The Beef Certificate Program (BCP), funded by the checkoff, is making a lasting impact on the next generation of consumers by engaging middle and high school students across the state. Through partnerships with family and consumer sciences (FCS) and ProStart programs, BCP provides funding for beef used in cooking classes and food labs—empowering more than 22,000 students last year to develop practical skills while exploring beef’s role in a nutritious diet.
A highlight of this year’s efforts was the Kansas ProStart Invitational held in Wichita March 3-4. This statewide culinary competition challenged high school teams to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. Maize Career Academy earned the coveted “Best Beef” award, sponsored by Kansas producers through the beef checkoff. Throughout the event, Kansas Beef Council (KBC) educational resources reinforced beef’s important role in culinary education. BCP resources also took center stage at the Kansas High School BBQ Competition, where 10 high school teams showcased their beef expertise across categories such as ribeye and brisket.
Beyond cooking competitions, BCP enriches classroom learning with more than 10 standards-based lesson plans that cover beef’s nutritional benefits, culinary versatility and sustainable production practices. Recently introduced Beef Sustainability Readers, tailored for STEM classes, align with Next Generation Science Standards and encourage critical thinking about food systems and environmental impact. These resources also offer cross-curricular opportunities for FCS classes, further extending beef’s reach in the classroom.
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