For Immediate Release Contact:            Jonathan Beitia    303-850-3392     jbeitia@beef.org                         Sara Christmas   303-850-3372      schristmas@beef.org     W.D. Farr Scholarships Awarded    at Cattle Industry Summer Conference   DENVER (July 16, 2009) - Two outstanding graduate students were recognized today with scholarships awarded in honor of one of the cattle industry’s greatest pioneers. The National Cattlemen’s Foundation honored the late W.D. Farr, of Greeley, Colo., through two annual $12,000 graduate scholarships bearing his name.    Chelsea Kay Good will begin law school this fall at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.  Originally from Colorado, Good is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Communication Studies at Kansas State University, where she has also received Bachelor’s Degrees in agricultural communications and journalism, political science and public relations.  Good also received an Associate’s Degree in Agriculture from Butler Community College.  Upon receiving her law degree, Good plans to use her accumulative training to aid the beef industry in making a personal connection with consumers and lawmakers who are increasingly removed from the business.   Ryan G. L. Murphy is a doctoral candidate in Meat Science, at Colorado State University, where he also received his Master’s Degree in Meat Science, with research focus on international marketing of red meats as well as red meat quality and safety.  A native of Canada, Murphy received his Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science at the University of Saskatchewan.  Following graduation, Murphy intends to move to Asia to apply his knowledge in meat science to support international marketing of red meats as well as red meat quality and safety.  Murphy’s longer-term plans include moving back to North America to continue advocacy for free trade of red meat products.   W.D. Farr was president of the National Cattlemen’s Association in 1970 and was the first president of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.  His career in agriculture spanned 75 years and included innovations in cattle feeding, uniform beef grading, water conservation and banking.  Farr died at age 97 in August 2007.   Contributions to the scholarship fund total over $200,000, with fundraising efforts pursuing additional dollars to support more young scholars in the beef industry.   “We are very pleased to honor the late W.D. Farr and his life’s work in agriculture, while assisting young people who exemplify his drive and vision,” said Bob Josserand, chairman of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation Board of Trustees.   Note: For recipient photos or interviews, contact Bethany Shively at bshively@beef.org.    ###   The National Cattlemen's Foundation advances the future of the beef industry with passion and urgency. For more information visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org