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Nathan Lawson: Kentucky’s Beef Council Committee: Working Together for Success
NATHAN LAWSON
Director of Kentucky Beef Council
Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Ford’s words, still relevant today, are a great reminder. At a time in history, when team work and group cohesion is being re-shaped by circumstances beyond our control, a commitment to connectedness and communication has never been more important. Since its inception in 2015 the Kentucky Beef Council Committee has served as a valuable resource of forward-thinking industry leaders from across the state: a team committed to working together. Committee members represent every segment of the beef life-cycle and supply chain in Kentucky. The committee is charged with the task of identifying potential threats and opportunities for Kentucky’s beef industry and assisting in the development of priorities, shaping the direction of the Kentucky Beef Council and Beef Checkoff funded efforts. The KBC Committee consists of twentynine regular members and one ex officio member (KCA’s Past President). There are twelve producer seats and two young producer seats. Agriculture Industry or organizational seats include representatives from: Kentucky Department of Ag (1), Kentucky Farm Bureau (1), Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association (2), Kentucky Dairy Development Council (1), Cooperative Extension (2), Cattlemen’s Beef Board (2), US Meat Export Federation (1), Health Professional (1), as well as the current KCA President, KCA Association Chairman. The committee is currently led by Chairman, Andy Bishop of Nelson County and Vice Chairman, Chris Cooper of Madison County. Producer seats rotate on a three
2020 KENTUCKY BEEF COUNCIL COMMITTEE
KBC Chairman.......................................................................Andy Bishop KBC Vice Chairman..............................................................Chris Cooper Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association...............................Jim Akers Kentucky Livestock Marketing Association.....................Kent Robertson Kentucky Farm Bureau.............................................................Larry Clark Kentucky Dairy Development Council.........................................H Barlow Kentucky Department of Agriculture......................................Tim Hughes Extension Agent................................................................Michelle Simon Extension Beef Specialist.........................................Dr. James Matthews Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association President.....................Steve Dunning Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Chairman.............................Jeff Pettit Young Producer...............................................................Savannah Robin Young Producer....................................................................Amanda Hall Cattlemen’s Beef Board............................................................Ryan Miller Cattlemen’s Beef Board...................................................Shane Wiseman Health Professional......................................Janine Faber MEd, RDN, LD United States Meat Export Federation.................................Jon Bednarski Past President (Ex Officio)..........................................................Tim White Kentucky Beef Producer.............................................................Jim Gilles Kentucky Beef Producer..........................................................Trent Jones Kentucky Beef Producer...........................................................Eric Davis Kentucky Beef Producer.................................................Danielle Harmon Kentucky Beef Producer......................................................Ricky Haynes Kentucky Beef Producer.......................................................James Coffey Kentucky Beef Producer........................................................David Burge Kentucky Beef Producer........................................................Larry Bryant Kentucky Beef Producer........................................................Starr Girdley Kentucky Beef Producer.....................................................Donovan Pigg Kentucky Beef Producer..........................................................Endre Fink Kentucky Beef Producer..........................................................Anne Bays
year term and are nominated at the county level in collaboration with local extension offices.Industryseatsarefi lled by the organizations they represent, whose term is also determined by their respective organization. Leadership positions, such as Chairman and Vice Chairman originate from KCA’s Nominating Committee and are recommended for approval to the KCA Board of Directors, who ultimately vote on a full slate of leadership for the upcoming year. The KBC committee typically meets three times per year to assist staff in identifying potential opportunities and threats facing our beef industry in the coming year. In addition, staff giv e programing updates to the committee on current year progress and future plans. This collaborative, team approach is so valuable, providing good counsel and positive feedback. The 2020 KBC Committee is an outstanding group who have proven to be committed to the process. Industry leaders, cow/calf producers, backgrounders, direct marketers, seedstock producers, all consumers, women and men who are team players. Kentucky’s 38,000 beef producers have been well represented by this committee. As we approach the end of the 2020 fiscal yearKBCstaffwillfinalizethe2021 Marketing Plan following the direction provided by this committee, along with guidance from the KCA and CBB Long Range Plans. This strategy allows us to capture priorities specific to Kentucky, while maintaining a relevant approach in the national and global market for beef. We’re working together for success, keeping an eye on the horizon, and moving forward to fi nd innovative ways to promote, educate and advocate for our industry to move the needle on beef demand.
