Block and Bridle Club to honor Bosshamer

Ann Marie Bosshamer of Kearney will be recognized as the newest University of Nebraska-Lincoln Block and Bridle honoree.

The Block and Bridle Club focuses on building leaders in the livestock and meat industries. The award recognizes those who have contributed to Nebraska agriculture through leadership, service, youth projects, community activities and involvement with UNL.

Bosshamer is the executive director of the Nebraska Beef Council, where she leads a team to collect and manage beef check-off funds in the state. In 2015, check-off collections totaled $9.2 million. Of those funds, $3.5 million are managed by the Nebraska Beef Council. Known throughout Nebraska as the “Voice of Beef,” Bosshamer has made many presentations to producer groups and has narrated dozens of radio advertisements to promote beef.

Communicating beef to a national and international audience is a passion of Bosshamer’s. She works with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to share the story of beef to international guests and other influential groups. Her tours for national media and agricultural influencers have helped define Nebraska as a place where people care about animals and nurture the land.

In addition, Bosshamer is a leader in youth mentorship. She has committed many hours to youth and students, having made several presentations to classes at UNL. The Nebraska Beef Team, created by Bosshamer more than 10 years ago, has become a national model for beef education. A joint program with UNL, the Nebraska Beef Team places students in grocery stores to provide credible information and help customers select and cook great beef.

Bosshamer graduated from UNL with a degree in diversified agriculture in 1992. She worked as a Nebraska Extension assistant in Lancaster County until she began her career with the Nebraska Beef Council in 1996.

Bosshamer will be recognized at the Block and Bridle Club Honoree Banquet at 6 p.m. April 30 at the Nebraska East Union, 1705 Arbor Drive. Tickets are $10 for club members and $20 for non-members. They can be purchased by contacting a Block and Bridle officer or Andi Hallberg at andi.hallberg@unl.edu. A reception for Bosshamer and her family, friends and past honorees will precede the banquet at 5 p.m.

The Block and Bridle Club is part of the Department of Animal Science within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at UNL.