Giving Youth the EDGE

The Illinois Junior Beef Association (IJBA) is looking to give youth the edge needed to excel both professionally and personally for a future in the cattle and agriculture industry. The IJBA EDGE Conference is open to all juniors ages 8-21 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on June 9.

The EDGE Conference is designed to give youth the opportunity to learn more about the beef industry and sharpen skills needed for a future education and career in agriculture.

“We are excited to bring this educational conference to youth interested in the cattle business,” said Jill Johnson, IBA director of communications. “It's a chance for juniors to network while developing leadership potential and an awareness of information and issues facing the beef industry.”

Youth will attend sessions geared toward education and careers in the beef industry. They will learn tips on how to be an effective communicator and advocate from Christy Lee, photographer and owner of Cee Lee Communications, and Holly Spangler, associate editor for Prairie Farmer.

A carcass grading and beef safety skills lab will be conducted at the U of I Meat Science Lab. Participants will also tour the Beef Research Center learn from graduate students about opportunities to help conduct research at the student level.

Conference space is limited, and registration is required by May 15.

The registration form is available online at www.illinoibeef.com. For more information, contact Jill Johnson at 217-787-4280 or jill@illinoisbeef.com.

A schedule follows:

8:00-8:30 a.m.: Registration & Breakfast - U of I Meat Science Lab

8:30-8:45 a.m.: Welcome and IJBA Overview

8:45-9:15 a.m.: College 101
                All you need to know about preparing for an education in the agriculture industry and beyond

9:15-10:00 a.m.: Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do—Careers in Agriculture Panel

10:00-10:45 a.m.: Sizing up Social Media

                Utilizing Social Media for Advocacy with Holly Spangler 

10:45-11:30 a.m.: Speeches Worth Saluting
                Public Speaking Workshop

11:30-12:15 p.m.: Commanding the Camera
                Photography Workshop with Christy Couch Lee 

12:15-1:00 p.m.: Lunch

1:00-3:00 p.m.: Making the Grade—Evaluating Beef Carcasses and Beef Safety Demonstration

3:15-4:30 p.m.: What’s New with Research—Beef Research Farm Tour