ag-formation

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                                  Telephone (803) 734-2210
D. LESLIE TINDAL, COMMISSIONER                                        Becky Walton, Director of Public Information
P.O. Box 11280, Columbia, South Carolina 29211                                      bwalton@scda.state.sc.us
www.scda.state.sc.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2001

FIGURE SKATING CHAMPION JOINS BEEF EFFORT

(DENVER)---- At the recent 2001 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, CO, members of the SC Beef Board recently greeted Sasha Cohen, silver medal winner at the 2000 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships. Sasha, who placed second only to Michele Kwan, has joined an effort spearheaded by the beef checkoff to help girls ages eight to 12 better understand the importance of staying fit and eating smart with foods like beef.

Sasha also addressed the joint meeting of the directors of the Cattlemen's Beef Board and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. In addition, she has been interviewed by leading youth magazines and is center stage in a new section of the beef checkoff-funded, popular kids' web site, www.burgertown.com.

"The opportunity is great because beef is one of my favorite foods, and I understand how girls my age are self-conscious about what they eat and how it affects their bodies. I hope to show girls that eating smart and being physically active can help them feel better about themselves," says Cohen.

"We are so fortunate to have Sasha on board," said James Sease, Chairman of the SC Beef Board. He added, "This is a great way to reach the consumers of tomorrow---and today. Eating nutritious foods builds champions, and beef is a significant part of a nutritious and healthy diet."

The South Carolina Beef Board (SCBB), consisting of 13 producer-members and an ex officio member, initiates programs that ensure the most efficient and effective use of producer checkoff dollars. One dollar per head on all cattle sold in the state is collected for the checkoff program. Half of that dollar is retained in the state for projects and programs. The other half goes to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB). The SCBB focuses on promotion, consumer information/education, research, industry information, producer communications and market development. Beef is not only an important part of a well-balanced diet.  In South Carolina . . ."Beef. It's really what's for dinner."
 
Funded by America's beef producers, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is an official sponsor of the United States Figure Skating Association and has joined with them to help spread Sasha's message to young girls.

For more information about the beef checkoff program in South Carolina, call Jim Pooser at 803-734-9806 or email: scbeef@scda.state.sc.us.

Photo Available Here

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