McDonald’s Canada supports Cattlemen’s Young Leaders through new initiatives

The Cattlemen’s Young Leaders Program (CYL) is elated to announce that McDonald’s Canada has become a Foundation Partner and is also supporting the program through a new video released today in honour of International Women’s Day.

McDonald’s joins founding partners, Cargill, UFA and MNP in ensuring that the CYL program continues to develop contributing young members of the beef industry into experts and champions of cattle farming and ranching for the entire country. In addition, McDonald’s has pledged $1 for every share of their International Women’s Day initiative on social media today to youth initiatives in the Canadian agriculture industry. The support for youth in agriculture across Canada is just another extension of McDonald’s ongoing support for Canadian agriculture.

Since its inception in 2011, CYL has given nearly 100 young, enthusiastic individuals in the Canadian beef industry access to training, mentorship, travel experience and exposure at a high level to how the beef industry functions.

“CYL is extremely grateful and excited about this continued partnership. The program looks forward to creating more energy and opportunity for CYL’s in the years to come. McDonald’s support will allow the CYL program to thrive, by exposing young beef enthusiasts to elements of a potential career choice and/or leadership positions in the beef industry,” said Jill Harvie, CCA Programs Manager.

“As a proud and strong supporter of Canadian farmers, McDonald’s believes that creating opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers is an integral part of building a vibrant, sustainable industry. That’s why we are so pleased to support Cattlemen’s Young Leaders, so we can continue to be an industry leader in creating momentum for tomorrow and working alongside farmers and ranchers across the country,” said Jeffrey Fitzpatrick-Stilwell, Senior Manager, North America Sustainability, McDonald’s.

McDonald’s has been a positive force in the Canadian beef industry through its initiatives involved in the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and the Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot Project. The McDonald’s Verified Sustainable Beef Pilot Project brought attention to the strong, healthy and sustainable beef industry Canada boasts. McDonald’s also sources 100% of its beef from Canadian ranchers. Their support for the CYL program reaffirms their dedication to promoting and supporting the beef industry in Canada. CYL looks forward to building upon an already strong relationship that has developed with McDonald’s for years to come.