a product consumers love and trust. After the tour, contestants, Arizona Beef Council staff, family and friends enjoyed a delicious steak dinner with great company.    

"Competing in the FFA Masters of Beef Advocacy Contest was an awesome experience because it helped me explore more about the beef industry. The experience helped me better understand the beef industry and its many facets. I would recommend this contest to anyone who’s looking to develop a broader sense of knowledge about the beef industry as well as increase their skills in agricultural advocacy!!”

Dylan Erwin, Basha FFA, 1st place winner

"The Masters of Beef Advocacy contest was a very rewarding experience for me. I learned a lot about the beef industry from the online course and through the ranch tour that I went on where I got to see firsthand the work and dedication that goes into this honorable industry. I felt that it also was very rewarding for me to teach a class about beef and correct some of those misconceptions some may have about the welfare of the animals. And when I went on that tour, I knew for sure that I was right, these animals do have great lives and this industry is a good and strong one. I really couldn’t have asked for a better competition. Thank you again for putting on this event!”

Abigail Hurst, Dobson FFA, 3rd place winner