Amanda Radke, a contributor to the Tri-State Livestock News since 2007, is a fifth generation rancher from Mitchell, S.D., who has dedicated her career to serving as a voice for the nation’s beef producers. A 2009 graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in agricultural communications, education and leadership, Radke interned with USDA’s Ag Marketing Service in Washington, D.C., National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Denver, and BEEF magazine in Minneapolis. She’s the 2006 National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking champion and the 2006 National Beef Ambassador. In 2012, she was recognized as a Top 10 Beef Industry Leader by the Cattle Business Weekly. That same year, she was also featured on Media Industry News’ 2012 Top 15 People To Watch Under 30 list. When she’s not writing or ranching, Radke is traveling the country speaking to agricultural groups or reading her children’s book, “Levi’s Lost Calf,” at elementary schools. She married her SDSU collegiate meats judging teammate, Tyler, in 2010, and together, they have two children, Scarlett and Thorne.