The Center for Beef Advocacy: Trailblazer Home

The Trailblazers program was established in 2021 to identify, train, equip, and empower the next generation of advocates in the beef community. Trailblazers is the leading advocacy program within the beef community that selects ten elite advocates per year. Over the course of a year long professional development program, Trailblazers develop the necessary tools to facilitate quality conversations, bridge new partnerships, prepare new advocates at the grassroots level, and safeguard the work of our producers, ranchers, and cattle farmers across the United States.

Trailblazers are guided by four foundational efforts

as they work to Blaze New Trails

Reach across conversations in the beef community and provide an environment that facilitates new partnerships.

Train and empower fellow advocates to better understand the power of their role in the beef community, while mobilizing and activating a renewed grassroots network to sustain the livelihood of the ranchers and producers we represent.

Actively engage in conversations, debunking misinformation, and promoting the work of producers, ranchers, cattle farmers, and all members of the beef community to diverse audiences.

Ignite a growing grassroots network of advocates across the country who are driving demand for beef, promoting beef's unique attributes to new audiences.

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ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?

To apply you must:

Have completed your Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) or received state level beef advocacy training as a pre-requisite to applying.
Be at least 21 years of age as of the deadline to apply. Have demonstrated how you have "blazed your own trails" within the beef and agriculture community.
Respond to all questions listed in the application. Provide at least two references from mentors, advisors, industry professionals, or peers.

APPLY TODAY CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS

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Testimonials

By client

Natalie Jones,

Nebraska

It has been an honor being part of the inaugural Trailblazers class. It’s so meaningful to work towards sharing the truths about agriculture and being part of an effort that’s bigger than myself and my family’s operation. Best of all, I get to learn and grow alongside new teammates & visionaries within the beef industry whom I respect & admire.

Markie Hageman-Jones,

California

Trailblazers is an immersive experience that is invaluable to those wanting to be true leaders and advocates. It becomes a tight knit group of people who can help you break down your fears and build new skills. We were empowered, through knowledge and encouragement, to use our voices in more effective ways and seek opportunities within the industry.

Haley Ammann-Ekstrom,

Minnesota

When I signed up for the Trailblazers program I wasn’t sure what to expect with myself or with the team I’d be working with since it was a newly revamped program. I quickly found out that not only is the beef industry in great hands for the years to come, but also that each of us has different strengths that we bring to the industry and to our communities; I was able to learn from NCBA but also from the teammates that I now call friends. It’s funny how we go into certain programs with unknown expectations, and we come out on the other side with sound valuable information that shapes us into better spokespeople for the industry, a bigger network, and a higher confidence in ourselves.

Jaclyn Wilson,

Nebraska

Trailblazers has provided a great opportunity to learn not only more about the Beef Checkoff, but about how to share positive beef messaging with others in an effective way.

Shaye Koester,

North Dakota

The Trailblazer program increased my confidence to share the truth about beef in my own unique way while providing the resources, experiences and network to do so. This professional yet fun program is like no other.

Jonathon Black,

West Virginia

It has been an honorable experience to work alongside nine other passionate farmers and ranchers of the beef industry. The trailblazer program has afforded me the opportunity to network with other beef industry professionals and advocates, as well as, broaden my own knowledge of the industry. I have gained pertinent, and valuable resources that will help build my own farming enterprise, and also help strengthen others as an advocate for the industry.

Kacy Atkinson,

Wyoming

My favorite part of being a Trailblazer has been the networking and relationship building with people who are as passionate about the cattle and beef communities as I am. Not only will you develop a supportive group of friends (and cheerleaders!) you will find invaluable, the program will also connect you to people within the community that will serve as mentors and resources, willing to help you meet the goals you have for yourself, and push you to grow to become an even better advocate.

Sebastian Meija Turcious,

California

The Trailblazer program has provided me with invaluable opportunities to find my role as a leader in the beef industry and to make connections that will endure the test of time. The interactions made during this program have taught me different perspectives about the beef industry and has allowed to open my eyes to great impact that each one of us can have moving forward. Furthermore, as a scientist, Trailblazer has provided me with tools and skills that will help be a stronger communicator of my scientific discoveries in the future.

Brianna Buseman,

Nebraska

Though the Trailblazers program has provided some awesome content and trainings, to me the best part has been the connection our group has made. We come from different backgrounds, interest areas and even parts of the country, but have a shared interest and connection in beef. It’s been great to learn from each other and look forward to continuing to do so.

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Successfully Blazing New Trails…

Our inaugural cohort of Trailblazers have been hard at work bridging new conversations and safeguarding the work of the beef community. We are proud of their efforts blazing new trails through the various articles and social media highlights below. Through these simple, yet impactful stories being told on behalf of the beef community, the Trailblazers cohort elevating their voices through grassroots engagements has led to approximately 11 million potential audience members reached in the first year of training alone.

POPSUGAR.COM

This Modern Cowgirl Is Keeping Sustainability in Mind on Her Fifth-Generation Ranch

AGUPDATE.COM

Kansas cattle loss provides opportunity to learn, not to blame

"Just like in a blizzard, sometimes no matter how prepared you are, Mother

TWINCITIESLIVE.COM

Classic Cheeseburger Recipe

It's Day 7 of our collaboration with the Minnesota Beef Council and the

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Slide 1

Building a team and individual identity are important pieces of the Trailblazers program. In-person workshops focus on honing one’s personal story to best elevate the cohorts work at a local, regional, and national level.

Slide 2

Trailblazer, Kacy Atkinson, from Wyoming, is seen putting her story into practice during an intense two-day session focused on media interviews.

Slide 3

Shaye Koester and Jaclyn Wilson of Nebraska getting ready to plate their beef-centered dish during the social media and culinary challenge. Trailblazers also work with social media experts to help broadcast their stories beyond the echo chamber of agriculture.

Slide 4

Trailblazers representing six state beef councils are (from L to R): Marya Haverkamp, Kansas; Kacy Atkinson, Wyoming; Jaclyn Wilson, Nebraska, Jonathon Black, West Virginia; Markie Hageman, California; Shaye Koester, Nebraska; Haley AmmannEkstrom, Minnesota; Natalie Jones, Nebraska; Brianna Buseman, Nebraska; Sebastian Mejia Turcios, California.

Slide 5

Trailblazers attend at least 12 virtual trainings throughout the year to accompany their in-person engagements. Virtual trainings utilize subject matter experts ranging from topics such as nutrition, animal welfare, consumer trends, all to better assist in the professional development of beef community spokespeople.

Trailblazer Home

Testimonials

POPSUGAR.COM

This Modern Cowgirl Is Keeping Sustainability in Mind on Her Fifth-Generation Ranch

AGUPDATE.COM

Kansas cattle loss provides opportunity to learn, not to blame

TWINCITIESLIVE.COM

Classic Cheeseburger Recipe

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