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SMA 70th Annual Convention & Suppliers’ Showcase

July 22-25, 2026
Moody Gardens- Galveston, TX
Registration and more information are available here.

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Date

Jul 22 - 25 2026

Time

8:00 am - 11:00 pm

Location

Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens
One Hope Blvd. Galveston, TX 77554
Website
https://www.moodygardens.com/

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  • Home
  • About
    • Back
    • Staff
    • Leadership
    • Hall of Honor
  • Membership
    • Back
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Regular Membership
    • Associate Membership
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Food Safety
    • Nutritional Analysis
    • Foreign Material
    • Appendix A & B
    • HACCP
    • Labeling
    • Recalls
    • Food Defense
    • Processed & Cured Meats
  • Podcast
  • SMA Foundation
    • Back
    • 2026 SMA Foundation Scholarship Application
    • 2025 Scholarship Winners
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Contact
Bo Garcia on Meat Judging, Scholarships & Teaching Gen Z
bymeatpeople

Recorded at the Southwest Meat Association (SMA) meat judging contest with support from Forum Meat and Columbia Packing, Neil interviews Bo Garcia, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln extension assistant professor who coordinates the meat judging program and is finishing his PhD. Garcia, originally from La Vernia near San Antonio and a Texas A&M graduate, credits SMA scholarships and describes the SMA as a supportive family network. He shares how he began meat judging in 2018, fell in love with its academic and interpersonal benefits for students, and has coached teams since; his current team is small, with two new students competing for the first time. Garcia encourages students to apply for SMA scholarships and advises young judges to trust themselves and the process. His research focuses on youth education and Gen Z learning preferences and how higher education and employers can adapt training and expectations.

 

Topics

00:56 What SMA Means

01:46 Nebraska Role

02:26 Aggie Ring Story

03:12 Meat Judging Journey

03:51 Family Influence

04:53 Team Update

05:19 Scholarships Explained

08:27 PhD Plans Ahead

09:54 Advice Trust Yourself

11:18 Gen Z Education Research

13:11 Wrap Up Thanks

 

Bo Garcia on Meat Judging, Scholarships & Teaching Gen Z
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Bo Garcia on Meat Judging, Scholarships & Teaching Gen Z
April 29, 2026
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Grace Bryson on SMA Scholarships & Meat Judging
April 16, 2026
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