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In addition to her college duties, Sampson is also a member of this year’s five-member National Beef Ambassador team, which means she’ll travel the country during 2009 serving as a spokesperson for the beef industry. Here, she shares a little about her agricultural roots and her journey to becoming a beef ambassador.

Ag Upbringing
Sampson grew up near the small town of Yreka, in Northern California, where her family has a flock of about 100 sheep and 50 acres for raising hay. She’s been active showing jackpot market lambs around California and at the state fair, and exhibited market steers at her county fair.

As a nine-year-old she started in 4-H, and then as a high school freshman joined her high school FFA chapter, where she eventually held the offices of Reporter, Secretary and President. Livestock judging and public speaking were among her activities – as well as sports including volleyball, track and the ski team. These activities gave her a firm foundation toward being involved.

Sampson also says that although she did not grow up on a cattle ranch, she was surrounded by it her entire life, which gave her an affinity toward agriculture and the beef industry.

Thus, when local cattlewoman Barbara Cowley spoke to her high school class one day about the Beef Ambassador program, Sampson’s interest was piqued. “I liked how it involved public speaking, promoting the cattle industry, and interacting with the general public,” Sampson says.

At that time, she was just a high school junior. She competed and won the California Junior division of the Beef Ambassador contest. Then as a high school senior, she decided she’d like to compete again and hoped she’d be able to make it all the way to the national competition in Oklahoma.

Not only did she make it to nationals, from twenty contestants she was named one of the five 2009 Beef Ambassadors during the October 2008 competition. Contestants participating in the National Beef Ambassador Competition were judged in the areas of consumer promotion, classroom presentation, media interview and issues response.

Crisscrossing The Country
Throughout 2009 Sampson and her Beef Ambassador team will travel the country teaching others about the beef industry – from the nutritional attributes of beef to how beef producers care for their livestock.

Already, the team has attended a Certified Angus Beef training in Wooster, Ohio, and the NCBA Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. Sampson adds, “On our schedule we have several other events coming up including the Boston Marathon, along with several State Fairs. Our responsibilities always include being respectful, punctual, and appropriate, while continuously striving to promote the beef industry.”

Additionally, the students are being trained on media interviews and blogging, and will each be maintaining their own blog sites. “Our goal is to respond to negative and positive beef issues in the news through newspaper articles, radio appearances, and internet comments. We also try to do promotions within our own communities,” Sampson says.

Of her experiences thus far, Sampson says, “I have already learned an amazing amount. Everything from media interviews, to opening conversations with people, to getting key messages across. I have become much more familiar with the beef industry, and also with consumer concerns and questions. One of the surprising aspects is the amazing amount of support we receive. From people in the industry and out, it has already been a rewarding experience.”

One memorable moment thus far occurred during her last day at the NCBA convention in Phoenix. A PETA demonstrator was protesting outside the convention center, and Sampson was asked to be on hand at the site with a rancher to serve as spokespeople for the beef industry if any reporters came to cover the demonstration.

Sampson says, “While I was waiting for this potential interview, it hit me that this is real. No filters, no pat on the back story for the industry, people could be affected by this. While I did not actually get interviewed, the realization that our Beef Ambassador team had the power, resources, and opportunities to truly do something positive for the beef industry really sunk in.”

Ag Affects Everyone
Sampson says the most important message is that “ag is important to everyone’s lives – whether they know it or not.”

She recognizes that having grown up in agriculture was a beneficial experience, and says, “I want to give back to this great industry… I am continually amazed at how dedicated and truly concerned everyone in the beef industry is, and not only for their own healthy, beneficial product, but for their consumers as well.”

Looking toward her future, Sampson is presently a UC-Davis freshman majoring in Animal Science and Management. She hopes to continue on to grad school after receiving her Bachelor’s degree, and says, “I honestly do not know exactly what I want to do yet, but I will definitely be continuing in the field of agriculture. Right now I think my dream job could possibly be in the political/legislative side of agriculture. It will be interesting to see where I end up.”

After 2009, the National Beef Ambassador Program was facing budget cuts that made the continuation of the program uncertain, but Sampson says through support from many members in the cattle industry it appears the program will continue.

“The Cattlewomen’s Association along with the Beef Ambassador staff have done an amazing job fundraising so it looks like we are on schedule for our regular program this year, and we are all working to solidify this program so it can continue to benefit all who are involved in future years to come,” Sampson says.

She adds, “If there were no National Beef Ambassador program, I would be frustrated. This program is so helpful and beneficial all around. Not only does this program reach out to thousands of consumers, but we as ambassadors grow, learn, and meet so many people.”
Her advice to other young people in agriculture is this: “Stay in ag. Get involved, get your friends involved, and make connections with people. There are so many opportunities…We are the future; we will decide which road agriculture turns down; and I know we will do just fine.”

Editor’s Note: Joining Jessica Sampson on the 2009 Beef Ambassador Team are Sierra Simpson, Kremlin, OK; Sharon Byrne, Nottingham, PA; Allison Grainger, Brenham, TX; and Bradley Copenhaver, Blackburg, VA.

California Cowgirl Is 2009 Miss Rodeo America
Promoting the sport of rodeo this year is an Alta Loma, California cowgirl who earned the title of 2009 Miss Rodeo America. She is Maegan Ridley, and of earning her title at the 2008 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, she said: “As Miss Rodeo America I will show everyone why my heroes have always been cowboys…What an honor it will be to prove the American cowboy is alive and well.”

In addition to her rodeo interests, Ridley is pursuing an Associate of Science Degree in Anatomy and Physiology with focus on Speech Language Pathology. Her further educational goals are to obtain a Master of Speech Language Pathology with concentration on rehabilitation.

Ridley’s advice to others is this: “Life doesn’t always stand tied at the hitching post, sometimes you have to get a lope after it.” She says she applied that mantra to her own hard work and preparation for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

Several women from the West also did well in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, finalists included: First Runner-up – Stacy Jo Johnson, Miss Rodeo Wyoming; Second Runner-up - Tara Trask, Miss Rodeo South Dakota; Third Runner-up – Megan Grieve, Miss Rodeo Colorado; and Fourth Runner-up - Renae Cowley, Miss Rodeo Utah.