CRSB Youth Council Role Gains Major Support
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef announced new support from industry partners McDonald's Canada and Cargill to strengthen youth involvement in beef sustainability leadership. The support focuses on the CRSB Council Youth Position, a non-voting role created in 2025 to ensure youth perspectives are included in decision making today and in the future.
This position was added to help young leaders actively participate in shaping sustainable practices across the Canadian beef industry. Financial backing will support participation in council meetings and industry events for the next three years, allowing consistent youth engagement at a national level.
“This partnership reflects our shared vision of continuous improvement and collaboration,” said Ryan Beierbach, CRSB Chair and beef farmer from SK, who participated in the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program as part of his beef industry leadership journey. “Empowering youth and providing them a voice is important to ensure sustainability remains a priority for generations to come.”
The Youth Council role is designed to give young people a meaningful platform to share ideas, learn from industry leaders, and build governance experience. It also offers mentorship opportunities by connecting youth with representatives from across the beef value chain. Through this role, young leaders can better understand how sustainability goals are developed and applied in real world agriculture.
The first youth representative was selected through a coordinated nomination process with the Canadian Cattle Youth Council. This approach ensured strong alignment between youth networks and the broader beef sustainability community.
“Youth engagement is critical to driving innovation and long-term sustainability in Canadian beef,” said Sam Hamam, Head of Supply Chain for McDonald’s Canada. “By supporting this position, we’re investing in the next generation of leaders who will help shape a resilient and sustainable beef industry.”
The youth representative will take part in council discussions, bring forward youth perspectives, and act as a link between the CRSB and youth organizations. Responsibilities also include co-chairing at least one council meeting each year and sharing leadership insights across youth and industry networks.
“A resilient beef supply chain depends on collaboration across generations,” said Kristine Tapley, Director of Sustainability, Food North America – Customer Engagement at Cargill. “Supporting youth leadership through the CRSB helps strengthen the long-term sustainability of Canadian beef and contributes to building a more food-secure world.”
Industry leaders emphasized that engaging young people is essential for long term sustainability and innovation. Supporting youth leadership helps ensure that future generations are prepared to address environmental, social, and economic challenges in agriculture.
By investing in youth voices, the Canadian beef sector continues to promote collaboration across generations. This approach strengthens sustainability efforts, supports leadership development, and helps build a resilient and responsible food system for the future.
Photo Credit: McDonald-Cargill-Champion-Youth