Arizona Beef Council Director and Staff Attend Educational Event
Lauren Maehling, executive director | March 31, 2025
Lauren Maehling, ABC executive director, with ABC Chairman Arie Van Hofwegen and wife Shayla.
The chairman of the Arizona Beef Council joined more than 40 other beef producers and staff from 23 state beef councils (SBCs) to learn about the Beef Checkoff and share ideas during an orientation hosted by the Federation of State Beef Councils. Arie Van Hofwegen of Buckeye, AZ, chairman of the Arizona Beef Council, and Lauren Maehling, executive director, participated in the SBC Director Checkoff Orientation held March 19-20, in Denver.
“We can accomplish so much more when we work together,” said Nancy Jackson, Federation of State Beef Councils chair. “When state beef council directors come together to share ideas, we strengthen the state and national Beef Checkoff partnership.”
SBC staff members and directors learned about their roles and responsibilities as stewards of the Beef Checkoff. Attendees learned about the Beef Act & Order, Checkoff history, fiduciary responsibilities and Checkoff payment compliance.
Staff from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and CattleFax provided vital information about beef supply and demand trends, the National Beef Quality Audit, and how foundational research drives Checkoff program development. The event also served as a way for SBCs to network with one another, meet NCBA staff and learn about available Federation resources.
About the meeting, Arie Van Hofwegen shared, “Our trip to Denver for the Federation of State Beef Councils Orientation was a truly eye-opening experience, showcasing the dedication and expertise of that national staff. Not only are they deeply passionate about their work but they also possess an impressive breadth of knowledge in marketing, consumer preference, and understanding of food trends. Their expertise in highlighting beef’s nutritional benefits, taste, and general preference, left a lasting impression. What stood out most was their meticulous approach to managing beef producers’ Beef Checkoff dollars. The team ensures every expense is diligently accounted for, maximizing the return on investment. By capturing detailed data, they provide valuable feedback on how each dollar spent impacts the demand for beef products, reinforcing our commitment to driving our industry forward with transparency and purpose.”
For more information about how the Arizona Beef Council is driving the demand for beef, visit www.ArizonaBeef.org.
About the Federation of State Beef Councils
Created in 1963, the Federation of State Beef Councils represents the 43 Qualified State Beef Councils and is committed to its vision, which is to build beef demand by inspiring, unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership. State beef councils voluntarily invest in the Federation to enhance the national Checkoff and leverage producer dollars through a coordinated partnership. Housed at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, the Federation is a grassroots organization run by producers across the country.