A fifth-generation rancher from Mitchell, SD, Amanda grew up on a Limousin purebred cattle operation in which she and husband Tyler are active. She graduated with a degree in agriculture journalism from South Dakota State University and was active from a young age in advocacy for the U.S. beef industry. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of a young FFA member who led a walkout of several thousand members from a Carrie Underwood concert in 2006 in protest of the country singer’s anti-meat positions and association with the Humane Society of the U.S. That young person was Amanda. Since 2006, Amanda produced her own blog – chewingthecud.org, in which she opined on ranch life and beef-industry opportunities for young people. She also hosted her own weekly radio program, in addition to regular freelancing to beef-industry publications. She’s the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking champion, and the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. And she’s served previous internships with USDA’s Ag Marketing Service in Washington D.C, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver, and BEEF magazine. On BEEF Daily, Amanda provides timely industry news and commentary from the unique perspective of a young professional committed to a life in production agriculture and invites readers to join in the discussion.