Meet the 2009 National Beef Ambassador Team

Sharon Byrne, PA

Hey there, from the beautiful state of Pennsylvania. My name is Sharon Byrne and I am so excited to be serving as a 2009 National Beef Ambassador. I grew up in Nottingham, a tiny town in south-eastern Pennsylvania, known for Herr’s Potato Chips and Tasty Kakes. My father, mother, brother, sister, and I live on an Angus farm, specializing in beef cattle production. Some of my earliest memories are out on the farm, feeding cattle with my dad, riding horses, and showing sheep. The first year I was able, I showed a lamb for 4-H. I quickly decided sheep were not for me, and started looking for another alternative. During high school I got involved with our state Beef Ambassador program. This led me to explore a number of other areas of youth involvement in the industry. Over the next couple of years I began showing and breeding cattle, and also served as our state’s Angus Queen. I loved every minute of my time in the cattle industry, and, after being too young to go to the National Beef Ambassador competition, I knew that one day I would return. I am now a sophomore at Penn State University, majoring in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism management with a focus on outdoor adventure planning. Within the last year I’ve had the opportunity to serve as the Pennsylvania Beef Ambassador, and now am so excited to be serving on a national level. Although I am a huge advocate of beef and agriculture in general, I also spend a lot of time in other areas. In addition to being a full time student, I love my job at BioLife Plasma Services and Donation Center, and also spend countless hours mentoring high school students through a ministry and outreach program called Young Life. In my spare time you will probably find me camping, snowboarding, line dancing, or sleeping. I am thrilled to have the opportunity this year to travel the country, share my stories and listen to yours, and talk to each and every one of you about the industry that keeps America growing.

Brad Copenhaver, VA

Hello from the Commonwealth of Virginia! My name is Brad Copenhaver, and I am proud to be serving as a National Beef Ambassador for 2009. I grew up on a stocker operation in the small town of Meadowview in Southwest Virginia, and have grown up loving agriculture. My entire life, my parents, Gene and Jodi Copenhaver, and my grandparents, Ernest and Alberta Copenhaver, have taught me the value of hard work and to respect and love the beef industry. I am currently a freshman at Virginia Tech where I am studying Agricultural and Applied Economics and Political Science. On campus, I am active in the Ag Econ Club and College Republicans, and I am also serving my second term as Virginia 4-H President. Upon graduation from Tech, I plan to attend law school. I am extremely excited to be able to promote and protect the beef industry in 2009.

Allison Grainger, TX

Howdy from the Lone Star state of Texas! My name is Allison Grainger, and I am currently serving as a member of the 2009 National Beef Ambassador team. As a fourth-generation cattle raiser from Brenham, Texas, I developed a passion for the beef industry at a young age. I began exhibiting Santa Gertrudis heifers in the show ring at the age of 10. However, it did not take long before I added market steers, feedlot calves, and cow-calf pairs to my operation.

As a senior at Brenham High School, I have been a member of the Cross-Country and Track teams and an active member of the BHS Theatre Department, the National Honor Society, and the Spanish club. I currently serve as the President of the Area III association of the Texas FFA and the Secretary of the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association Board of Directors. I look forward to becoming a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2013, where I plan to double-major in Agribusiness and Spanish. More than anything, though, I cannot wait to combine my love for public speaking and my passion for the beef industry as I spread the positive message about beef.

Jessica Sampson, CA

Hello my name is Jessica Sampson and I am excited and honored to be serving the beef industry and representing California as a 2009 National Beef Ambassador. I am 18 years old, the daughter of Harry and Jeannine Sampson, and grew up in a small town in Northern California with my younger brother. Originally from a sheep background, I began exhibiting cattle at our county fair at the age of 14 and discovered my interest and passion for the beef industry. 

Agriculture has been a main part of my life since I can remember. I was involved in 4-H during my grade school years, serving as an officer, attending camps, and exhibiting livestock animals. When I moved up to FFA in high school, I added speech contests, livestock judging, and leadership responsibilities to my growing list of activities. Throughout high school I served as Reporter, Secretary, and President for my FFA Chapter and graduated as a salutatorian.  I am currently a freshman at the University of California, Davis majoring in Agricultural Business.

My parents have demonstrated and taught me the importance of the agriculture industry, the value of hard work, and my responsibility to share my experiences and opportunities with others. I enjoy and am passionate about promoting not only the beef industry but agriculture in general because when one aspect succeeds the whole industry benefits from it.

I am very thankful for my family’s support and would never be able to replace the experiences or opportunities I have received from becoming involved in agriculture and the beef industry. I look forward to not only promoting beef, one of America’s most wholesome products, but also conveying the true story of the American cattle industry. 

Program Manager, Carol Abrahamzon and her husband Bill own a cow calf operation in Southeastern Minnesota.  Carol is employed by the American National CattleWomen, Inc. where she has managed the National Beef Ambassador Program since 2002.  The National Beef Ambassador Program strives to provide an opportunity for youth to educate consumers and students about beef nutrition, food safety and stewardship practices of the beef industry.  National Beef Ambassadors tell the beef production story to consumers and students through promotion, education, media and the online environment.

Carol has three grown children, Jennifer, a third year law student at Hamlin School of Law in St. Paul, MN.  Julie, a Business Manager in the Animal Nutrition Division at Cargill in Kansas City, KS and Willie, employed by Hendal Farms in Caledonia, MN.