The officer team will be led by Harrison Hartman who is a Statewide Dairy Representative from Lancaster County.  Hartman will serve as Chairman and succeeds outgoing Chairman, Ned Hower, a beef producer from Northampton County who led the Board with excellence from 2021-2022.  Cumberland County beef producer, Duff George, is the organization’s new Vice Chairperson. Western Region Beef Representative, Marty Yahner, will serve as Treasurer and rounding out the team as Secretary is Robert Supancik, Veal Representative from Susquehanna County. Supancik is also the President of the American Veal Association. 

Hartman is ready for the opportunity that awaits him. “I have gained firsthand knowledge of the skillful programming that occurs from our state’s checkoff dollar” noted Hartman. “As a dairy producer, I’m excited to lead this organization and continue to share the value of the Beef Checkoff as it works to share out positive messaging to protect beef’s image and cultivate a new generation of beef consumers.”  

In addition, the group welcomed keynote speaker Jennifer Nealson, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Research for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. Nealson shared with the group the strategic approach and vision for NCBA’s checkoff-funded programming as they work with grassroots organizations, like State Beef Councils, and develop national campaigns for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand. Nealson noted, “It’s exciting to be in Pennsylvania and discuss the many opportunities for education and promotion in a state with both a large consumer population and a rich history of agriculture and beef production. We’re all in this together as we share beef’s great story, from how cattle are raised to the delicious, high-quality product that consumers know and love and plays an important role in a healthy diet. Strategic planning and a foundation of technical research are both key to NCBA’s Beef Checkoff-funded programming as we build the state and national partnership and continue to break down barriers to beef consumption.”