1997 4-H Beef Ambassador Presentation

M. C. Claeys and S. B. Rogers

A new year is upon us and 1997 affords a new opportunity to 4-H members interested in beef production from conception to the consumer. A new presentation area has been developed, the 4-H Beef Ambassador Presentation. In past years youth interested in preparing beef dishes have participated in the Beef Char-Grill competition which was for 4-H’ers nine to nineteen. The 4-H Beef Ambassador Presentation was developed for youth 14-19 years of age. The Beef Char-Grill competition will continue for youth 9-13 years of age.

We have received tremendous support from the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Beef Council and the North Carolina Cattle Women. Both organizations look forward to the success of the 4-H Beef Ambassador Presentation and working with outstanding youth to promote beef.

Listed below are the rules and regulations for the new presentation area. For further information contact Matt Claeys, Extension Livestock Specialist at 919/515-7805.

4-H Beef Ambassador Presentation

1. Objective:
   • For youth to prepare an illustrated talk that demonstrates knowledge of the nutritional value, the economic value, cooking principals and versatile use of beef.
   • For youth to understand the importance of beef as an agriculture product.
   • For youth to develop leadership, self confidence, marketing skills and public speaking skills.
2. Eligibility:
   • Each contestant must have reached his/her fourteenth (14) birthday on or before January 1 of the current year and must not have reached his/her nineteenth (19) birthday prior to January 1 of the current year.
   • Individuals who have enrolled in a post secondary university, college, junior college or technical institute beyond the first semester or quarter of the current year are not eligible for participation.
3. Rules and Regulations:
   • District contests are open to one contestant from each county.
   • District winners and runner-ups are eligible to participate in the State Contest. However, district winners will be provided a scholarship to attend and participate in the contest while runner-ups can participate at their own expense. If the district winner is unable to participate, the district runner-up is eligible to receive the scholarship to attend and participate.
   • Youth are to give the illustrated talk a minimum of two times prior to the district competition. They are encouraged to give the talk to civic groups, producers and other audiences to promote beef.
   • All contestants that participate in the State Finals are required to enroll and participate in the 4-H Ambassadors training during State 4-H Congress.
   • Participants will be evaluated on two basic areas; the illustrated talk about beef (75% of total) and the prepared ground beef dish (25% of total).

   1. The Illustrated Talk (75 points)
      • The illustrative talk should be an informative talk concerning facts about beef and/or its production. It may be specifically focused on one segment of the industry or an encompassing overview. Suggested topics for the talk are listed below:
        • Nutritional value of beef
        • Economic value of beef in a diet
        • Cooking principles
        • Versatility of beef
        • Role of beef in today’s healthy diet
        • Beef’s place in agriculture (state nation)
        • Beef’s role in the economy
      • Participants are required to speak for a minimum of five minutes and a maximum of eight minutes in length. A two (2) point deduction will be taken for each minute and/or fraction of a minute above or below the time requirement.
      • The talk should NOT be a demonstration of preparing the beef dish, but should focus on how important beef is to the areas listed above in 1-A. The dish may be mentioned but not the center of the talk.
      • A theme is encouraged to address the topic selected and should be used throughout the talk.
      • Contestants are to use individually constructed posters to assist with the talk. With the exception of the prepared dish, no other items are allowed to be used as props or displays to assist with the talk.
      • Two easels and a table will be provided for the illustrated talk.
      • Time will be allowed for questions and not considered part of the time requirement. Contestants will be evaluated on the response and poise in which the response to questions is delivered.
      • Contestants are encouraged to have a broad background in the beef industry and an understanding of the production process to the “plate”.

   2. The Beef Dish (25 points)
      • Each contestant is to prepare a beef dish for display during the illustrated talk. NO cooking facilities will be available at the competition. Thus, the dish should be brought complete and ready for exhibit. Contestants are responsible for all materials and equipment to prepare the dish.
      • Contestants will display the garnished completed product on the table provided. No sampling or tasting of the beef dish will be conducted.
      • Participants must provide a recipe of the dish for the judges.

        The recipe should include the following parts:

        • Name of recipe
        • List of ingredients in order used in instructions.
          • Measurements given in common fractions
          • No abbreviations used
          • No brand names used
        • Instructions for combining ingredients.
          • Clear instructions for every step of combining and cooking the ingredients
          • Short, clear, concise sentences
          • Correct food preparation terms to describe combining and cooking process
          • Size of pan
          • Temperature and cooking time stated
          • Number of serving and calorie per serving given
      • Contestants are responsible for the clean up of their materials at the conclusion of the illustrated talk.
4. Awards:
   • District winners will receive a $75.00 scholarship for NC State 4-H Congress.
   • State winner will receive an expense paid trip to the National Beef Ambassador Contest. In the event that the State winner is unable to participate in the National Contest, an $100.00 savings bond will be awarded.
   • Donor:

     North Carolina Beef Council
     2228 N. Main Street
     Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
     919/552-9111

5. Resources:

   NC Cooperative Extension Office (in your county)

   National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
   5420 S. Quebec St.
   Greenwood Village, CO 80111
   (303) 694-0305

   North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association
   2228 N Main Street
   Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
   (919) 552-9111
   e-mail: ncbeef@aol.com

   “Cattle and Beef Handbook”
   “Myth Stoppers Fact Myth”
   “UC Berkeley Wellness Letter”

   North Carolina State University -

   Extension Animal Husbandry
   NC Cow-Calf Handbook
   Box 7621
   Raleigh, NC 27695

   EAH - Newsletter Factsheets

   World Wide Web Sites:

   Cowtown America - http://www.cowtown.org

   Cattlemen on the Web - http://www.ncanet.org

   North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service - http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/

   Oklahoma State University - http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/library/

6. Specialist In-Charge:

   Matt Claeys, Extension Livestock Specialist
   109 Polk Hall
   Box 7621 - NCSU Campus
   Raleigh, NC 27695-7621
   (919) 515-7805