Beyond the Plate: Bringing the Story of Beef to the Next Generation

A warm glow flickered through the golden leaves on a fall evening in Kansas City. The fire, alive with the crackle of oak and the aroma of seared beef, illuminated an unlikely gathering of dedicated chefs, local ranchers, and urban teenagers being transformed into young men through the forge of agricultural work. This night was more than a culinary showcase. It was a spark that ignited a new partnership connecting Kansas agriculture to urban youth.

Earlier this year, the Kansas Beef Council (KBC) joined Controlled Burn, a live fire cooking fundraiser benefiting BoysGrow, a Kansas City nonprofit that mentors urban youth through agriculture, entrepreneurship and culinary training. This live-fire event brought together top chefs, community leaders and BoysGrow participants for an evening centered on food, fire and connection.

For the Kansas Beef Council, Controlled Burn offered an opportunity to share the story of Kansas beef. The organization’s involvement was driven by a belief that education and firsthand experiences are essential for maintaining beef’s place at the center of the plate.

BoysGrow operates a 10-acre farm in Kansas City where young men spend two years learning the business of agriculture. Participants grow vegetables, raise livestock, learn culinary skills and develop leadership experience while earning a paycheck for their work. BoysGrow’s mission is to help students build confidence, discipline and real-world skills that prepare them for careers in food and agriculture.

KBC’s sponsorship helped highlight beef throughout the Controlled Burn event and placed Kansas producers in the middle of Kansas City’s vibrant food culture. Guests rotated through fire-lit stations designed by leading regional chefs including James Beard nominees Michael Corvino and Vaughn Good, along with Amante Domingo and Brent Gunnels. During the VIP Happy Hour, featured dishes included a coal-seared wagyu beef nigiri and steak tartare.

Throughout the evening, Kansas producers mingled with guests, sharing laughter and lived experiences of ranching, animal care and the importance of beef to Kansas’ economy and communities. Producers in attendance included Luke Higgason of Pawnee County, Dean and Jenna Fitzsimmons of Pratt County, Andy and Sara Larson of Riley County, and Natalie and Dirck Hoagland of Leavenworth County. Their presence provided authenticity and grounded the event in the real people who raise beef across the state.

Following the success of Controlled Burn, both organizations saw an opportunity to continue the connection beyond the event itself. That vision became reality when BoysGrow youth and alumni were invited to J & N Ranch near Leavenworth for a day-long tour of their ranch.

Forty BoysGrow students, alumni and staff traveled to the ranch in November to experience how beef is raised in Kansas. With boots on the ground, this personal tour provided an in-depth look at the ranch’s operations, from feed and nutrition to herd management and environmental stewardship.

The day began at the farmland, where the Hoaglands described how they grow corn and soybeans for feed and explained the importance of river-bottom ground in maintaining soil health and productivity. The group learned about the role of agronomists and contract employees who assist with fertilizer management and harvest, ensuring resources are used efficiently.

At the feed storage area, the discussion turned to cattle nutrition and how rations are formulated to meet the needs of specific groups of cattle. They also learned about the different stages of the beef lifecycle and how cattle move through farms and feedyards as they grow.

From there, the group visited the feedlot to see how cattle are managed daily. Natalie, Dirck and their herdsman, Hunter Evans, explained how they monitor herd health and follow Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines to ensure proper care and welfare. Discussions also centered around the ranch’s water management practices, including how water from a pond is used when available and how runoff is managed to protect the environment.

The tour concluded in the barn, where participants learned about the ranch’s genetics program, the history of Black Herefords and the process of calving in Kansas’ variable spring weather. Afterward, the group gathered for a lunch prepared by Natalie Hoagland featuring beef meatballs, penne pasta, caprese salad, green beans and desserts — a meal that brought the lessons of the day full circle.

For many of the BoysGrow participants, it was their first time on a working cattle ranch. The hands-on experience allowed them to connect what they learn through BoysGrow’s urban farm and kitchen to the larger agricultural systems that feed their communities.

The Kansas Beef Council’s involvement in both events was made possible through Beef Checkoff dollars, which fund research, education and promotion to strengthen consumer understanding and demand for beef. While much of that work occurs through digital and retail marketing, initiatives like the BoysGrow partnership extend those efforts beyond traditional channels and into meaningful, face-to-face experiences.

Educational programs such as the ranch tour create space for authentic dialogue about food production, sustainability and nutrition. They allow consumers — and in this case, future food leaders — to see the care and science behind raising beef responsibly. By investing in partnerships that connect people directly to the source, KBC helps ensure that beef remains a relevant, trusted and valued protein option for generations to come.

In addition to benefiting BoysGrow students, the events also provided producers with a platform to share their story in new spaces. Many participants engaged with chefs, restaurateurs and community members who influence consumer perceptions of food and agriculture. Those conversations often dispel misconceptions and replace them with real understanding of the dedication and stewardship that define the beef industry.

For the Hoaglands, hosting the BoysGrow tour was a way to give back and help shape future advocates for beef. Their willingness to open their gates reflects a broader commitment among Kansas producers to transparency and education.

The BoysGrow partnership exemplifies how agricultural organizations can collaborate with community-based programs to bridge the urban-rural divide. It demonstrates that the story of beef is not only about production but also about connection — between people, places and shared values.

As the day at J & N Ranch came to a close, the BoysGrow students returned to Kansas City with a deeper appreciation for the work behind every cut of beef. They had seen the cycle of food production from pasture to plate and met the people who make it possible.

For the Kansas Beef Council, moments like these reflect the heart of the Beef Checkoff’s mission — to educate, engage and inspire confidence in beef through experiences that connect consumers to producers. Whether through a live-fire event in the city or a ranch visit, the goal remains the same: to ensure that beef continues to be a source of nourishment, pride and tradition in Kansas and beyond.