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.” 

Andy Kellom, Beef Promotion Operating Committee
JBC Farms, Ltd., Hobson, Montana

Born and raised in southeast Idaho, college brought Andy Kellom to Montana where he and his wife created a home with their three children. Kellom has been involved in the cattle industry his entire life and now manages a feedlot, stocker operation and farm in central Montana. From the time he was old enough to decide what he wanted to do in life, being involved in the cattle industry is the only thing Kellom ever wanted. He became a member of the Montana Beef Council nearly a decade ago and has served the Federation of State Beef Councils as a director, past Region V Federation vice president and now a member of the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. 

How does the Federation of State Beef Councils impact the beef industry?
The value of being a volunteer leader is that we all have input on the process. All of the people involved in Checkoff meetings are producers from all over the United States; we all have input on what happens at the Federation with our Checkoff dollars. 

The Federation of State Beef Councils brings us together. We provide input and we work in one direction together. The Federation benefits all of us, sometimes in different ways, but the collective effort moves us forward so that each state is not recreating programs. To me, sharing resources has a powerful impact on our industry.

What are some of the benefits of investing in the Federation?
Montana uses Federation services extensively. We don't have to go out and hire a web designer, we don't have to hire a graphic designer. Those things are available to us through the Federation, and the content and the quality that we're able to get is second to none. We couldn't do the quality work on our own, and if we could it would cost us a lot of money, but being members of the Federation of State Beef Councils, we have access to critical services as does every other state. 

Why do you think the Federation continues to be vital?
Even after 60 years, the Federation continues to be vital because we have a vastly different consumer today than we did when the Federation began. The Federation of State Beef Councils really helps us understand the consumer and then gets beef in front of consumers in a way that encourages them to purchase our product. At the end of the day, we're putting more beef on more plates. That is the job of the Federation, and it remains just as vital today. 

What is the most important message you’d like to share about the Federation?
My message to producers is just because you don't see it, just because you don't touch it, doesn't mean it's not working for you every day. One of the challenges that we have as an industry is that we're widespread and we're independent. My goal is to help producers understand that these research, education and promotion programs are happening every day on their behalf.

If producers have questions about what's happening with Checkoff dollars, I encourage them to come and see the Federation of State Beef Councils at work. It's completely driven by producer input top to bottom. Producers guiding the work of the Federation do everything they can to ensure we get the best bang for our buck. The advantage of the Federation is pooling resources and finding projects that have the most impact.

My hope for the future of the cattle industry is that the work we're doing through the Federation of State Beef Councils helps us maintain a viable industry. I would like my kids to have the same opportunity that I've had to find a career and a path in an industry I truly love. I believe that the Federation and the work of the Beef Checkoff are going to help us create a thriving industry for the next generation.

Watch the Faces of the Federation series on Cattlemen to Cattlemen here.