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New Mexico CowBelles Jingle Jangle
JINGLE JANGLE
Thank goodness there are still more people who love beef, who envy the rural life, and who hold us all in very high esteem than the bias media would have us believe! Recently, thanks to an invitation from Farm Bureau to have a table at the Ag Day festivities at Isotopes Park, I was gloriously reminded of that.
Well supplied by the Beef Council with recipes and hot pads for the adults, and coloring books, crayons and rulers for the kids, a friend of mine and I had a great time handing out materials, talking with people about beef and all the things derived from beef that you wouldn’t expect, ranching, and, of course CowBelles. We also received so many gracious words of encouragement, and so many thank you’s, not just for the materials, but for coming out to talk with them, and for bringing live animals. It was a great day!
We also met some fellow ranchers, some lovely CowBelles from Yucca and Mesilla Valley, and some dedicated 4-H kids. It was a great pleasure to work with everyone from Farm Bureau, including our current CowBelle of the Year and Social Media guru, Dalene Hodnett, and our wonderful Wrangler Editor, Katelin Spradley . Thanks to Farm Bureau for giving the New Mexico CowBelles an opportunity to help out. Thank you to everyone who brought animals too! The kids’ faces still lit up as they told about seeing the animals when they came into the park. And thanks to everyone at Isotopes Park who made us feel comfortable and welcome!
Let this be the takeaway: people LOVE beef, they LOVE the rural life, and they LOVE us for what we do! We ARE appreciated! Let’s all keep doing what we do, from the heart! – Jacinda Price
President, NM CowBelles
The April meeting of the Copper CowBelles held at noon with VP Michelle Greeman presiding with 11 members present. The usual preliminary protocol opened the meeting, Pledge, Invocation and CowBelle Creed. Michelle gave update on NM State CowBelles business. The State District Workshops will most likely be complete in two meetings. The Wrangler will be out on May 1st and will include registration forms for the Mid-Year Meeting. The New Mexico CowBelles will participate in Ag Day at the Isotopes baseball game on May 15. Ranch Days will happen at the McKeen Ranch near Glenwood on April 26 and 27. Scholarship Committee volunteers needed to help Pat Hunt with getting the information out to students. This is a rewarding endeavor and a good way to support the western way of life in the future. June is Beef Month. There was discussion on how best to promote it in the community. Group formed a Beef Promotion Committee to earmark funds for this purpose. Jessica Massengill added that her Beef Ambassador can assist in these promotions. There will be a recurring annual donation to “Ag in the Classroom.” To support the wonderful job of imbedding important Ag information into a classroom presentation. Michelle noted that Carolyn Nelson has done an excellent slide show re: USFS History and Land Use that is very informative. She also suggested that group thank Yvette Harrell for keeping up with the feral cow issue and voicing her concerns. Pat announced that New Mexico Gas Co made a donation to Copper CowBelles in support of the positive work accomplished in the community. The group appreciate them and Lori Nell Reed! A reminder that early voting in Grant County begins on May 10. Please vote early and in person. The FFA youth who competed at State did very well, earning wins and high placings. Copper’s
Chamiza CowBelles’ May meeting opened by President Jeni Neeley at 12:03 p.m. at Johnny B’s Restaurant in TorC with six members present and began with the Pledge, Innovation and Creed. The minutes and treasurer’s report read and approved. A thank you note from NMCB for the $300 donation made to the Pat Nowlin Scholarship Fund read. Kimmy Molsbee has joined CowBelles as newest member. Welcome Kimmy! Julian Marta, a local ag teacher, contacted Jeni regarding a possible donation from NMCB to help with expenses for the June 24-26 meeting of the NM Agriculture Education Teachers’ Assn. Further discussion tabled until June meeting. Ag Day will be May 6. The NM Beef Council will send a representative to present the Kids ‘n Kows program. The Chamiza Cowbelles will set up booth at 11 a.m. in preparation for the afternoon “adult” attendance. All events held at the local fairgrounds and in the Albert Lyon Event Center. Jeni announced two upcoming events: July 1-3: Southern
Copper CowBelles participated in the McKeen Ranch Days.
NM Regional Livestock Show with a jackpot on July 3. This event held at the Sierra County Fairgrounds. Petersen Memorial Dutch-Oven Cookoff in August. Sherry won the door prize of free lunch. Meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m. Submitted by Cathy Pierce
Powderhorn Cattlewomen met at the lovely home of Beverly Carter on May 11 with 10 members and two guests present. Beverly Overton and Kelsey McCollum were hostesses. Ann Sleep, President, opened meeting with invocation, pledge and creed. Minutes and treasurer’s report given, as well as courtesy cards sent to members that are unable to attend. Committee reports included scholarship winners for 2022. Abigail Sleep, Ft. Sumner, and Asa Thompson, Santa Rosa were the recipients. Two other names, Kenzie Bequette and Jordan Wilton were submitted to the Pat Nowlin Scholarship fund for consideration. Congratulations to both! Old Fort Day Committee report included finalizing Prep Day June 9 at First Baptist Church, and group will be working out of the High School concession stand as well as a booth at the J and L Construction, close to the Park. BBQ sandwiches, chips, cookie and drink and planning for 300. Group will supply hamburger patties for the banquet sponsored by the Women’s Club honoring the honor roll students of Ft .Sumner. Leslie Armstrong, past president of Ft. Sumner Irrigation Ditch, gave a very informative program on the canal that runs through Ft Sumner, how it came about, and how it continues to serve the farmers in the valley since the construction of Ft. Sumner. The lunch included Mongollan Beef served on rice and many side dishes. Next meeting is June 9 at FBC in Ft. Sumner. Joan Key, secretary
The Copper CowBelles had the privilege of participating in McKeen Ranch Days near Alma, NM on April 26 & 27. Close to 600 students, teachers, and parents learned about various parts of the agriculture industry and it’s by-products from a variety of presenters. Members Cyndi Donavan and Michelle Greeman gave a butter making demonstration, and talked about the dairy and beef industries. The finished butter went on to the chuck wagon to be served with fresh Dutch oven biscuits. Several other members also attended to help including Pat Hunt, Alida Burchett, Alena Johnson, Kurstyn Johnson, Carol Crosley, Kathy Davis, and Laura Frost. A huge thank you to Hugh and Margie McKeen for hosting such a wonderful and educational event. Submitted by Michelle Greeman, Copper CowBelles Vice President
Mesilla Valley CowBelles participated in the Dona Ana Ag Explorer Days at the NM Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum May 10 and 11, 2022 where 4th and 5th graders were introduced to the many workings of Agriculture. Mary Esther Grider, Liz Higgins and Fita Witte challenged the students with the many byproducts of beef with their “Where’s the Beef” presentation. May 6 Mary Esther went to Hatch present the “Hamburger” to the Ag Day there. Plans are in the works for an Ag Day at Action Academy here in Las Cruces on June 24. Submitted by Janet Witte
New Mexico CowBelles: Thank you to all who have submitted their news to Jingle Jangle. Please send minutes and/or newsletters to Jingle Jangle, Janet Witte, 1860 Foxboro Ct., Las Cruces, NM 88007 or email: janetwitte@msn.com by the 14th of every month. ▫
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