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, MississippiNancy 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 triple-tested 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.
Watch the Faces of the Federation segment on Cattlemen to Cattlemen at
https://www.youtube.com/user/Cattlementocattlemen.
