Carlson First Recipient of Fred Johnson Memorial ScholarshipIt is an immense honor to be deemed a worthy candidate for the Fred Johnson Memorial Scholarship,” explains Brandon Carlson, recipient of the inaugural scholarship in the late Fred Johnson’s honor. Carlson, a Ph. D. student in Colorado State University’s Department of Animal Sciences, received this honor at the 2009 Cattle Industry Annual Convention held in Phoenix,
Ariz. earlier this year. After receiving both his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Colorado State,
“During my undergraduate degree, the beef industry had, at the time, the second largest ground beef recall due to E. coli contamination. This recall really increased my awareness as the suspect plant was in Colorado, as well as many of the individuals who became ill after consuming this particular product,” says Carlson in regards to his interest in this area of meat science. He goes on to explain how the negative perceptions of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) furthered his interest in combating the decreasing consumer interest in beef products. “...as consumer confidence declines, so does beef demand which deleteriously affects everyone in the beef industry. At that point, and with my passion for the beef industry, I wanted to receive the training that would prepare me to assist the beef industry in reducing/eliminating any real or perceived food safety concerns that result in decreased beef demand,” Carlson adds. Known as the founder of the Certified Angus Beef Program, Fred Johnson established Summitcrest Farms in 1949. Today, Summitcrest’s champion breeding cattle are a brand recognized around the world. Through cattle breeding operations in Ohio, Iowa, and Nebraska, paired with a genetics company in Montana, Johnson’s vision for the future of the cattle industry was far ahead of his time. Many honors, recognitions, and titles have come Johnson’s way including his induction to the American Angus Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame and Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1990, the Beef Improvement Federation named him Seedstock Producer of the Year for 1989. He was also past director of the American Angus Association, past president of the Ohio Angus Association, past chairman of the Certified Angus Beef Program, and both treasurer and chairman of the National Beef Promotion and Research Board. “Growing up in the registered seedstock business, I have a true appreciation of Mr. Johnson’s efforts during his development of Summitcrest Angus. Mr. Johnson was years beyond his time with his vision and expansion of the Summitcrest herd. It is especially humbling that a family of Johnson’s stature considers me an individual who emulates Mr. Johnson’s values,” continues Carlson. Carlson, a fourth-generation member of his family’s cattle operation, attributes much of his success to Colorado State. “The Department of Animal Sciences offers many opportunities that are unparalleled at other land grant universities. Not only does the Department employ world renowned faculty that conduct groundbreaking research, but they also excel at fostering the relationships with industry leaders that result in successful careers for their graduates,” Carlson says. |
