BUNKHOUSE

still we endure

reflecting on a year for the record books

by CCA Office Administrator Morgan Lyman

As we reach a new milestone, we are left to reflect on the changes that followed us into the new year. Last March was the first time many of us had heard terms such as ‘15 days to slow the spread,’ ‘shelter in place’ and even the word ‘pandemic.’ In a matter of days our entire society on every level changed.

In the last few months, our country as a whole has experienced great change. Welcoming a new administration into Washington, D.C., has received lots of attention as well as the continuous roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine.

California has issued and changed several mandates with tiers and graphs over the past several months in hopes of controlling the terrible disease that has swept over our world. As we continue this battle with the invisible enemy, our state endures.

Recently, our association welcomed new additions to our leadership team. Despite not being able to formally welcome them each in person, I am still excited for what the future of CCA holds as they have already hit the ground running.

In the past year, our communities have walked through an unimaginable amount of change. Change that has affected each and every one of us in different way, some more than others. We have rallied together for support to look towards the future.

I have spent time thinking of all the things that have changed for me personally in the past year. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would not be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family or that Disneyland would still be closed. To top it all off, I never thought I would be getting to know all of you virtually.

It seems crazy that masks and stay at home orders have now become such a normal part of our lives. Watching daily briefings to learn new information as things change often and have become so important to our daily lives.

We are living in new times, a new era. With that comes change. However, there is one thing I know has not changed. The passion to preserve our way of life. You all have not given up and I can assure you that CCA staff and leadership has not either.

As we continue to learn how to navigate this new lifestyle, we have learned that a vital component to make this all work is communication. As we strive to stay connected in these unprecedented times, it is important that your CCA membership account includes a current email address. Email is the fastest way for CCA staff and leadership to reach you with breaking news and updates on topics important to ranching in California.

Please visit https://calcattlemen.org/emailupdate/ and send in your email address by March 31. By doing this, you will also be entered into a drawing to win a bottle of CCA Private Reserve Maker’s Mark Whiskey.

Change is the one thing we can count on. I hope as we continue to adapt, we can support and encourage each other as we face the unknown.