2015 National Beef Ambassador Team Members
In the coming year the 2015 National Beef Ambassador Team will come face to face with thousands of consumers and students across the nation. They will have the opportunity to educate consumers of all ages through the internet, consumer promotions and in classrooms. Get to know each of these enthusiastic Ag-vocates and follow them on their journey to share the beef story with America.
Alicia Smith
Howdy Y’all! My name is Alicia Smith and I am the only daughter of Royce and Jackie Smith. I attend Texas A&M University in College Station, TX, but my cows reside with my parents in Sonoita, Arizona. I am so honored and humbled to represent not only Texas, but ranchers across the nation, on the National Beef Ambassador Team.
I did not grow up in a ranching family, but instead got involved through raising 4-H livestock. My first year, I raised a lamb and a hog, before trying out steers. I found my passion in cattle. I began raising heifers, in addition to market steers and now own three cows that I Artificially Inseminate.
Here at Texas A&M, I am studying animal science with hopes of pursuing a career in production agriculture, along with continuing to be a voice for beef. I truly want to share the story of the rancher and show the public what hard-working individuals they are and how they are often underappreciated. I also want to help youth become involved in raising cattle, and I have helped to mentor several youth with their projects.
Demi Snider
OH-IO!! Greetings from the buckeye state, my name is Demi Snider, daughter of Dave and DeDe Snider and I proudly representing the great state of Ohio as part of the 2015 National Beef Ambassador Team.
The beef industry has always been a passion of mine and I am so honored to represent this industry while having the opportunity to travel the United States this upcoming year. Coming from a small family farm in Midwest Ohio where I am the sixth generation, my family and I have a 60 head cow/calf Maine-Anjou heard as well as a handful of Shorthorn heifers and a small feedlot of steers. We also farm approximately 750 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay.
Being actively involved in showing cattle throughout my years in 4-H and FFA has taught me the care and responsibly of owning cattle. Buying my first cow to start my heard at the age of nine was a great learning experience and investment, and today I can honestly say that that cow has expanded my personal heard to a size of 30 and still growing. Summer months were always my favorite part of the year because I got to spend everyday with my 4-H animals as well as travel to National, State, and county fairs to not only show, but reconnect with old cattle friends and make new, something that being a part of the beef industry gives individuals a chance to do, make best friends from miles apart.
I am currently a Junior at The Ohio State University studying Agricultural Communications. On campus, I am also a co-founder of the OSU Collegiate CattleWomens Club and serve as club treasurer. I also a member of Ohio States Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, Agri-Bussiness Club, and Society of Professional Journalist.
Serving various titles of commodity princesses and queens as well as Ohio Beef Ambassador have led me to this point in life and I am so honored to be serving on the 2015 National Beef Ambassador Team! Being raised a "farmers daughter" was the best gift I ever could have received and I cannot wait to promote the beef industry and interact with an array of consumers from coast to coast throughout my year as National Beef Ambassador.
Kalyn McKibben
Hey, folks! I am Kalyn McKibben and I am blessed with the phenomenal opportunity to represent the incredible state of Oklahoma as a member of the 2015 National Beef Ambassador Team. I am the proud daughter of Lyndon and Phyllis McKibben of Wyandotte, Oklahoma. I am very fortunate to be a fifth generation producer. Our family ranch is nestled in beautiful northeast Oklahoma, where we own and operate a commercial cow-calf operation.
My passion for the beef community began at an incredibly young age. Some of my first memories include bottle feeding baby orphaned calves, making the rounds with Dad, and “helping” feed cattle in extreme winter weather conditions. Today, my passion has grown exponentially. I want consumers to be as confident as I am in the delicious, healthy, nutritious beef that amazing producers dedicate their entire lives to providing for us.
I am currently a junior at Oklahoma State University studying Animal Science Business and Agriculture Economics. I also have the incredible opportunity to be serving as the Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen president. I am so excited to tell my beef story and I am so honored to have the privilege to share the beef story of all beef producers. God bless!
Rachel Purdy
I am the 19-year old daughter of Gene and Rhonda Purdy. Currently a sophomore at the University of Wyoming, I am studying Agricultural Business. I am from the small town of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming which is located on the border between Wyoming and Nebraska. I enjoy working on my family’s fourth generation commercial cow-calf operation. We also grow various grain crops and forages.
In high school, I was involved in FFA, FBLA, and FCCLA, holding offices and competing at the national level in all three organizations. I competed in the junior beef ambassador contest in 2011, and placed third at nationals. That really inspired me to pursue a spot on the beef ambassador on the national team.
I'm actively involved with Wyoming Collegiate Cattle Association and am currently serving as the organization’s secretary. I was blessed with the opportunity to study agriculture abroad in Angers, France with students studying agriculture at other universities from across the United States. I am currently serving as an ambassador for the University of Wyoming College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. I am very interested in agricultural policy. This interest led me to an internship at the Wyoming state legislature in 2013. I plan on pursuing a career in agricultural policy, advocating for the hard working farmers and ranchers in the United States.
In what little free time I have, I enjoy photography and creating stained glass artwork. I also love spending time with my horses, Rapper and Kernel. Most of my fondest memories come from spending time on the farm. I feel very humbled and blessed to have this opportunity to serve the beef community amongst many outstanding individuals.
Will Pohlman
Greetings from the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas! My name is Will Pohlman and I am the 19 year-old son of Dr. Fred and Tami Pohlman and am currently a junior at the University of Arkansas with a dual major in Biochemistry/Pre-Med and Animal Science. I grew up in the grasslands of the Ozarks in the heart of Arkansas’ cattle country where, along with my brother, I raise purebred Angus cattle as well as registered Hampshire and commercial sheep. Farm life in general and beef production in particular has been a defining aspect of my life and has shaped me tremendously so I’m excited to spend the next year sharing my beef production story with producers and consumers across the country.
In high school, active experiences with 4-H and FFA including state champion livestock judging, livestock skills, meats evaluation and beef quiz bowl teams as well as serving as a State 4-H Officer in addition to experiences with the National Junior Angus Association have allowed me to travel across the country and experience numerous facets of the beef industry firsthand.
On campus I am a Sturgis Fellow serving as an Honors College Ambassador as well as the Study Abroad and International Relations Director for the Dale Bumpers College Honors Student Board. I am also active with the Animal Science REPS group, collegiate FFA/4-H and Block and Bridle. Academically, I am currently conducting research exploring the impact of labeling on ground beef preferences of consumers.
An active participant of the Beef Ambassador Program since the age of nine, I am thrilled, blessed, and humbled to represent Arkansas as a member of the 2015 National Beef Ambassador Team. I look forward to all of the amazing advocacy experiences the year has to offer!