Building beef demand by inspiring , unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership .
For more than 60 years , grassroots producer engagement has driven the demand for beef through the Federation of State Beef Councils . States voluntarily invest in the Federation to build beef demand by inspiring , unifying and supporting an effective and coordinated state and national Checkoff partnership . Ultimately , it is cattle producers from coast to coast who direct the Federation ’ s work , and we celebrate their dedication . These are the “ Faces of the Federation .”
Nancy Jackson , 2024 Federation of State Beef Councils Vice Chair Southern Cross Farm | Eupora , Mississippi
Nancy Jackson and her husband , Gary , are fulfilling their dreams by returning to their roots and owning Southern Cross Farm , a cow-calf operation in Eupora , Mississippi . As a family farm , the Jacksons have developed their operation to be a model farm for environmental and economic sustainability . Part of creating economic sustainability , not only for her own farm but for the cattle industry as a whole , is serving as a volunteer leader . Jackson , a veterinarian by trade , and the current Federation of State Beef Councils vice chair , believes the Federation ’ s strength lies in its volunteer leaders .
How does the Federation of State Beef Councils impact the beef industry ?
As a grassroots organization made up of producers who serve as volunteer leaders , we represent cattlemen and women from around the United States who are producing this product we are so proud of . I take that responsibility seriously , and it is critical for those volunteer leaders to bring their enthusiasm and perspective .
What I really want people to know about the Federation of State Beef Councils is that it ’ s a volunteer-led organization , and we work so hard to be effective stewards of producer dollars . Those funds are used to share how beef is nutritious , beef is wholesome , and beef is safe .
The Federation is critical because we have states with more cows than people , and then we have other states where there is a high human population . By pooling our money under the Federation of State Beef Councils , we can accomplish more . The Federation supports so much research and promotion , more than individual producers or states can do on their own .
What are some of the benefits of investing in the Federation ?
All Federation-funded programs positively impact states , but for my state specifically , one of the things we use most is accessing food photography and recipes under the Beef . It ’ s What ’ s For Dinner . brand . In Mississippi , we don ’ t have the money for professional photography or to develop tripletested recipes . But as a member of the Federation of State Beef Councils , we ’ re able to use what they develop at a national level in the advertising , promotion and education we conduct in our state .
Why do you think the Federation continues to be vital ?
The Federation was formed in the year I was born , so I reflect on how it ’ s vital in the things I was taught in high school , things about nutrition and some of the animal welfare practices I learned through Beef Quality Assurance and my veterinary education . The work of the Federation has been such a huge part of my life professionally .
When I think about the last 60 years , I think about
how the Federation continues to move our industry forward , promoting beef as the protein of choice around the world . This grassroots organization brings us together to work as a team and leverage every producer dollar to do the most good .
I think sometimes producers don ’ t realize how far the Checkoff dollar goes . Based on investment studies , the rate of return is nearly $ 12 for every Checkoff dollar invested in programs . If we didn ’ t have those dollars to fund nutrition research , share sustainability information and manage other promotion programs , beef wouldn ’ t be the protein of choice for so many consumers .
What is the most important message you ’ d like to share about the Federation ? My message is that your dollar counts , and it is used wisely . Together we can share resources and accomplish more by reaching consumers in areas where they are in a way individual states can ’ t do by themselves . The Federation is definitely grassroots , and we ’ re putting our resources together to educate people across the country about beef .
18 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org