Minnesota Beef Council representatives attend national convention in Colorado

Photo courtesy of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Kelly Schmidt, MBC Chief Executive Officer, and Ashley Wulf, MBC Communications Director, photographed alongside all Partnership in Action conference attendees.

The annual Partnerships in Action (PIA) conference, held Oct. 13-16 in Denver, Colorado, brought state beef councils from across the country together to learn about the work of the Beef Checkoff. Attendees representing the Minnesota Beef Council (MBC) discussed ways national efforts can be expanded in Minnesota and developed a game plan for implementation. Coordinated by the Federation of State Beef Councils and funded by the Beef Checkoff, PIA strengthens the state and national Checkoff partnership. 

Professional baseball player Ty Blach was the event’s keynote speaker and shared how his agricultural roots instilled the drive and work ethic to succeed in baseball. Blach’s parents grew up on Colorado’s eastern plains and the Blach family ranch in Yuma provided many life lessons during his formative years. Growing up, he spent a lot of time on the ranch branding cattle and seeing firsthand how agriculture provides opportunities. 

During his presentation Blach stated, “Agriculture is at the heart of who I am and what I do every day.”

Blach’s inspirational message focused on the value of teamwork and mentoring others so everyone can be their best. 

“It is awesome to know state beef councils across the country are working together to share ideas and to be there for each other,” he said. “Everyone is here for a reason – sharing their passion about beef.”

Topics discussed during PIA highlighted how the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, and state beef councils work together to drive demand for beef. Attendees learned about program strategy, current consumer trends and preferences, and upcoming Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. promotions. More than 65 staff members from 30 state beef councils participated in the event, including Kelly Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, and Ashley Wulf, Communications Director from the Minnesota Beef Council. 

“When state beef councils gather together and share ideas, everyone wins,” said Kelly Schmidt, MBC Chief Executive Officer. “It is exciting to share what we are doing with others, and I always bring home new ideas to implement in Minnesota.”

The Minnesota Beef Council is part of the Federation of State Beef Councils and voluntarily invests in the Federation to enhance the national Checkoff and leverage producer dollars through a coordinated partnership. For more information about how the Minnesota Beef Council is driving the demand for beef, visit mnbeef.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.

About the 

Minnesota Beef Council

The Minnesota Beef Council was established in 1967 and is funded and managed by beef farmers and ranchers. Through the Beef Checkoff Program, $1 is obtained for every head of cattle sold. The council utilizes promotion, education, and research to strengthen beef demand and improve the marketing climate of beef. To learn more about beef, visit mnbeef.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Minnesota Beef.