2023
WINTER ISSUE
THE AMERICAN CATTLEWOMAN Quarterly Newsletter of the American National CattleWomen
PHOTO BY: KRISTEN SCHURR PHOTOGRAPHY
Make A Difference Pam Griffin, AZ | ANCW President Hello CattleWomen! I hope this finds you all well, and that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Fall approached quickly, and I know so many were thankful for a reprieve from the heat. For us all, it’s wonderful to see the change in the seasons. We are continuing to see an increase in membership, new people in WIRED, CBAP, and a few other positions. It’s been so encouraging to see the support and enthusiasm you’ve all shown. I know that 2024 is on a path to great success. I’m so excited for our upcoming team and all they will bring to the table! Our different opinions, thoughts, and ideas mesh into a strong and healthy organization as we work together and continue to strive to make American National CattleWomen, Inc. the premiere and strong organization it is today. We do have a large addition to our newsletter in the way of Bylaws corrections, clarifications or changes. Please take this next month to review them, think about any questions you may have, and please address them at our meeting in Orlando. You will have the option to Zoom into our meetings, so please watch for that opportunity. Instructions will be sent out to the entire membership as we get closer to Winter Convention. We are excited about or plans for Orlando, beginning with our traditional educational tour and lunch. We will be back early enough for you to explore a bit of Orlando, have dinner with family and friends, or just relax before our ANCW meetings that begin Monday and go through Tuesday. We have some great speakers planned, and of course the business of our association. As my time as your President is coming to a close, it’s a [cont'd]
IN THIS ISSUE REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 2024 CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION ANCW BY-LAWS PROPOSALS
REGION DIRECTOR REPORTS
JUNIOR CATTLEWOMAN FEATURE - LARAMIE SPARKS, OK
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THE AMERICAN CATTLEWOMAN American National CattleWomen Quarterly Newsletter
American National CattleWomen Attn: Ashley Hughes PO Box 700038 St. Cloud, FL 34770
The American CattleWoman is published quarterly: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. The American CattleWoman is designed to promote and develop ANCW programs and membership. It is a newsletter published to inform and serve the membership and to interest individuals in the American National CattleWomen, Inc. association.
Email: ancw@ancw.org
Volume LI | Issue IV October | November | December
Questions or Comments? Contact the ANCW Public Relations Committee Chairman, Cheyenne Sparks at ancwnewsletter@gmail.com. Advertising Rates: $500 for full page (7.5" x 10") $250 for half page (7.5" x 5") $250 for half page (3.75" x 10") ANCW RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE ALL ADS.
ANCW Leadership LtR: Vice President Nikki Weston of Utah, President-Elect Ruth Coffey of Oklahoma, and President Pamela Griffin of Arizona.
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! Join online at www.ancw.org/join-or-renew. ANCW offers multiple levels of membership for all ages of CattleWomen. ANCW has State Affiliates from coast to coast! Go to ancw.org to learn more about the CattleWomen in your state.
2023 ANCW Leadership President: Pam Griffin - AZ President-Elect: Ruth Coffey - OK Vice President: Nikki Weston - UT Recording Secretary: Leslee Lohrenz – MT Executive Director: Ashley Hughes - FL CFO: Melinda Sarman - NV Past President: Reba Mazak - FL Parliamentarian: Barbara Jackson - AZ
BOD Chair: Kady Porterfield - WA Region I Director: Brenda Kocher - OH Region II Director: Beth Barber Jones - TN Region III Director: Debbie Chute – MN Region IV Director: Cheyenne Sparks – OK Region V Director: Katharine Bruce - OR Region VI Director: Callie Martinez - CA Region VII Director: Shirley Thompson – SD
All reports and written material are subject to editing. American National CattleWomen (ISSN1042-5233) (USPS 315 470) is published quarterly by the American National CattleWomen, Inc. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduction in whole or in part, without written permission. Marketing postage paid at St. Cloud, FL and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to American National CattleWomen, Attn: Ashley HugHes, PO Box 700038, St. Cloud, FL 34770.
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[continued from cover] time of reflection. My husband and I would often sit with Baxter and Cindy Lou at industry dinners in Arizona. Baxter would ask me a million questions about what Cowbelles or CattleWomen were doing. He was a true cheerleader for all we do and have done. I remember in one of our conversations I told him, “Baxter, I’m the true benefactor of my position and this experience”. He smiled as if he understood, that I understood. It is humbling to serve all of you. I feel that way to this day. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to be President, serving you and this exceptional organization with a membership that is in a class by itself. The positive attitude of everyone made my year such a pleasure. The kindness, all the notes and emails of support, all the wonderful hosts, along with new friendships made in my travels will always be cherished. My hats off to you, the membership. You stand and represent all ANCW is, you are true, you are honorable, you are determined, you all work hard, you are passionate, and you love our industry; it shows! You have #madeadifference, and you will every single day. Have a blessed and beautiful Christmas season! ONWARD TO ORLANDO!
Pictured: ANCW President, Pam Griffin with ANCW Sponsor Multimin and fellow CattleWomen at the 2023 Washington CattleWomen meeting.
ANCW President Elect Report Ruth Coffey, OK | ANCW President-Elect I hope the Fall colors are reminding you that our ANCW Annual Convention is just around the corner. I can assure you your ANCW officers have been completing tasks to prepare us for 2024. It has been a busy fall securing convention rooms, decorations, guest speakers, and business for this year’s ANCW Annual Meeting. Serving as President-Elect has taken me to region meetings held in awesome locations where some great members call home. I have discovered through this year that each of you have special talents and personalities which give this organization a reputation that ANCW is known for. This is the time of year you need to be planning to become familiar with our committees. It is you that we need to help grow these committees with events, projects, and information to offer our members. We have two different types of committees, Marketing, which consists of three main categories: PROMOTION, which will manage our Collegiate Beef Advocate Committee and Retail Beef Promotion; EDUCATION, which will manage K12, WILD, and WIRED; and LEGISLATION. The second type of committee that makes up the working body of ANCW are the Administrative Committees. These committees include BYLAWS/POLICIES and PROCEDURES, BUDGET, MEMBERSHIP, PR COMMUNICATIONS, and WAYS AND MEANS. The Administrative Committees consist of current ANCW members who are elected from each of our seven regions. All of these committees need volunteers, YOU specifically! We need you to become an active member who brings her time, talent, and passion for making ANCW a strong organization. It is my hope that you will learn more about ANCW through serving on the committees we offer to our members. As you become more familiar with ANCW committees, programs, and its members, you will find opportunities to share your passion with others through promoting and educating others about our organization. Become involved, JOIN A COMMITTEE! PAGE 3
DISCOUNT CODE: CHEYENNE
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2024 ANCW WINTER CONVENTION AGENDA Hilton Orlando | Orlando, FL January 28th - 30th Sunday, January 28, 2024 7:30 am – 5:00 pm | Tours 6:30 pm | Nominating Committee Monday, January 29, 2024 8:15 am | State Presidents Council 9:15 am | Committee Meetings 10:00 am | Break 10:15 am | Executive Committee Meeting 11:15 pm | Speaker 12:15 pm | Lunch 2:00 pm | CBAP Presentation 2:20 pm | Ranch Raised Kids Presentation 2:45 p.m. | Break 3:00 pm | Board of Directors Meeting 5:00 pm | Closing Remarks (Day 1) Tuesday, January 30, 2024 8:00 am | NCBA Update 9:00 am | Speaker - Lucy Bowers 9:30 am | Legacy Verified Presentation 10:00 am | General Membership Meeting/Installation 11:30 am | Closing Remarks (Day 2) 12:30 pm | Past Presidents Luncheon 2:00 pm | Executive Committee Meeting 3:00 pm | ANCW Foundation Meeting 6:30 pm | Presidential Reception
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AMERICAN NATIONAL CATTLEWOMEN
JANUARY
28
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2023
ANCW Vice President Report Nikki Weston, UT | ANCW Vice President The Presidents’ Council is made up of the Presidents from each of our 25 Affiliate States. The purpose of this working group is to provide a platform and forum for sharing the state's achievements, ideas, and requests from the membership. They meet at least once a year at the Winter Convention. CattleWomen across the United States are accomplishing great things. If you have something that is working well in your area, please let your state president know so we can share it with the other affiliates. Each state president fills out a report each year about what is good and the things we can improve on. In the past, this report has been passed out at winter conventions. This year the report will be available on the members-only side of the website after the winter convention. Each Past American National CatttleWomen President will tell anyone who will listen how important our founding documents are. The Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures are available on the members-only side of the website. The Bylaws Committee (Angela Whitlock, Ruth Coffey, Barbra Jackson, Cheryl Foster, and Susie Magnuson) has worked hard to make sure they are current. Section 2: A.5 Under Affiliate Membership states that “100% States : There will be a complimentary registration for the States President or representative at the annual and summer conferences.” The definition of 100% State Affiliate membership shall constitute a state where ALL members belong to the state and national groups. At one time there were many 100% States. A benefit of sharing ANCW membership information with all of your state members would get your president's registration paid. . Recommendation from the Membership Committee to the Board of Directors: The Membership Committee has presented and the Executive Committee has approved a recommendation to the Board of Directors to increase dues. This recommendation will be voted on at the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention in Orlando, FL. The recommended increase is as follows: Suggested dues increase starting October 1, 2024 Collegiate Members $25 from $20 Lifetime Members $1500 from $1000 Sustaining Members $100 from $80 ANCW Bylaws ARTICLE II - Membership - Dues SECTION 3: Dues, Fees, Delinquency and Reinstatement A. Dues shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
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ANCW Education Committee Debbie Torres, CA | Education Committee Chair “Let us give thanks for this beautiful day. Let us give thanks for this life. Let us give thanks for the water without which life would not be possible. Let us give thanks for Grandmother Earth who protects and nourishes us”. -Daily Prayer of the Lakota Back to Books November is Gratitude and National Native American Month. While exploring books for our Book of the Month, I came upon this wonderful prayer. As I explored further, it became clear that many of these historical people had such a relationship with the care of the land, our environment and earth. Their wisdom of family traditions, their children’s education and recognizing the importance of women, contrary to many history books. These are of importance to the CattleWomen of today. The continuous care of our land and animals. The education of our children. The care of our families and to keep our traditions alive and well. Make sure to check out our Books of the Month listed on our ANCW website. Be sure to share it with your favorite teachers too! On the Moove Remember, the holidays are coming. Give the gift of Books. Encourage our youth to read. Create a family reading time (I know how difficult working this in a busy schedule can be, but the family time together has the greatest reward). Read the Classic Christmas stories, they are timeless and full of traditions. \ Riley’s Memorial Book Drive The book drive is moving right along. Let’s keep it going. Our drive will continue until we meet in Orlando, FL. Give the gift of Books. Holiday Self Help With the Holidays coming quickly, don’t forget to take care of yourselves. Do family traditions that make you happy. Choose to be happy – each day. Don’t forget to take a few minutes each day to read that favorite book. Enjoy your holidays with family and friends. One More Thing There was one more prayer that I would like to share since so many conflicts sit on our doors. “O Great Spirit, who made all races, look kindly upon the whole human family and take away the arrogance and hatred which separates us from our brother and sisters”. Cherokee Prayer Be Happy – Grateful and Blessed - Happy Holidays to All my CattleWomen sisters.
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ANCW Foundation Report Kristy Lage, NE | ANCW Foundation President The Foundation is looking forward to the winter convention in Orlando. During the annual meeting, the membership will be nominating and electing two new trustees. We also hope to draw the winners of the donation tickets we have been selling. Please contact treasurer Wanda Pinnow to get yours purchased. Several agenda items will be reviewed. We have reprinted the note cards and added some new photos, they are available on the website for $20 this includes shipping. The Legacy Scholarship application is also on the website, the deadline for applications is May 1st. We want to encourage members to choose the foundation as their Facebook birthday gift selection. Every little bit adds up and is appreciated. Please continue to donate in memory of loved ones and consider including the foundation in your estate plans. Donations can be made online via the www.ancw.org website. The Eclipse Dismal River Run, Half Marathon, 10k and 5k was held on September 17th and sponsored by the Foundation. On a beautiful fall morning, over 300 health minded athletes attended in the Nebraska Sandhills! “Gods Cow Country.” The runners received swag bags filled with beef nutrition information, delicious beef recipes, a bumper sticker and beef stick. Following the race runners were fed a beef brisket meal served by Smoken Hills BarBQue. This was an amazing event with unbelievable positive reviews! View the wonderful pictures at https://pearlsnapsphotography.pixieset.com/eclipserun2023/ captured by the official photographer Nichole Schmidt. CattleWomen organization are encouraged to consider doing similar promotion projects. ANCW has a checkoff funded tool kit available to assist in the planning. Feel free to contact Kristy Lage cowlage@nebnet.net for more information.
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WINTER ISSUE
2023
Proposed By-Laws Changes Angela Whitlock, WY | Bylaws, Policies, & Procedures Committee Chair
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Proposed By-Laws Changes Angela Whitlock, WY | Bylaws, Policies, & Procedures Committee Chair
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Proposed By-Laws Changes Angela Whitlock, WY | Bylaws, Policies, & Procedures Committee Chair
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Proposed By-Laws Changes Angela Whitlock, WY | Bylaws, Policies, & Procedures Committee Chair
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Proposed By-Laws Changes Angela Whitlock, WY | Bylaws, Policies, & Procedures Committee Chair
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Region I Update Brenda Kocher, OH | Region I Director August 26th The Ohio CattleWomen participated in the Ohio Cattlemen’s Gala that benefit the next generation of the beef industry leaders by providing Scholarships to those pursuing beef or livestock related majors in college. The Ohio CattleWomen donated toys for the silent auction and a quilt for the live auction that brought a hearty sum. The Ohio CattleWomen continue their raffle tickets for sale for a Blackstone Grill that will be raffled off at the end of the Ohio Beef Expo in March 2024. September 19-21 was the Ohio Farm Science Review in London, Ohio, I displayed a poster board telling about ANCW and Ohio CattleWomen with membership forms available, and it also displayed our WIRED event that will be April 5-6 in Wooster, Ohio. The OSU had an event promoting the WIRED event during the Farm Science Review. On October 14 the Ohio CattleWomen met at the Butcher Block Restaurant in London, Ohio, for their Fall Executive meeting.
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Region II Photo Highlights Beth Barber Jones, TN | Region II Director
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Region III Update Debbie Chute, MN | Region III Director It doesn’t matter what time of the year we are in; cattlewomen and men are always busy! The end of the year brings vaccinating, weaning, selling calves, starting a new group of feeders in the feedlot, and fall calving. That doesn’t consider all the work involved if you grow crops - harvest, fieldwork, and planning for the next crop that needs planted. Whatever work you are undertaking, please be safe, take an extra minute or two to check out the area and make sure there are no dangers lurking. As I am writing this, our family recently had a close family member seriously injured in a farm accident. He will be okay, but it will be a long recovery. My husband and I, and neighbors and friends are helping to keep the chores taken care of and to take some of the burden off the family because that is what farmers and ranchers do. We are there for each other; we help out with anything that needs to be done; we provide meals, prayers, and support anyway we are able to. Be safe and watch out for each other. Minnesota CattleWomen had a very busy and successful few days at the 2023 Minnesota Beef Expo! They held their annual Beef Ambassador contest naming the 2023 - 2024 team at the conclusion of the contest. Congratulations to Alicia Holtz, Matalyn Martinson, and Aubree Paplow! We know you will have a busy year and look forward to watching what you are doing. I hope to see a lot of ANCW Region III members at our annual meeting in Orlando, Florida January 28 – 30, 2024! If you have not registered yet, please do so soon. Another date to reserve on your calendar is May 30 – June 1, 2024. Our ANCW Region III Meeting will be held in St Joseph, Missouri on these dates. Missouri CattleWomen are hard at work planning a great meeting for us. Watch for more information to come. Have a safe and productive fall. Enjoy the upcoming holidays with your family and friends.
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Region IV Update Ddee Haynes, OK | Region IV Director Arkansas CattleWomen Report In July, ACW were invited to be a speaker at the CTE conference for career high school teachers. The ladies presented information about beef and also invited the teachers to ask the ACW into their classrooms to visit with their students. In mid-September, Arkansas CattleWomen went to McCrory, AR to a county fair and participated with other ag entities presenting beef to about 200 K-3rd grade students and their teachers. ACW utilized Daisy, their lifesized wooden cow, to teach the students about by-products and talk about nutrition and production. Everyone who attended, received a take home bag with beef information, a cutting board and of course, snack goodies made from beef and beef by-products. August, September, and October are big fair months, ACW have had several information booths across the state where various members took care of the booths. Early October, the ladies traveled back to the Eastern part of Arkansas and spoke to four (4) Family Consumer Science classes. During that time, the members did product demonstrations as well as spoke about various cooking methods and cuts of beef. They also talked about beef nutrition and food safety as the cooked. Four more FCS classrooms are schedule to be held before the end of the year. Oklahoma CattleWomen Report OCW teamed up with the OSU Collegiate CattleWomen at the Tulsa State Fair selling Ribeye Sandwiches to the fairgoers. With over 30 members coming out to help everyone had a great time. Recently a new Collegiate CattleWomen Chapter in OCW from Warner, Oklahoma was created, the new chapter is from Connors State College Collegiate CattleWomen. OCW is looking forward to working with the Collegiates to provide some opportunities that will help them learn and network. OCW held a meeting in August. The meeting was for officers, directors, and members to have a brainstorming session sharing ideas that would benefit, not only members, but the public as well. One of the ideas that was brought forward was the need to talk about CPR and first aid on the farm. The OCW feel this is a subject that is so important for all family operations. OCW has already taken action and they will be hosting the OCW Ag Health and Safety in the NW district at the end of October. The OCW NW Directors took charge and got a lineup of speakers in basic first aid and CPR, chute side safety for the whole family, nutritional health, mental health, entomology, and weather awareness. OCW is looking forward to this event and more throughout the year that will feature topics that are subject focused in order to give a more in-depth understanding and current trends that will be of interest to all levels of beef knowledge. Texas CattleWomen Report TCW held their Annual Spring Meeting in March in conjunction with Texas Cattle Raiser’s Association. Texas hosted their annual Women In Ranching Event in Stephenville, Texas in April at Tarleton State University, with close to 40 ladies in attendance. The event had been moved to a one-day event this year. But with the number of ladies in attendance a decision to move it back to a day and a half next year is being considered. Three new locals created this year along with an already established local, become reactive. With new local chapters, the Texas ladies do an informational session in the area and help them with their paperwork and get their feet off the ground. After they are established and have a bank account, Texas CattleWomen sends them a $100. TCW had two grilling 101 sessions this year so far and have two more on the books for this Fall. The most recent grilling 101 was in conjunction with the National Hereford Association. It was a great opportunity for to be able to interact with ladies outside the state and to talk about ANCW. The annual Fall Convention will be coming up on October 27-28th in Lampasas, Texas. At this meeting the ladies will be electing and installing new officers. The local Colorado River CattleWomen have a great event planned out for us. The Women In Ranching Fall Tour took place October 7-8th. Afterwards the ladies traveled through Crockett, Huntsville, Hungerford, and Beasley before heading back to Elk Hart, Texas. The coolest part about the tour this year, was visiting the Beef Cattle that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has, which is one of the biggest in the state of Texas. The local chapters are the boots on the ground and continue to do so many amazing things, working with Junior Colleges, working in High School, donating meat to Children’s Homes, they are continuing advocating on behalf of the Beef Industry.
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Photo by Tammy Jo Blackwell of Fredericksburg, Texas. Tammy is a member of the Hill Country Cattlewomen. “We have received an abundant amount of rain! The Creek is flowing! We have green grass for the livestock to graze! God is GoodAll the Time -God is Good!!”
Region V Update Katharine Davis, OR | Region V Director CattleWomen in Region V have had a busy summer! We have worked from the grassroots, actively promoting producers of all ages throughout our region! We have engaged in new activities and have worked hard to develop our young leaders in Agriculture through our Junior and Collegiate CattleWomen programs, as well as beef promotion and education to consumers. Our energy has been put toward developing beef industry leaders, supporting new local and county cattlewomen organizations, and telling our beef story to consumers. We look forward to sharing these stories of what we have learned and what has been accomplished by cattlewomen. Remember that our work is never done, and our future is in our young CattleWomen and Cattlemen. Throughout the region, cattlewomen have been gearing up for the new school year by preparing to engage students, teachers, and administrators with beef education and Farm to School programs. Local cattlewomen are promoting beef and ranching to young athletes and their families during 5k runs, biking events, beef expos, and fairs. Beef booths and volunteer work at legislative days and farm tours were ongoing throughout the summer and are now transitioning into fall sports activities and outreach events. April 20-22, Region V CattleWomen met in Denver, CO for our annual regional meeting and a fun filled few days! The Colorado CattleWomen treated us with phenomenal food and atmosphere as well as wonderful guest speakers that included meat specialist Dr. Jennifer Martin from CSU, Chef Jason, who hosts Beef in the Backyard, Brandi Buzzard from Buzzard’s Beat, and Dr. Temple Grandin, renowned animal behaviorist and autism activist. Attendees joined us from Colrado, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Wyoming. We had a fantastic time learning from the guest speakers as well as from each other about what is occurring in our concerning legislative issues, beef advocacy, and life on the ranch. We invite you to join us next year in Montana! In late July, cattlewomen from Region V attended the ANCW mid-year gathering in San Diego. Like our regional meeting, the ANCW mid-year and annual meetings provide an opportunity for learning, sharing, and growing as strong beef advocates. If you have not done so, I encourage you to attend any or all of these events. Scholarships are available to attend! Our meetings truly are a time of cattlewomen fellowship and growth. See you all there if not before!
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Region VI Meeting Callie Martinez, CA | Region VI Director Attention all CattleWomen, make plans to come to Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 11-13, 2024. The region meeting will take place on New Mexico State University’s campus. The New Mexico CowBelles have put together a fantastic agenda for this meeting. Some of the topics we will be talking about at the meeting include: Virtual fencing, a relatively new technology, which allows ranchers to control livestock distribution in rangeland landscapes without physical fences. The livestock wear a collar that communicates with GPS and reception towers to form a virtual fence set by the rancher or land manager. Cattle have demonstrated the ability and tendency to rapidly learn virtual fencing cues, eventually responding to the audio clue alone. Some studies are taking place at New Mexico State University and will most likely be shared about further at our meeting. In regards to our ANCW Region VI Elections: we will be holding a year election for the following committees: Budget, Membership, Public Relations, Ways and Means, and your Region VI Director. Standing Committee Reports will be given as well. Ladies will also have the opportunity to hear from the consulting dietician Kate Schulz, RDN, LD, LMNT as she serves as a consultant for the New Mexico Beef Council and Colorado Beef Council. From the New Mexico Beef Councils story in 2022, “Kate is an RD who just so happened to find a career representing farmers and ranchers. She thinks it is the perfect combination of what she does and where she comes from.” We all are looking forward to hearing from her. Everyone will have the opportunity to tour the brand-new meat lab, feed mill, and processing floor at New Mexico State University. The first day of meetings will conclude with everyone enjoying dinner at the New Mexico Farm and Heritage Museum. This museum is a real treat to visit as it showcases the history of farming and ranching in an interactive exhibit. In regards to getting to Las Cruces, New Mexico, you can fly directly into El Paso, Texas then drive 45 minutes to Las Cruces. Registration will be available in early 2024. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Las Cruces, New Mexico!
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Be Yourself Shelly Brake, AZ | PR Committee Region VI This poem, and many more were written by Georgie Sicking. Born in 1921, she made a name for herself working cattle and breaking horses in Arizona and California. In an age where women were expected to wear dresses, Georgie stuck with her Levi’s. I think we can all appreciate that. This poem reminds us all that no matter what we do, staying true to yourself, never goes out of style. BE YOURSELF When I was young and foolish, The women said to me, “Take off those spurs and comb your hair If a lady you will be. “Forget about those cowboy ways come and sit a while, We will try to clue you in On women’s ways and wiles. “Take off that Levi jumper Put up those bat wing chaps. Put on a little makeup and We can get a date for you, ‘perhaps.’ “Forget about that roping. That will make calluses on your hands. And you know it takes soft fingers If you want to catch a man! “Do away with that Stetson hat For it will crush your curls. And even a homely cowboy wouldn’t Date a straight-haired girl.” Now being young and foolish, I went my merry way. I guess I never wore a dress Until my wedding day. Now I tell my children, No matter what you do, stand up straight and tall, Be you, and only you. For if the Lord had meant us, all to be alike, And the same rules to keep, He would have bonded us all together, Just like a band of sheep.
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Do You Like To Eat? Emilee Haubner, TX | PR Committee Region IV Rep. Do you want to live and work in a rural community? I went to college to gain an education that would help me to obtain that high paying job so that one day I could purchase my own piece of land. Land that I could continue farming and ranching on. Does this sound familiar? There may be a few of you who had or have similar goals as I did and do. You want to have a career in agriculture and own your own land. Whether it's the food we eat or the land we want, both are given to us because someone poured sweat and got their hands dirty. How are farmers and ranchers able to provide us with this? It's because of the Farm Bill. This year the Farm Bill affects us all. Every 5 years the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry committee passes legislation that sets national policy. Kansas farmer Glenn Bunkrow is known for saying that the Farm Bill is not just for farmers and ranchers, it's for all who eat in the U.S. With the increase of people moving into many states, the increase in homes being built, tech c0mpanies, and foreign countries buying land, our rural acreage and farmland are decreasing. The current drought and higher input costs, are making it difficult for our farmers and ranchers to do their job. It even makes it harder for young people to get into farming and ranching. Agriculture and food security are paramount to the future of our nation. A hungry nation is not a secure nation. If you want to have safe food, own land, and live and work in a rural community, we need to take a stance. We need to make a difference with our voice by meeting with our congressmen and women and going to farm bill listening sessions. Share what in this Farm Bill matters to you. It takes all of our voices to protect what we love, to protect agriculture! We want a Farm Bill passed by the end of 2023. Remember, agriculture is not just the heritage of many farming families Iike ours, it is the heritage of the United States!
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2023
GOLDEN COWBELLES CORNER Written by Betty Accomazzo - Arizona Cowbelles Past President Edited and submitted by Barbara Jackson - ANCW Parlimentarian
Let us go back to the year 1939 when a group of ranchers and their wives in the vicinity of Douglas, AZ were meeting occasionally in the ranch home of Ira Glenn’s for dances. As the group outgrew Glenn’s large living room, four or five couples started acting as hosts, hired a hall and an orchestra and had delightful times together. Cattle folks love to visit and dance and swap old round-up yarns, so these gatherings were most delightful. Many who had not seen each other for weeks or months would get together and exchange “cattle talk” - rains, drought, markets, etc. It was at one of these dances that Mrs. Will Glenn suggested that cattle women get together and form a club. On October 17, 1939, sixteen women gathered in the home of Mrs. Ralph (Mattie) Cowan Douglas to organize. Mattie Cowan was elected President and Mrs. John Murchison, Secretary-Treasurer. When they tried to think of a name suitable for such a club, Mrs. Ben Snure, Sr. suggested “The Cowbelles.” Florence Snure (Mrs. Ben, Jr.) drew a picture of a cow’s head with a bell attached, and that was adopted as their symbol. The pin was a wooden replica and the symbol, with a silver cow bell attached. While the purpose of the organization was originally social, the members began to make Afghans and quilts for the Arizona Children’s Home in Tucson while they visited and exchanged recipes and information of special interest to cattle women. From the time the Cowbelles were organized, membership grew very rapidly and cattle women in other parts of the State became interested. The Cowbelle story was carried in the Arizona Cattle Growers’ weekly Newsletter. The Secretary of the Wyoming Stock Growers wrote that Wyoming women were interested and with permission the Wyoming State Cowbelles were organized at the Wyoming Stock Growers convention in Laramie in June 1940. During the war The Cowbelles felt it was better to meet in town due to gas and tire rationing. Many of the ranch families had a home in Douglas so the children could attend high school. They bought their own building in 1950 for $7,500.00 by taking out a mortgage of $5,100.00. They still meet in this building today. A cattle woman far down in the State of Texas also wrote, asking permission to organize Cow Belles. She said it was the unique organization she had heard of. “Cowbelles” really caught on, and now there are Cowbelle organizations in 28 states. In September 1946 Willcox Cowbelles organized, embracing wives of cattlemen in the Willcox area. In January 1947 Laveen Cowbelles organized. Arizona State Cowbelles was organized Tuesday, January 7, 1947, in the Arizona Room of the Adams Hotel in Phoenix AZ during the annual convention of the American National Cattlemen’s Assoc. Mrs. Marvin Glenn, President of “The” Cowbelles invited all Arizona cattlemen’s wives, mothers, and daughters to meet. Twenty-seven came and Margaret Glenn told how Cowbelles was started in the Douglas area, the purpose being strictly for social get-togethers. Election of officers was made by nominations from the floor, with the following elected: Mrs. Ralph Cowan, Douglas and McNeal – President Mrs. Dean Curry, Snowflake - Vice President Mrs. John P. Cull, Douglas – Secretary-Treasurer. Directors were Mrs. Ross Perner of Seligman; Mrs. John Neal of Kingman; Mrs. Bert Borgan of Nogales and Mrs. Joe Lane of Willcox. Three out-of-state cattle women were present – Mrs. Barlo of Wyoming: Mrs. Fielding of Colorado and Mrs. Hall of Idaho. They told of the activities of cattlewomen in their states. The following day Mattie Cowan called the second session of Arizona State Cowbelles to order. Announcement was made that 85 had joined, so right at the start it was evident that Arizona State Cowbelles were up and going. Wyoming was the first state organization formed in June 1940. By 1951 ten other state-wide organizations had been formed, leading to the development of a national organization. At the annual American National Cattlemen's Association convention in San Francisco in January 1951, Mary Louise Lynam was elected organizing chair and during the ANCA's 1952 convention in Fort Worth, Texas, the American National Cowbelles were incorporated on 7 January 1952. Lynam was elected president for 1952. Mattie Cowan from Arizona was the second national ANCB President. The aim of the ANCB was to assist the ANCA in its efforts to promote the welfare of the livestock industry, and to sustain and increase its membership.
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WINTER ISSUE
2023
JUNIOR CATTLEWOMAN SPOTLIGHT Laramie Sparks | Oklahoma | 6 Years Old Laramie Sparks is the six-year-old daughter of Landon and Cheyenne Sparks of Oklahoma. She enjoys helping on her family ranch, mutton busting and baking delicious treats for her friends and family. Her favorite thing to do on the ranch is to choose the name of all the cows and calves. A few of her favorite cows are Cheesecake, Popcorn and Pumpkin. Laramie has been attending CattleWomen meetings since she was in her momma’s belly! She is a junior cattlewoman member of both the American National CattleWomen and the Oklahoma CattleWomen. For the last two years she has hosted a “Cow Kids Corner” at the OCW Summer Business Meetings for kids to play while their moms participate in the meetings. She served as the 2023 Oklahoma Future Little Miss United States Agriculture where she traveled the state promoting beef and proving that little voices can make big waves in agriculture. In October, Laramie was named the 2024 National Future Little Miss Agritourism. She plans to use her reign to educate others on what agritourism is and how much fun you and your family can have on the farm! When Laramie grows up, she wants to be an “Animal Protector” so she can help animals of all shapes and sizes!
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