JINGLE JANGLE

This month’s featured member is Patricia “Tricia” Monk, from Yucca CowBelles and Wool Growers. Tricia and her husband Jim moved to Artesia in 1999 from Rhode Island. She works for New Mexico State University at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Artesia as a Sr. Research Assistant in Entomology. Tricia also owns Made to Lather, (find her page on Facebook, ladies, she has some fantastic product) an artisan bath and body company she started in 2008. However, they spend much of their time taking their daughter, Makayla who is 13, around the country showing dairy cattle and fancy poultry.

“I joined CowBelles because I wanted to be more involved in the community. I have always been drawn to the Ag industry, so the mission of NM CowBelles seemed like the perfect fit. Living in the southeast corner of the state, which represents 1/3 of Agriculture in NM, along with a rich history of ranching, I feel it is important to have strong advocates for the beef, ranching and cattle industry. I enjoy doing my tiny part to educate our youth and my peers about the beef industry. I am happy to be a small part of this great group of women.”

Don’t let Tricia fool you, her part is anything but tiny. Since joining Yucca CowBelles in January of 2016, it wasn’t but one year later she became Treasurer. She keeps apt records and every member on track. Yucca is very proud to call her theirs and we are thankful you are a member of New Mexico CowBelles, Tricia!

– Vonda Frost NMCB President

Yucca CowBelles and Woolgrowers met at the CVE in Artesia 10:00 a.m. March 28, 2023. Meeting called to order by President Joan Kincaid with nine ladies attending. Kyler Bowerman was hostess and served miniature donuts and cookies. Becky Waldrop led the Pledge, and Creed was read by Mary Kay McCollum. Secretary Tina Kincaid read the Minutes of last meeting and they were approved as read. Treasurer Tricia Monk delivered Treasurer’s report. Donations made and delivered to Grammy’s this month was All Purpose Cleaner and Hand Lotion. Laura Netherlin reported that cookbooks are selling very well right now. April 20th is Ag Day at Park Junior High. Laura Netherlin will take Rice Krispie Treats for the kids. Next meeting is April 25th at Vonda Frost’s home at 10:30 a.m. and will be a potluck meal after with meat and bread provided. Meeting adjourned. The Program was given by Sandi Wilkie and Riki Lopez representing Soil and Water Conservation in Eddy County. They gave a very interesting program on their Water Conservation Project involving the use of 4” inch black balls filled with salt water that float on top of water in reservoirs, open water storage tanks and water troughs. They are called shade balls and cut down on water loss through evaporation and wind. Since they shade the water algae growth is significantly decreased as well a carcinogen called bromate and also reduces ice in water troughs during very cold weather. Soil and Water Conservation is offering a cost share program reducing the cost of the balls from .72 cents each to .32 cents each. Data provided by Roosevelt SWCD shows for example, a reduction in water loss in a 7.5’ drinker of 2,622.75 as compared to a loss of 10,767.25 gallons without the shade balls. Respectfully submitted be Tina Kincaid, Secretary

The Chamiza CowBelles April meeting was on April 6, 2023, at Johnny B’s Restaurant. The meeting was called to order at 5:37 p.m., with six members present. The invocation and creed presented by Kimmy. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved along with the treasurer’s report, which was filed for audit. The main discus- sion of the meeting was scholarships. There are seven applicants. It was decided to give out one vocational scholarship of $3,000 and three academic scholarships in the amounts of $2,000, $1,000 and $1,000. The academic scholarship is to be paid in $500 increments. The winners of the scholarships will have to provide proof of enrollment to their school before getting the check. They can also re-apply to get another scholarship at the end of their first year. The group also chose a winner to receive a “Women in Ag” scholarship that Senator Crystal Diamond asked group to present. The amount of this scholarship is $1,000. Chamiza CowBelles also agreed to endorse a current Chamiza CowBelle for the Pat Nowlin scholarship. The scholarship amounts and recipients were voted on and approved. Ag Day April 14 was discussed, and booth set up, with NM Beef Council rulers, Ag related questionnaires, beef byproduct fliers and jerky to hand out to the kids. It was decided to have a booth set up at the Sheriff’s Posse Arena for their Rodeo during Fiesta weekend, May 6-8, 2023 to sell all inventory items, along with beef raffle tickets. The beef raffle tickets were printed and handed out to any members who wanted them at this time. The group will work on selling them until the County Fair in October, where drawing occurs. The next meeting is scheduled for May 5th, 2023 at Johnny B’s Restaurant. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Submitted by Kimmie Molsbee

Mesilla Valley CowBelles did not meet this month, yet still active in several activities. Mary Esther and Fita presented at the Sierra County Ag Explorer Ag Day with Livestock Identification. Plans in progress for the Dona Ana Ag Explorer Days later in April. The group has been busy gathering items to add to the Ag Explorer trailer for presentation materials. Napkins have been repackaged and other items inventoried. Ready for fair and silent auction items. 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. ▫