I came across this photo of my dad in 1948. The photo was taken during a 30-day, 1700 steer cattle drive from Grants, New Mexico to Chama, New Mexico. As I look at this photo, I try to imagine how my dad thought 70 years down the road might look. Was he thinking of subflow water rights, animal rights activists, corn tariffs, green cards, fake meat, border issues, wolf reintroduction, or even the economic impact of a beef packing facility catching fire? I would venture to say, “no”. While I was sitting at our Summer Convention, looking at all 5 generations of ranchers, I was trying to image 70 years down the road. Just like my dad, I have no idea what the world will look like; however, I know that the Arizona ranching community will continue to be a vital industry! Over the past few weeks, I have seen our ACGA leadership and staff work to ensure all 5 generations in attendance at the 2019 Summer Convention, and many generations to come, can raise Arizona beef and continue to care for the land! Your leadership and staff do not slow down, and will not slow down. They are working seven days a week to protect our way of life and will continue to do so to ensure a vital industry for many generations to come. Water issues, the border, animal rights, the United StatesMexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the Arizona-Sonora Commission, wolf reintroduction, product labeling, ArizonaMexico Commission, labor issues, and many other topics are at the forefront of our lobbying and committee efforts. One of my first duties as President was to appoint committee chairs. Our committee structure truly speaks to our membership-driven mentality and is one of the driving forces behind our policies and education outreach. Through committees, members develop policy to guide our legislative efforts both at the state level and nationally. The following how our leadership structure is organized, including executive committee membership oversight, committee chairs, and staff support: 1st VP: Emmett Sturgill (Staff Support: Gaither Martin) Ag Policy: Fred Davis & Roger Warner Federal Lands: Emmett Sturgill & Brain deGanahl Forest: Teresa Hicks & John Fowler PLC: Emmett Sturgill BLM: Brian deGanahl PG. 20 :: FALL 2019
Legislative: Gary Kiehne State & Private Lands: Jack Mann & John Ladd Wildlife: Richard Searle & Mike Wear Wolf: Jeff Menges 2nd VP: John Ladd (Staff Support: Summer Johnson) Business Members: James English Convention: Billy Elkins & Robbie Sproul Education: Suzanne Menges & Susan Wilson Sanders Native American: Bill Inman Membership: Anne Marie Moore Structure: Lori Sturgill Winter Meeting: Mackenzie Kimbro Immediate Past President: Jay Wheten (Staff Support: Ashlee Mortimer) Arizona Ranchers for Tomorrow: Ben Menges Nominating: Jay Whetten Communications: Rick Bader Members-at-Large: Robbie Sproul & Mike Wear (Staff Support: Ashlee Mortimer) Border: John Ladd & Ted Noon Bylaws: Fred Davis Traceability: Jay Whetten Water: Jay Whetten Secretary: Jack Mann (Staff Support: Summer Johnson) New Technology: Steve Boice Parliamentarian: Ben Menges Treasurer: Richard Searle (Staff Support: Gaither Martin) Finance & Budget: Richard Searle Fundraising: Robbie Sproul & Gaither Martin In the coming weeks, each committee chair will recruit at least 6 members to participate in their committee. If you are interested in a specific committee, please contact the office or sign up for the specific committee online. You will then be added to the email lists for the committee(s) and will receive future communications. I am excited about the future – I am excited about the progress the cattle industry will make in the next 70 years. I am honored to be the voice for you and your family on state and national topics that affect our operations! Please don’t hesitate to reach out, Billy Elkins, Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association President
