K-State Advocates in a national board also can improve confidence, according to Evans. These skills in communication, knowledge and confidence can help students become more effective advocates for the beef industry. Being Proactive Hahn says she views her role on the Shorthorn board of working with younger kids to be important. “I try to educate them from square one, what is right and what is wrong,” Hahn says. “I try to give them what the facts are.” She says that educating the youth is one of the first and most important steps in improving agriculture’s image. Evans says most people in agriculture grew up with the idea that if everyone minds their own business there won’t be conflict. “But in today’s world we have to speak up for our business,” she says. Marketing and outreach programs can help promote the beef industry. Clawson says she tries to speak up for agriculture any time she can. She has spoken in high school classrooms and at Lions Club meetings. She has even gone to cooking schools to teach about the healthy nutrition in beef products. Clawson believes strongly in actively promoting the industry, even if it is only in a small way. She adds that she places a high importance on reaching out to the individuals and groups outside of the agricultural industry. “You can preach to the choir,” Clawson says. “But you really need to reach out to people who don’t know what agriculture is and how food gets from pasture to plate. Kyla Clawson, animal sciences and industry and agricultural economics student, joins her fellow American-International Junior Charolais teammates to educate youth about show cattle and the beef industry. PHOTO BY DAVID WHITE PHOTO COURTESY OF KYLA CLAWSON Kimber Evans, agriculture economics student; Kyla Clawson, animal sciences and industry and agriculture economics; and Callyn Hahn, animal science, have taken the opportunity to advocate their industry through experiences on association junior boards. They have been able to share their passion about the beef industry with others. 2010 | Agriculturist 29
Updated: 4/23/24