Let's set something straight first thing. I have been a beef girl since I was about six, mainly because my family raises cattle on our ranch right outside Hamilton.

I have been a beef advocate for about thirteen years, sharing my love for a tasty steak with anyone that gave me 60 seconds (or less if I could squeeze it in!). I participated in stock shows, FFA, and 4-H, sharing my love for agriculture all over the country. I even was elected as a National Hereford Association director so that I could advocate for the breed as well as leading youth. Beef and agriculture are what I am passionate about, so after graduating high school I loaded down my Ford truck and headed for Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, USA. I decided to double-major in agricultural communications and animal science with a minor in food science because I want to be able to advocate for agriculture from birth to plate.

After finishing up my first year I headed back to Hamilton to find a job at home for the summer so I could also continue working with my family's herd of Registered Hereford cattle.

Not one of my friends expected me, the beef girl, to have a job doing ANYTHING with something other than beef,or cattle. Where did I end up you might ask?

That's right. Pederson's Natural Farms. The place "famous for bacon", that has PORK products primarily.

But this internship is more than I could have ever asked for and my "beef only" view has been expanded. Now I will eat beef with a side of pork. (But, really! Bacon wrapped filet anyone??)

I get to learn all about natural and organic, how to make bacon (and everything else at Pederson's!), they have me doing anything and everything to teach me (and maybe convert me) all about the best kind of pork products out there!

I can't wait to share with all my OSU friends about how I have expanded my horizons and want to learn more about pork. I will be able to share the message of Pederson's and everything that I am learning.

Maybe they will make a PORK girl out of me. Who knows!