Chewing The Cud

I opened up the floor for questions, and the response was great. Now, GULP...I have to actually answer the inquiries. Well, here it goes...

How do you overcome the negative and uneducated comments your peers say in regards to the beef/dairy industry? Do you ever think, "maybe I should shut up on this one.?" I guess what I'm getting at is do you ever let peer presure influence what you say and when you speak up?

There are many misconceptions and outright lies surrounding the agriculture industry. My philosophy is that if I don't stand up for this industry that I love, who will? There are so many negative people that think I'm radical for doing this and think it's silly to care so much. The future of agriculture and food production is in our hands. Who better to stand up and represent agriculture than yourself?

When did your passion to promote agriculture blossom? Have you always been this way or was there one certain event in your life that made you sit back and say,"I want to promote agriculture with a vengence!"

I was always my dad's little farm girl. Everytime he needed help out side, I would race him outside. The bulls were my favorite, and as I grew up, I became more involved with my family's cattle operation. Then, when I hit high school, everything drastically changed. I was the "farm" girl with the "cows", and I got teased for something I truly loved. Instead of being myself, I tried to mold into everyone else. Be normal. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with agriculture, and I thought there definitely was no future in it for me. It wasn't until my year as a National Beef Ambassador in 2006 that truly changed my life. I realized that I needed to use my voice to stand up for the one thing I am most passionate about, despite what everyone else thought. I haven't turned back, and now I'm putting my entire heart and sole into serving the agriculture industry.

What college do you attend?

I'm a proud Jackrabbit at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. I'm studying Agricultural Journalism and Spanish. I'm in my second year here, and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I plan on graduating in May of 2009.

How does one become a Beef Ambassador?

The National Beef Ambassador Program is a spokesperson program for the beef industry. Although the program has seen a few changes in recent years, in my day, it was a speech and interview contest for students ages 17-20. First, one must win their state competition, and then advance to nationals. The national team consists of five young people, and they travel across the country promoting the beef industry. Basically, it was the most exciting year of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. For more information, click here.

Have the challenges of being so heavily involved in the agriculture industry adversely effected your grades at University or are you kicking, shall we say, rump roast?

I will admit that my first semester of college was an adjustment as I was still a beef ambassador, and I was still learning the rules of college: studying, socializing, living on my own, etc. My time at college has taught me many things, but the most important thing it has taught me is balance. Time management is key to a busy girl like myself, and I try to fill up every hour of the day with something progressive. Although, sometimes, I just have to remember to take a breather and be a kid. I really should do that more often...

How supportive have your family and friends been to you through this crusade of yours?

My parents are amazing. You won't find more hardworking and driven people anywhere. My parents both have jobs off the farm, and both work hard to make our cattle operation thrive into something we can all be proud of. My mom is a Chief Financial Officer for a corporation in Mitchell, and my dad works for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. They have taught me that if you put 110% into everything you do, you can do amazing things. My two younger sisters also drive me to set an example of all the amazing things they do if they put their minds to it. If you can dream it, you can achieve it.

Now, during my walkout on a Carrie Underwood concert last year, they were a little more concerned about how far I would go to stand up for agriculture. To be honest, my dad thought I was going to jail. Truthfully though, they are the best. I couldn't ask for more supportive parents.

What activities are you in at school?

Oh boy, this list is long. I'm in Block and Bridle and serve as the Beef Chair. I serve as the First Vice President for Sigma Alpha Professional Women's Agricultural Sorority. I work on staff for Little International, the largest student run two-day agriculture event in the country, as a publicity superintendent. I've just begun my year on the SDSU Meats Judging team. It's been pretty intense thus far. Our first contest is next week. (More about my adventures there later)

AND...in my spare time, I have a radio show with Trent Loos that airs weekly on over 100 radio stations, with over 4 million listeners. I freelance write for two outstanding papers, Tristate Livestock News and Farmers' Advance. Oh, and last but certainly not least, I converse with all of you on my blog. I'm sorry for the inconsistency of writing at times, and my complete absence at other times. When NCBA set up this blog for our ambassador team, I never thought it would expand to something like this. It's like my online journal, and I get to give you all a sneak peek. :)

What do you want to do upon graduation?

Gosh, this is a tough one. There are so many amazing opportunities and adventures to be had out in the real world. I want to do public relations, I want to write, I want to travel, I want to speak, I want to farm, I want to raise cattle, I want a family, but most of all, I want to be happy. My ultimate dream is to put my heart into writing a book someday. Truly, I know that whatever I do, if I'm following my heart and chasing my passions, I will always be happy.

With Love, Putting Agriculture First,

Amanda