Annual competition educates Iowa students about beef production

Bacon-wrapped steak kabobs, beef wellington box, and all Iowa beef tacos. These were just a few of the delicious and nutritious beef recipes developed by Iowa students recently for the High Steaks! Beef Marketing Competition. Iowa students from across the state participated in the contest this spring in a bid to win judges over with their knowledge of beef products and marketing savvy. 

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) hosts the annual High Steaks! Beef Marketing Competition in partnership with the Iowa Beef Industry Council. The experiential learning contest allows students to creatively develop a marketing strategy for a beef product of their choice, while learning about the variety of agricultural careers and skills it takes to develop and sell a product. Students in grades 3 through 12 were eligible to participate. Students learned about the beef production industry and beef nutrition as a result of participation.

Student winners announced 

A total of 56 entries were received from elementary, middle, and high schools across Iowa. IALF recognizes the following student winners in this cross-curricular program for elementary, middle, and high school students. 

Elementary Division:

  • 1st Prize: Des Moines Christian Elementary taught by Rhonda Osborn. The student team of Charlotte, Cody, Daniel, Tessa, Mia, Abe and Isaiah submitted a poster titled ‘Barnyard Bash Brisket.’ 
  • 2nd Prize: Central Elementary taught by Cheryl Kremer. The student team submitted a poster titled ‘Eat Beef.’
  • 3rd Prize: Des Moines Christian Elementary taught by Rhonda Osborn. The student team of Jordyn, Henry, Caitlin, John and Braylen submitted a poster titled ‘Jeopardy Beef.’

Middle School Division:

  • 1st Prize: Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School taught by Kristie Kuhse. The student team of Delilah, Maggie, Gracie and Mya created a marketing plan to sell ‘City Mud Bowl Melt.’
  • 2nd Prize: Waverly Shell Rock Middle School taught by Kristie Kuhse. The student team of Brock and Luke created a marketing plan to sell ‘The Fainting Cow Sloppy Joe.’
  • 3rd Prize: Waverly Shell Rock Middle School taught by Kristie Kuhse. The student team of Alix and Stella created a marketing plan to sell ‘Bacon Wrapped Steak Kabobs.’

 High School Division:

  • 1st Prize: Lynnville-Sully FFA taught by Jenny Petersen. The student team of Sydney, Lane, Kaleb, Jager and Gentry created a marketing plan to sell ‘The Beef LT.’
  • 2nd Prize: Fairfield High School taught by Courtney Burkhalter. The student team of Hailey, Emma, Connor, Jackson, Cesar, Nate, Brad and Nate created a marketing plan to sell ‘All Iowa Beef Tacos.’
  • 3rd Prize: Dubuque High School taught by Jennifer Gravel. The student team created a marketing plan to sell ‘Beef Wellington Box.’ 

Submissions were judged by a panel of industry experts, beef producers, and educators. Prizes include up to $200, a personalized virtual tour (FarmChat®) of a beef farm with a local farmer, and first place classrooms will have a BBQ lunch.

Competition Details
  • Elementary students who participated in the contest selected a beef product and then worked together in teams or as a classroom to submit a poster that advertises the product or showcases the health benefits associated with eating beef. 
  • Middle school and high school students who participated worked together to submit a marketing plan of their selected beef-focused product. Their marketing plans included an introduction, product details, marketing tactics, a market analysis, and nutrition information. 

The High Steaks! Beef Marketing Competition opens annually in January and concludes in April of the same year. Interested teachers can sign up for the IALF quarterly newsletter at www.iowaagliteracy.org or follow the organization on our social media channels to be notified of the next competition. The program is funded in part by the Iowa Beef Checkoff.