North Dakota Stockmen's Association
10/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/28/2026 10:22
Tomorrow’s Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit helps youth identify beef industry opportunities
Posted 10/28/2026
For immediate release:
Oct. 28, 2026
For more information, contact:
Tim Erbele, NDSA president: (701) 269-3045 • [email protected]
Jade Koski, NDSA special projects director: (701) 223-2522 • [email protected]
Julie Schaff Ellingson, NDSA executive vice president: (701) 223-2522 • [email protected]
Elizabeth Hasenwinkel, NDSA communications director: (701) 223-2522 • [email protected]
Tomorrow's Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit helps youth identify beef industry opportunities
Sixteen students from across North Dakota gathered in Dickinson, N.D., Oct. 22-24 for a high-energy, beef-industry career exploration and leadership development conference hosted by the North Dakota Stockmen's Association (NDSA). The 14- to 20-year-olds comprised the 2026 Tomorrow's Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit Class and represent a bright future for the state's beef industry.
"One of the most rewarding parts of the conference is watching the students step outside their comfort zones, build new friendships and discover opportunities they may not have considered before," said NDSA Special Projects Director Jade Koski. "These young people bring so much enthusiasm, curiosity and new ideas to the table. If this group is any indication, the future of North Dakota's beef industry is in good hands."
Koski kicked off the Summit on Thursday with a welcome, before turning the reins over to NDSA Executive Vice President Julie Ellingson, who gave a brief history of the 97-year-old organization and an overview of the state's cattle industry. Keynote speaker Rachel Buford Black then challenged students to recognize their potential during her presentation, "Dirty Words," encouraging them to move beyond the limiting labels of "too much," "not enough," and "selfish" and embrace their individual strengths. The afternoon shifted to hands-on learning as Lacey Quail and Dr. Jake Galbreath with North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension guided participants through a calving demonstration. Students practiced pulling calves and explored the equipment and supplies needed to prepare for a successful calving season. North Dakota Beef Commission Executive Director Nicole Wardner rounded out the day with an interactive look at the beef checkoff program. Participants put their creativity to work developing their own beef promotional campaigns while learning how checkoff dollars are invested to strengthen beef demand. Wardner later put the students' culinary skills to the test, teaching them grilling techniques as they prepared their own burgers for supper. The evening concluded with a competitive round of industry trivia.
On Friday, Monica Fitterer with NDSU Extension led the group in a Real Colors Workshop. Through the personality-based activity, the students gained a better understanding of their communication styles and learned how to recognize and appreciate the strengths of others. Next, the group put their creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test during the Beef Industry Shark Tank Challenge. Working in teams, students developed innovative products to address needs within the beef industry and pitched their ideas to a panel of judges in hopes of securing hypothetical funding. Top Hands wrapped up the morning with discussions highlighting the diverse career opportunities available throughout the beef industry. Industry professionals Dustin Elkins, senior manager of feed and animal health at CHS; Sheila Ressler, director of appraisal at Farm Credit Services of Mandan; and Matt Stroh, Killdeer, N.D. seedstock producer, shared insights into their careers, experiences and the paths available to young people interested in agriculture.
Top Hands spent the rest of the day getting an inside look at various beef industry segments through a series of tours, including Heart River Genetics, the Southwest Area Career and Technology Center and Stockmen's Livestock Exchange. The evening ended with bowling at Paragon Bowling, where the kids got another opportunity to strengthen friendships and enjoy some friendly competition.
Saturday brought more education and inspiration. Bridget Bullinger, registered dietitian, kicked off the morning teaching the class about beef nutrition and the importance of adding it to their diet. She also discussed ways to bring education to more youth consumers. Newly elected NDSA President Tim Erbele of Streeter, N.D., introduced himself and offered advice to the Top Hands about leadership, perseverance and getting involved. The final speaker of the conference, Dave Dockter of Mandan, N.D., gave participants a hands-on short course on artificial insemination (A.I.). The Top Hands learned the fundamentals of A.I., including proper handling and loading of equipment, before practicing the technique.
The 2026 event was the NDSA's seventh edition of the Tomorrow's Top Hands Beef Leadership Summit. The organization is planning its next Top Hands Summit for October 2028. For more information about it or NDSA student membership, call (701) 223-2522.
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Photos available upon request.
North Dakota Stockmen's Association published this content on October 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 28, 2026 at 16:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]