ANDI WILSON: BEEF FARM MOM RELATES TO CARDS FANS THIS SUMMER

“The Race to the Plate, especially the Farmers in Ford Plaza component where farmers and fans get to have conversations, is how farmers and ranchers meet consumers where they are and make real connections in a way that other MBIC advertising efforts aren’t always able to do,” shares Sydney Long, executive director of Missouri’s Beef Industry Council (MBIC). 

“I always keep an ear open for opportunities to explain the truth about agriculture so I am honored to be a part of Race to the Plate,” Andi says. “I hope the campaign will connect consumers to our products and increase beef demand. I want consumers to see the real people working hard every day to produce beef that is safe for everyone.” 

Each day Andi feeds and monitors the family’s cow-calf herd, checking for new calves in season. The herd is mostly black commercial cattle, but Andi enjoys seeing the occasional pop of color in the pasture from days when they raised colored breeds. As the herd manager, Andi retains cows that are great mothers, that produce calves that grow and meet weaning weight benchmarks. The Wilsons raise and develop their own replacement heifers, and some are sold in the Show-Me-Select Heifer Sale.

The family farm business also includes a beef backgrounding program, managed by Andi’s father-in-law. Andi and her father-in-law work to keep the farm running smoothly, doing some daily work together. 

Andi did not grow up on a farm in Waterloo, Il. but she was passionate about animals, so she chose to earn Animal Science and Biology degrees at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She planned to become a veterinarian but married one instead. Andi and Dallas married in 2011 following his MU vet school graduation. Andi worked alongside Dallas in his large animal practice until they welcomed their first child. 

“The truth is, Dallas became a vet so he could farm,” Andi says.

Dallas and Andi’s children will be involved with Race to the Plate, too. Faith (25), Claire (11), James (9), Laine (6), and Edie (4), step up to the plate regularly to share agriculture with their peers at the request of their teachers. The Wilsons live only 50 miles outside of St. Louis, in the rural Grandview school community where most people are removed from life on the farm. The Wilson kids are veterans of the Redbird Rookies program, hosted by the St. Louis Cardinals, so they are anxious to return to Busch Stadium this year for the Farmers in Ford Plaza event.

“As farmers you hope that your children grow up to love what you work hard doing,” Andi shares.

“We are excited to highlight the different faces of our industry through Race to the Plate. Andi and her family are fantastic examples of hard-working people that juggle the farm, business, families, and do it all with a smile,” continues Sydney.