NDSU Alum New Leader of Minnesota Beef, Cattle Groups

Thursday, December 15, 2022

The Minnesota Beef Council (MBC) has hired Kaitlyn Root to serve as the new Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) coordinator for the MBC and as the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association (MSCA) executive director. Kaitlyn will be responsible for coordination of the BQA program and overall staff management of the MSCA. Root grew up near Watkins, Minn. and attended Eden Valley Watkins High School. Growing up, Kaitlyn could be found playing sports, hunting, or spending time on the lake fishing with her family. She developed a passion for the agriculture industry while spending time on her family's crop farm, so she decided to attend North Dakota State University (NDSU) to further her education in the agriculture industry.

Kaitlyn graduated from NDSU in December of 2021 with a bachelor's in Agricultural Communication and a minor in Animal Science. While attending NDSU, Kaitlyn worked at the NDSU Swine Unit as a farmhand and as a caregiver in group homes for people with disabilities. She feels that both jobs added to her unique background and set of skills.

After graduation, Root worked for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup newspaper in Casper, Wyo. as an editor. She familiarized herself with ranching and gained knowledge on the beef industry during this time.

"Writing for an ag-based newspaper allowed me to really get to know ranchers and understand ag policy," Root said. "It opened my eyes to the challenges cattle producers face and how much they need organizations like the MBC and MSCA to fight for their rights every day."

"Kaitlyn has a great foundation to build from through life experiences and her educational background at NDSU," Mark Pankonin, President of the Cattlemen's Association added. "I look forward to growing with her at the MSCA."

Although she enjoyed her time out West, Root is excited to be back in Minnesota.

"I am looking forward to working closely with producers in Minnesota and representing the beef industry," Kaitlyn said. "I feel that with my experience in journalism and agriculture, I can provide a voice for producers. It is great to be home and I can't wait to get started."

Root can be reached at kaitlyn@mnbeef.org, kroot@mnsca.org, or (320) 535-0944.