South Dakota schools can once again be a part of the Build Your Base With Beef program as 2020 season applications opened April 1, 2020.

The sports nutrition and training program, utilizing beef as its premier protein, was developed in partnership between the South Dakota Beef Industry Council and the Sanford Sports Science Institute as a way to prepare athletes and their families for a successful sports season.

The program first came on the scene in the fall of 2018 and has been gaining steam ever since expanding to 27 South Dakota school districts and both Division I university athletic programs during the 2019- 2020 athletic year.

“We continue to be extremely optimistic about this program as it continually expands and changes according to the needs of the athletes, schools and their families. We designed the program to be flexible and that has really proven to be a positive component, especially at the community level,” states SDBIC Executive Director Suzy Geppert.

Schools can apply to be part of the program until May 1, 2020, with selected schools being announced June 1, 2020.

They will receive funding for the purchase of beef to be used for pre- and post-game meals as well as access to evidence-based materials and resources inside the program toolkit.

Persons may visit https://buildyourbase.sdbeef.org/ to learn more about the program and find the 2020-2021 season application.

For more information on the South Dakota Beef Industry Council and the Sanford Health partnership, persons may contact Suzy Geppert at sgeppert@sdbeef.org or Merretta Anderson at manderson@sdbeef.org. Persons may also contact the office directly at 605-224-4722.

The SDBIC collects and administers the one dollar beef checkoff on cattle sold in South Dakota. Checkoff dollars are utilized strictly for promotion, education or research programs. Fifty cents of every dollar is directed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board for programs on the national level. The SDBIC retains 50 cents, which is invested in additional national programs or in-state programs.

The SDBIC is comprised of three representatives from eight agricultural organizations – South Dakota Beef Breeds Council, South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, South Dakota Cattlemen’s Auxiliary, South Dakota CattleWomen, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Farmers Union, South Dakota Livestock Auction Market Association and South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.