Are you age 20 or older, and do you have a leadership drive and a passion for the beef industry? After two years of dormancy because of COVID-19, the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association is excited to bring back its annual Young Cattlemen’s Conference from Aug. 11-13.

YCC is designed to provide attendees with industry insight and opportunities to take home and use to keep their own operations progressive and profitable. Participants will be challenged to think outside the box as they practice their public relations skills and learn beneficial ways to present their operations and the beef industry to consumers.

Attendees will also visit the Ohio Statehouse and discuss issues with elected officials. They will learn more about the product they produce through participation in a mini-Beef 509 program at Ohio State University’s Department of Animal Sciences, and will take a behind-the-scenes tour of the OSU football practice facility. Attendees will have ample opportunity to network with industry leaders from across the state.

The conference will begin the evening of Aug. 11 and end after lunch Aug. 13. County cattlemen’s associations are encouraged to nominate participants, but individuals may also self-nominate.

The cost for the event is $200 per person or $350 per couple. This includes all meals, a two-night hotel stay, workshops and a T-shirt. Event sponsors include Farm Credit Mid-America and the Ohio Beef Council.

For more information or to register or nominate for the conference, visit ohiocattle.org, or contact the OCA office at [email protected] or 614-873-6736.

Agriculture returns to Rio Grande

On May 24 at Bob Evans Farm, the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College announced a new degree coming this fall: an associate degree in meat science.

Focusing on beef cattle, small ruminant production and the end products, students will have significant hands-on experience with livestock and meat science, and learn valuable business management skills. Graduates will have a competitive advantage in seeking jobs in the agriculture industry.

The program is in collaboration with Ohio State University and will utilize the OSU Agricultural Research Station and Extension Office in Jackson, Ohio, for the first year. In the fall of 2023, classes will move to a permanent structure located on the farm at the main Rio campus.

NEW DEGREE: Steve Evans and Debbie Donskov attended and celebrated the announcement of the meat science degree coming to the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College this fall. Rio has had a long relationship with Bob Evans Farm.

Classes will be taught at the Rio main campus, center locations and the research station. Ohio State faculty will teach agricultural and animal science courses. Rio Grande will focus on general education and business courses. Students will also have the full support of Rio’s student success coaches and academic advisers.

Rio has had a long relationship with Bob Evans Farm. Sixty years ago, Rio sold a portion of its land to restaurateur Bob Evans. The farm was the start of the Bob Evans legacy, and still houses the original Bob Evans Restaurant and the homestead. In 2017, a portion of this same land was donated back to Rio by the Bob Evans Corp.

Students interested in applying for the program can visit rio.edu/meat-science.

ACEL names 2022 Outstanding Seniors

The Ohio State University Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership has named 13 students to the 2022 class of ACEL Outstanding Seniors. These students were selected by the faculty and staff of the department for their excellence both in and out of the classroom.

The 2022 ACEL Outstanding Seniors include:

Those selected for the 2022 Outstanding Senior award will graduate in the 2022 calendar year. They were recently recognized at the department’s annual banquet April 19 at the Ohio 4-H Center on Ohio State’s Columbus campus.

ACEL prepares communicators, educators and leaders in the food, agricultural and environmental sciences to integrate research-based learning, practice and engagement in ways that will advance positive changes that strengthen individuals, families and communities.

For more information on the academic programs and research available in ACEL, or to donate to student scholarships, visit acel.osu.edu.