by Beverly Butler and Members.

Greeting CowBelles,

October already, and as the year winds down I want to explore the importance of the beef checkoff for producers, consumers, and promoters. In other words, its’ important to almost everyone. The beef checkoff is funded by producers to increase beef demand. The

$1 per head is collected on all cattle sold and is used for producer directed promotion, research and information. New Mexico CowBelles promote beef and the beef industry every day. We do this with school programs, ranch tours, and grocery store demonstrations.

We participate in the National Beef Cookoff and the Beef Booth at the NM State Fair. Both of these activities provide us an opportunity to interact one-on-one with consumers, educating them on the benefits of beef, sampling beef and demonstrating convenient, healthy beef meals.

Programs funded by beef checkoff dollars:

• We hold a state Beef Ambassador Contest each year and send our winners on to the National contest. This is a competitive youth public speaking program for the beef industry. It promotes the beef industry and development of leadership skills in youth. The National Beef Ambassador Program spotlights the positive impact the cattle industry has on our economy and families. This program is funded in part by beef checkoff dollars.
• We give out information and recipes at our county fairs and health fairs. We share the twenty-nine lean cuts of beef, the My Plate dietary guidelines, the alternative U.S. beef cuts that include tri-tip and flat iron. We give the public information about the BOLD study which shows that lean beef can be good for heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol. We have data that shows that fresh beef is the number one source of protein, vitamin B-12 and zinc in the American diet. Changes in cattle breeding and fat trimming methods have resulted in increased availability of leaner beef. Today, more than two-thirds of beef sold at retail meet the government guidelines for lean. This information and research funded by beef checkoff dollars.

Last month the Beef Checkoff presented a Beef Story Webinar for consumers. This webinar provided an opportunity to learn more about beef nutrition, choices, safety, cattle care, and environmental impacts of beef. They also held a Heart Healthy Beef Twitter Party with information about BOLD.

All of these programs and the information we hand out are funded by checkoff dollars. Take a look at your grocer’s meat department and you will see some good news about beef – nutrition facts on the package or a nearby poster. The beef industry is proud to be a leader in providing consumers with beef nutrition information. Checkoff funded research proves that a nutrition labeling program increases consumer loyalty and meat sales.

Next time you prepare a Beef Cook off winning recipe, see the NM Beef Ambassador at an event, share with a friend or neighbor information about the BOLD research, give a demonstration at your local grocery store, or talk to the public at the State Fair remember that it was all because of the Beef Checkoff!

                          – Beverly Butler, NMCB President

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

• Oct. 1 – Membership Drive begins
• Oct. 15 – CowBelle of the Year Nominations Due
• Nov. 15 – Annual Reports due to President-Elect (50 copies) Volunteer Time Sheets due to President
• Dec. 6-9 – Joint Stockmen’s Meeting, NMCB Board of Directors & General Membership Meeting, Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid North
• Dec. 7 – NM CowBelles Board of Directors Meeting
• Dec. 8 – NM CowBelles General Membership/Awards/Officer Installation

 

The September 6 meeting of the Chamiza CowBelles was called to order by President Gloria Petersen at the Elephant Butte’s Ivory Tusk Restaurant with 13 members present. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved with one correction. The reason for charging group for a vendor booth at the Elephant Butte Days after this year is because other vendors felt they shouldn’t have to pay if CowBelles didn’t. However, no one is available to work this year’s Elephant Butte days, so the event is moot. Dolores gave the treasurer’s report and it was also approved. Michelle Shivers sent a transcript of her classes for this semester so Dolores was instructed to send the $500 scholarship check to NMSU. The bill for fair booth ($25) was sent to Jodell which she paid and will be reimbursed for. Jodell reported that there is a possibility that group will not be supplied with a table this year. Gloria volunteered to work all three days of the fair if other people would set up and take down the booth. Jodell, Susan, and Cathy volunteered to set up the booth and agreed to meet at the fairgrounds at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 11. Myra and Mel Tepper donated a large afghan for the Cowbelles to use as a raffle item. Several people turned in beef raffle ticket money and lots of Bullocks’ receipts. Thank you! There will be no meeting in October because of the County Fair. Submitted by Cathy Pierce

With nine members present, Lariat CowBelles met Sept. 5, at the Rabbit Ears Café. A thank you card was received from Lyn Greene for Lariat’s donation to help with the agriculture insert in the Albuquerque Journal – “A Centennial Celebration of NM Agriculture.” A thank you card was received from the Kimsey family for the donation to the Pat Nowlin Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of their son, David. A card of acknowledgement was received from Anne Ferguson for the memorial donation to the Pat Nowlin Memorial Scholarship Fund. The 4th of July pie sale was successful. Lyndi Owensby, daughter of Raymond and Kathy Owensby of Folsom, NM, is the 2012 winner of the Lariat Scholarship. Lyndi is a graduate of Des Moines High School and a junior at New Mexico State University, majoring in Animal Science. Mia Encinias won Mini Beef Showmanship at the Union County Fair. She received an engraved halter from Lariat CowBelles. The Mid-Year Board Meeting at Ruidoso was discussed. Jeff Witte was this year’s Man of the Year. The July meeting of ANCW in Denver was discussed. Kathryn Malcolm-Callis was recognized as 2012 Promoter of the Year. The presentation Serve Safe was given that describes the Food Safety process that should be followed before serving food from home, concession stands, etc. ANCW membership has diminished. They are considering changing their logo. The 2012 Educator of the Year was received by a California ANCW member. October dues for CowBelles should be paid on or before the October meeting. This year’s timesheets are due then also. Lariats will hostess the Extension meeting in Clayton on October 9, 10, and 11. Election of Lariat officers for Vice-President and Secretary are due by the November meeting. The terms are two years each. An article was circulated from Beef magazine “Addressing the Emotion of Animal Welfare.” The Annual 5 States Round-Up will be held September 26, at the Clayton Air Park. This year’s theme is Advocacy in Agriculture. Speakers will be Polly Rhuland from Cattlemen’s Beef Board; Tammi Didlot, President of ANCW and Oklahoma Cattlewomen; Dalene Hodnett, New Mexico CowBelles Secretary and Director of Communications and Media Relations, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau; and Marianne Rose, Masters of Beef Advocacy Alumnus, New Mexico CowBelles Historian and Lariat CowBelles Reporter and Historian. There will be a continental breakfast, a barbecue beef luncheon by Burt Ancell, a style show by Espy’s/3 West, a silent auction, and door prizes. Vendors will be Espy’s/3 West, Gladstone Mercantile, Mary’s Flowers, Stanley Home Products, and Mary Coffman. Booths may be set up on Tuesday, October 25 starting at 1:30 p.m. and must be in place by 8 a.m. October 26. Grab bag items in stapled paper bags and silent auction items must be at the air park by 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25; group needs 11 white twin bed flat sheets for curtains and set up help for 1:30 p.m. at the air park on that Tuesday. The next regular meeting of Lariat CowBelles, after the 5 States Round-Up, will be Wednesday, October 17, at Rabbit Ears Café. Respectfully submitted, Marianne Rose

The Otero CowBelles had their Sept. meeting in Tularosa with Tena Beanblossom hosting with four guests, Ellen Jessen, Joe Ben Sanders, Debbie Lewis, and Shawna Hillebrand in attendance. Joe Ben Sanders, local historian gave a talk on the early days of Otero County; he has written several books about the area and was an interesting speaker. Shawna became the first new member for 2013. Welcome, it is so very nice to have young women become Otero CowBelles and want to work for the betterment of the BEEF industry. Otero County will have a county display booth at the State Fair this year as a hard working group of CowBelles and others have gotten together to make the display and President Rupe and Estelle Bond will set up the display on the 11th and then help Madalynn Lee with the Beef Council booth on the 12th and 13th. The Otero CowBelles will donate a book to the library in Dell City in memory of deceased member, Virginia Brownfield. We will participate with the county extension clubs when they have their annual meeting October 20 by having a table there to showcase beef information. Work is continuing on health fairs, etc. The annual bazaar, to benefit the Boys’ and Girls’ Ranches will be held at Roma Duncan’s home in Tularosa November 1. Members are encouraged to bring at least two homemade (if possible) items to be auctioned off and to bring guests. Several members are making plans to attend the 5-States meeting in Clayton Sept. 26. It is always an informative and fun meeting. Submitted by Barbara Wagner, Sec.

The Chuckwagon CowBelles met on Patriot’s Day, September 11, 2012, in Mountainair with 13 members, one 2-year-old member, and one guest present with Toni Barrow presiding. It was decided to accept the minutes from the August meeting as mailed. The November meeting will be held on the FIRST Tuesday at Babbi’s house, which is Election Day. The group was reminded that September 18 and 19 are Chuckwagon’s State Fair days. The Pumpkin Patch in Rio Rancho on October 27 and 28 was mentioned, and Sharon King, NMCB President-elect, would very much appreciate any help with this booth. Vera Gibson announced the 4-H fundraiser on October 20. She would like for CowBelles to come and distribute information to the public. It will take place at the Ag Science Center in Los Lunas from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Christmas party is slated to be at Tierra del Sol in Belen and the October meeting will be at the Shaffer Hotel in Mountainair. The group decided to donate $50 to the Mountainair Friends of the NRA. Phyllis Hawley then introduced Berta Espinosa-Moore with the Torrance County Project Office (TCPO). Berta gave a program on the Home Visitation program at the Torrance County Project Office. She said she visits families to inform them about infant mental health and about programs and resources available to them. She emphasized the poverty in the Estancia area and said that her office accepts diapers, formula, and toy donations. Marilyn Mignery gave a brief history on the creation of the TCPO. She said it was conceived by the Extension Office to bring communication between the agencies. Berta said that the Home Visitation Program is about keeping the family healthy. There was discussion about the program serving undocumented or illegal aliens. There was also discussion about the need for this kind of program. There was discussion about young prison inmates who are pregnant and how this project can assist them. Respectfully submitted by Babbi Baker

The Powderhorn CowBelles met south of Newkirk in September. Mike Kull, President of The Ranches, gave an update on the ranch. He and his wife Nikki, have been with the Ranch for 42 years. He stated that the New Mexico CowBelles were supporters when the Ranch was started in 1944; they were there in 1952 when they almost declared bankruptcy because the founder was killed in a plane crash, and they have remained staunch supporters through all the years since. He expressed his deep appreciation. The present economy has affected The Ranches. They accept no government money, depend on the generosity of individuals and many organizations and businesses. They are impacted by the cost of myriad regulations, state and national. The closing of Girls’ Ranch in 2008 saved a million dollars a year and the sale of the Pippin Ranch in Clovis allowed the purchase of property and establishment of the newest program, Mountain View Ranch. They are in good financial shape, but their aim is to increase the efficiency of the operation and establish reliability for the long haul. At present they are in the process of developing 380 acres within the ranch boundaries for agricultural use and are fortunate to have a donor for this. The aim is to become as self-sufficient as possible and be able to withstand hard times which may be in the future. The boys and girls have been living together for two years and are as normal as any family. The school is self-contained and very successful. Mike said that a common misconception is that the children are juvenile delinquents, when the truth is that almost all are victims of a family in crisis. A good example is Mike Romero, Mary’s husband, who is at present the Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Ranches. At one time in the 60s he lived at the Ranch. Mike told us that he was the oldest of five children. He was twelve when his mother became very ill and he and a younger brother entered the ranch, later followed by the other three children. They were there until he was sixteen and they were able to be reunited with their mother. The ranch was much smaller then, about 50 boys, and they lived in three buildings, elementary, junior high and high school. In many ways it was primitive compared to now, but he remembers the loving care and guidance they received. During the business meeting, Powderhorn decided to participate in Winterfest this year, Karen Kelling, Sandy McKenna, Nancy Schade and Ellen Vaughan were appointed as a committee to work out details and report back to the members. Four members are planning to attend 5-States. The October meeting will be held at Abby Hofman’s home for the meeting and lunch and then will tour Mesa College in Tucumcari. Sandy McKenna had baked a delicious birthday cake with one candle for Dorothy Vaughan to blow out as group sang “Happy Birthday”. Dorothy Vaughan, 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 each month