New Mexico CowBelles Jingle Jangle

JINGLE JANGLE

The Chamiza CowBelles’ August meeting was called to order at 12:14 p.m. by President Jeni Neely in Johnny B’s Restaurant with five members present. Cathy read the Invocation and Creed. All recited the Pledge. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved as read. The treasurer’s report was also approved as presented. Nancy attempted to order more license plates. Apparently, the original sold. The new company will not have more available until later in August. Beef raffle ticket sales are going well. Two members have sold 700+ tickets. Cathy will set up the CowBelle booth at the upcoming Petersen Youth Rodeo and Dutch Oven Cookoff taking place August 7th and 8th. She will be selling the new T-shirts as well as beef raffle tickets, cookbooks, license plates and brand throws. Jeni received a letter from Madison Hopkins, a scholarship recipient. Madison took a summer class; she will be graduating in December, a semester early. Madison intends to continue classes to achieve a Master’s Degree. At this point, she has used only $3000 of her $4000 scholarship. She requested that we give her the entire $1000 balance in September. The group decided to give her the regular semester amount of $500 in September and the remaining $500 in January as she begins her studies for her master’s degree. At that point, she may request additional funds to finish out her master’s studies. Jeni will notify Madison of the group’s decision. Jeni took a photo of two embroidered tea towels that Cathy brought to the meeting. Jeni’s mother has a commercial embroidery machine. She will give a price for making some that CowBelles can sell. Brandi Apodaca won the door prize of free lunch. Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m. Submitted by Cathy Pierce.

Powderhorn Cattlewomen will hold their August/September meeting with Nancy Schade and Judy Byrd as co-hostesses on September 16 at First Baptist Church, Ft. Sumner. This will be the prep day for Old Fort Days as the date changed from Sept 4 to Sept 18. The group will serve BBQ sandwich sack lunch from the football concession facility. Cost will be $10 and includes a drink. The group is happy to report everyone has had rain and have green grass and cattle are looking fat and sassy! Thank you, Lord! Joan Key secretary

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. ▫

Reflection on Fairs and Family

by New Mexico CowBelles Beef Ambassador Callie Bennett

Getting a calf ready to show is definitely a family project, it brings us together and shows us that even on the days where it’s hard to get out of bed, or if we’re just not feeling great, that putting in the work will give you the outcome that you aspire for. Every time I’m out in the barn working, my parents go out of their way to come help and give me advice. Without my family’s support I would struggle immensely. There’s no level of gratitude that I can express to thank them enough.

Callie Bennett’s beef story starts with hard work. For the past 16 and a half years, I have lived on a ranch in southeastern New Mexico. I learned early on how to work hard and be a good steward of the land. While living on the ranch, I have learned the importance of taking care of the land and the cattle that graze it. Cattle grazing stabilizes the soil and promotes growth of essential grasses while protecting against erosion and fire.

Growing up my role model was my dad. He was an early influence on me because

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living on a ranch 42 miles from town I interacted with my family more than other kids. My dad was always out working cattle, and I always was excited when he asked me to go with him to feed, check waters, put out mineral so I could go explore. The passion of the cattle industry comes easy to me because that is all I know. I have watched my dad manage our cattle herd over the past 16 years. He has made important decisions that now reflect the quality of our family’s cow-calf operation. I have learned more from his example of how to be a good steward of the land and how to run a cowcalf operation efficiently.

The Value of the County Fair

by New Mexico CowBelle Beef Ambassador Joanie Vance

Something that gets lost in the chase of purple banners and buckles is the reason why we have county fairs in the first place: to encourage each other. We all start from somewhere. Remember, there is always someone watching you. Whether it’s the booster who wants to be just like you because you’re one of the “cool kids” or someone in the community who wants to learn more about the industry. Take the time to educate and involve them. Think back to one of your first county fairs, who were the people you looked up to? The ones who helped encourage you and took you under their wing. You looked up to the ones who were gracious winners and losers. You looked up to the ones who always tried to smile at you even if they were having a bad day. As a generation of showmen leave, the ones they took under their wings take their place and continue the cycle. Even though there seems to be fewer and fewer kids involved in the industry on the county level, the focus should still be on them and what benefits them the most. County fairs aren’t about buckles and sale slots, it’s about encouraging younger generations to be involved in the Ag industry.

A Little Attention Please

Former President and CowBelle of the Year Evelyn Yates (Copper CowBelles) could use some sunshine from her fellow CowBelles. You can send her a card c/o Sunset Vista, 3650 N. Fowler Ave., Silver City, 88061. ▫