2008 FCA Beef Consumer Representative
Lydia Masterson
2008-2009

Hey y’all! Sorry that I missed last month. I was so busy getting ready to go to the National contest out in Oklahoma that before I realized it the deadline for my article was long past. But here I am this month back from the contest and ready to help out wherever someone needs me!
Let me go ahead and fill you in on everything that I had the opportunity to do while in Oklahoma. Oklahoma City is now officially on my map of the farthest that I have traveled out west. WOOHOO! Needless to say, it was fun and very educational. While in Oklahoma I had the opportunity to meet and mingle with 19 other beef ambassadors from around the country. I was the second oldest contestant, but let me tell you, age did not matter at this contest. Each one of these guys and girls did an amazing job, and although I did not get to watch their parts of the competition, I know just by watching them prepare in the ready room that they were all raring to go as the new ambassador team.
Now on to the fun stuff! I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and become well associated with one of our nation’s leading agricultural activist, Mr. Trent Loos. I have met him once before, but this time I had the chance to do an interview with him for his radio show that is aired on more than 100 stations across the U.S.
That was not the only thing that I really enjoyed. I got to see the National Cowboy Museum where I walked through pieces of history with life-size replicas of old western towns and cowboy camps. As a history buff, I really enjoyed getting to see much of the history that as inspired my lifestyle. Then there was the ranch tour. Express Ranches is one of the largest beef production ranches in the nation and the beef ambassador contestants got to tour their Embryo Transfer barn. It was really neat to see their set up and hear their procedures explained.
All in all, it was a fantastic trip, one that I would happily go on again. On top of all the interesting things that I got to experience, I must say that the biggest thing that I brought back with me was the mindset that we are all Beef Ambassadors, no matter what. This means that because I am so passionate about the beef industry (and the agricultural industry as a whole), it is my duty to stand up for it and defend it. I urge each one of you to take a moment and think about the values and freedom that we cherish as farmers and ranchers and think about what you can do to ensure that those values hold fast for the future generations.
Once again, if there is anything that I can do for you, please do not hesitate to call me and I will gladly do my best to help in whatever way necessary.

Lydia Matheson
E-mail: lmae@ufl.edu
Cell Phone: (904)962-4987