California CattleWomen named Laura Gregory from Shasta County as the 2025 Beef Ambassador and Collette Hansen from San Joaquin County as the 2025 Junior Beef Ambassador. The annual contest was held virtually in mid-May. Their term as ambassadors started June 1 and ends in May 2026. The contest focused on the merits of the applicant’s essay questions, an online interview about their knowledge of cattle issues and a 10-minute online presentation about some aspects of the cattle industry. Each applicant submitted letters of recommendation from a cattlewomen member and someone who knew their passion to become an ambassador.
Contestants’ responses reflected their involvement and experience in agriculture/beef projects and organizations, which ultimately determined the award placement of the contestants. Cash prizes were awarded to the winners: the senior winner received $1,000 and the junior winner received $500, along with lesser monetary awards for the second to fourth place winners.
Gregory is a high school senior, and she spoke about various cattle identification methods, including nose prints. Hansen is a high school junior and gave her presentation on the many uses of beef byproducts and their effect on consumers’ daily lives.
There were four awards given in the Ambassador category: second place, Madysson Cervelli from Siskiyou County; third place, Liliana Standen from Madera County; and fourth place, Layla Tommey from Butte County. In the Junior Ambassador category, only three awards were given: second place was Curtis Hansen from San Joaquin County, and third place was Ellie Moiola from San Diego County.
We encourage the ambassadors to engage in local events and opportunities to educate and promote beef and the cattle industry. Most of the contestants completed the online Master’s of Beef Advocacy certification program and are eager to showcase their knowledge.
California CattleWomen has about 1,800 members. The organization began in 1951 as an auxiliary of the California Cattlemen. — California CattleWomen
