Repenning represents S.D. at National Beef Ambassador Contest

PIERRE — Kelsey Repenning, a junior animal science student at South Dakota State University, competed in the 2015 National Beef Ambassador contest in Denver, CO, on Sept. 26-27.

The annual competition, which is funded in part by the Beef Checkoff and managed by the American National CattleWomen, Inc., featured 20 senior contestants, ages 17-21, and 10 junior contestants, ages 12-16.

Repenning, daughter of Steve and Lori of Blacktop Farms in Mitchell, S.D., competed in the senior division, where she was judged in the areas of consumer promotion, education and outreach strategy, media interview technique and issues response.

To prepare for the contest, Repenning spent the last year as the South Dakota Beef Ambassador, where she promoted beef to consumers at events hosted by the South Dakota Beef Industry Council (SDBIC) and other beef industry organizations.

“We are very proud of Kelsey and the outstanding job she did representing South Dakota both at the National Beef Ambassador contest as well as throughout her reign,” said Briana Burgers, SDBIC nutrition assistant and director of online communications. “We are very fortunate to have such enthusiastic and passionate youth advocating and promoting for our industry.”

As state and national beef ambassadors, participating youth speak on industry issues and address misconceptions about beef. They educate their peers and influence meal-time decision makers about beef nutrition, cattle care, safety and environmental stewardship. They are beef industry leaders, with a voice at consumer events, in the classroom and online.

Follow the National Beef Ambassadors on Twitter at @beefambassador and visit www.nationalbeefambassador.org or www.ancw.org for more information.

For details on the South Dakota Beef Ambassador program, check out www.sdbeef.org or the South Dakota Beef Industry Council on Facebook.