My next interview is with Chris Labbe from Bar LH, LLC.  Chris currently lives in Canby, Oregon but his family is in the process of buying a place in White Sulphur Springs, Montana.  I have had a great time working with Chris through the Public Relations Task Force.  He is on my Twitter Subcommitte, which is currently working on a How-To-Tweet-For-Beef Guide, and has volunteered to be a local media contact.  Very thankful for his time and efforts with YPC.  Chris answered my questions as follows:

Chris, thanks for taking the time to visit with me.  Please describe your involvement in the cattle industry.

Our family has a Farm/Ranch in Arlington, Oregon were we raise wheat, alfalfa, and commercial cattle. My wife and I are also starting our own operation were we have a small broodmare band, and are trying to lease/buy ground to begin our own cow herd. Chris (& his wife Tiffanie) has worked on ranches throughout the west from Arizona to Montana.

Why did you become a member of YPC?  Why do you think it is important for other cattle producers to become a member of YPC?

Advocacy and education of the beef industry to the general public is critical at a time that our food grows further from the point of consumption. YPC & NCBA allows for both the development of our next generation of cattle industry leaders, and also the ability for we, as cattle producers, to tell our story in OUR words.

What do you hope YPC will accomplish in the next year?  Next 5 years? 

YPC has two do two things in the coming years. One; bring more young producers into the fold and educate them on how to be Beef Advocates. Two; we have to become better at sounding off in a cohesive, educated, and conducive manner to the general public. We produce the best protein source for them and we need to tell them why.

If you could have coffee with your elected representative in Washington and talk about anything you wanted, what would you say?

Policy from Washington needs to be both simple and rational.

If you could spend a day with Michael Pollan what would do with him?  What would you say?

I would probably take him through the Beef Supply chain. I would also try to discuss with him what we have in common and what we don’t.  I would then express to him that ultimately we need to drive to a solution that both provides for the producer, the community and the world. The holistic approach to the cattle industry is truly what most producers strive for and he needs to know that there are solutions to many of the problems he sees with our production practices without giving up our current supply chain of uses of modern medicine and technology.

In your opinion, what is the best way to connect cattle producers to consumers – both in rural and urban areas?

Bring the rural ideas, practices, and products to the consumer/urbanite. We truly need to bring us to the people. I have seen this practiced through the cooperative Country Natural Beef and the affects are astounding. When people know you, have a relationship with you, and “understand” you, they will be your advocate and be loyal to your product. YPC, NCBA and the cattle industry as a whole, needs to do more of this. Social media will only go so far…personal contact does so much more. 

Did you watch Food Inc.?  If so, what did you think?

Food, Inc. showed us in the Beef industry the power of propaganda and marketing. Certainly I believe that the best defense is a good offense and that is why advocacy in this digital age must be stepped up. Food Inc. also revealed that we need to do better at policing ourselves and creating an industry that not only produces a good product on the plate, but throughout the supply chain. Animal welfare, environmental conscience consumers need the confidence that what we do is right and for the right reasons.   

Do you consider yourself an “agriculture activist?”  If so, what type of activities do you partake in?

Yes, I will denounce false facts, and spread the word on the positive health that can come from consuming Beef. I also try hard to be educated on the current environmental issues and work to voice my opinion on these matters. I stop at grandstanding and maybe that is what I need to do a little more of, if at the least writing to the editor and attending and voicing my opinions/facts at public meetings.

What do you think are the top three issues that affect young cattle producers?

3? Come on there are more than that –

1.       Environmental Issues/regulations

2.       Animal Welfare

3.       Starting in the cattle industry

If you are on Twitter, I recommend following Chris's sweet tweets from @USAgrules  @YPCBeef also has created a list of other YPC folks who are on Twitter.