For those of you that called legislators or traveled to Santa Fe, thank you! We got news that the Right to Farm Bill passed off the Senate and House Floors without he amendments sought by the Animal Rights groups. The Depredation Payment Bill passed out of House Ag, Water & Wildlife, but the grim budget outlook will more than likely keep it from going any further.
Bill Montoya and Bob Ricklefs were confirmed by the Senate to continue serving on the Game Commission. The Game Commission took a beating because they stood up for common sense and voted as such. If you run into a Game Commissioner please take the time to tell them thank you and that you appreciate all they are doing for New Mexico Agriculture. The phone calls made and emails sent to legislators are making an impact and I know Caren Cowan and NMCGA President Pat Boone really do appreciate all the help.
Ag Fest was a success. President Elect, Tana Garnett set up a great booth along with Casey Spradley and Beef Ambassadors. NM Beef Council provided some amazing beef rub samples as well as nutritional information and Beef recipes.
NM State CowBelles will be gearing up soon to travel in New Mexico for District workshops. We start off in Roy on March 14, then on to Corona, Artesia and finally ending up in Las Cruces. We will be bringing lots of information and our inventory of knives and some new items for sale. We look forward to seeing everyone in March.
As the weather warms up and the school semester comes to an end, NMSU will be gearing up for Ranch Camp. I would like to encourage all locals to seek out someone to apply for this wonderful opportunity and consider sponsoring them. The opportunities offered at Ranch Camp will impact those that attend and the experience and knowledge gained will last a lifetime. Camp is set for June 5-10 and application online will be available March 1. For more information go to our web page: www.newmexicocowbelles.org or www.nmyrm.nmsu.edu.
Thank you again for all that participated in the legislative process this year. Stay tuned throughout the year as there is always an opportunity to get involved, tell your story and make an impact for Agriculture.
Anita Hand
President, NM Cowbelles
Datil, New Mexico ▫
T
he Grant County Copper CowBelles met in January. President Kim Clark remarked that in keeping with her “keep it simple” plan for 2016, the group will only meet in January, March, April, June, August and October and a Christmas Party/Officer installation event in December. The group will participate in the Home and Garden Expo, the Grant County Fair and host the annual dinner/dance Shindig. Any other events will need a sponsoring chair to shoulder responsibility and a June is Beef Month project is already spoken for. JoAnn Miller is continuing with the cookbook project. The Executive Board will meet on February 8 to start the Shindig planning, the “Fiesta de Mayo” is scheduled for April 30 with the Yarbrough Band to play. Members were encouraged to volunteer for McKeen Ranch Days, April 19 and 20 and to attend the District III meeting in March and the ANCW Region VI meeting April 29 and 30, 2016. Submitted by Pat Hunt
Corriente CowBelles met January 20, 2016. Membership – Please pay dues and remind other not present. Treasurer – Cheryl gave bank balance and report was filed for audit. Cheryl waiting for a debit card. Minutes – were accepted as read. Correspondence – The Hubbard Grant not received; card from Sawyer Ward from a card her mother received from CowBelles in a previous year; thank you cards read from: Grady Le Ivins for Cream of the Crop donation; Kim Stone for past president award bracelet; Kalyn Hazen for scholarship with list of classes enrolled in along with grades. Jr. CowBelles-Jenna Cleckler helped the youth Maggie, Grady, Ryleigh, Pratt, Jayden make beef by-product poster and practice part 1 of the beef skit. Cookbook Committee – submit recipes online. The committee will ask Herb Brunell, Gary Cozzens, and Julie Carter for photos. Quilt Committee – work after meeting. Cowbelle/Cattleman of the Year – rubric for scoring to match the state rubric was developed. Officer training retreat to be planned. ANCW Region VI – meeting April 29-May1 in Las Cruces. Scholarship Committee – Cheryl and Sharon. February 17 meeting – Oso Grill, Junior CowBelles will not be meeting. March 16 – CWC Junior Cowbelles hosting; April 20 – Cheryl and Martha hosting; Submitted by Sharon Young, Secretary
January, 2016, meeting of the Powderhorn Cattlewomen was held at the DeBaca Extension office with 17 members present and two guests. The 2016 officers were the hostesses: Kelsey McCollum, President; Kari Henry, V.P.; Joan Key, Secretary; and Carol Church, Treasurer. Budget was presented and approved. New committee chairmen were announced and Carol presented a list of members who had not paid dues. Several took those names to call and persuade them to pay their dues. The group held a Planning and Brainstorming Session on issues to address in 2016. Currently the group is focusing on Kids, Kows and More, Ag Day in De Baca County, teaming up with Young Farmers/Ranchers in Legislature endeavor and advertising on billboards/sign. Other suggestions will be furthered reviewed. Cards of encouragement were sent to several members. Note from editor: December submission was published as Powderhorn CowBelles last month, I apologize and am running it again under the correct title: From the Powderhorn Cattlewomen December 2015 meeting a Christmas party was held at the home of Nick and Karen Cortese. In attendance were 17 members plus husbands and children. Nick grilled steaks and members brought side dishes. A round robin Christmas ornament gift exchange took place – participants could steal one from someone else and they had to find another one. Lots of laughter and good fellowship! The group looks forward to promoting beef in 2016. Submitted by Joan Key Secretary
Mesilla Valley CowBelles met February 15, 2016 at Cracker Barrel Restaurant with five members present. Dues: please pay $25 as soon as possible to Janet Witte. District Workshop: MVCB hosting Thursday, March 17, 2016 at the Fort Selden Community Center. Set up evening of March 16. Flyer has been sent out. Registration is due March 3 to Janet (can pay at the door yet, please RSVP). Lunch catered by Cha Chi’s Restaurant. Dessert cupcakes by Shawnna Tarpley. Breakfast will be served as well. Mary Esther Grider will take care of the decorations. LCPS Calendar Art Contest: Traci Curry sending out the flyers in April. Contest dates are April 4-29, 2016. Judging will be the first week of May. Traci is needing more information pertaining to Beef. There will be two spots on the calendar for Kindergarten and 1st grade entries, the remaining 10 slots will be for the older grades: Agriculture for Aggie Careers, a possible theme. 2016 ANCW Region VI Meeting: NMCB Past President Dalene Hodnett is the chair; meeting to be held in Las Cruces. Refer to the NMCB Web site for information and registration. New Mexico Beef Ambassador Contest: applications are due March 10, 2016. The contest will be held in conjunction with the NM State FFA Judging Contest on Friday, April 8, 2016, at NMSU. If able to help, please let Gretchen know. NMCB Man of the Year Nominations: due March 15, 2016. Next meeting: decorate for district workshop on March 16. Submitted by Gretchen Lindsay
The meeting of the Chuckwagon CowBelles was held on February 9, 2016 – Mountainair Christian Center. Bucket for “Horses for Heroes” collected $62. The minutes of January 12, 2016 as corrected were approved. Treasurer report presented/filed for audit. President Lyn gave report on Annual ANCW General Membership Meeting. Fita Witte was awarded with American National CattleWoman of the Year. Letter read from Horses for Heroes thanking group for donation. Various ideas and locations were discussed for meeting dates in the upcoming year. Group decided to support District 3 FFA Officer with bucket money. District Workshops – District I March 15 at Corona Range & Livestock Research Center. RSVP and $25 payment should be made out to: “Crown CowBelles” before March 5. Send to Leanne Hutcheson, PO Box 116, Corona, NM 88318, phone: 575/849-1122, hutchesonleanne@yahoo.com ANCW Region VI Meeting – Las Cruces, NM – April 29 & 30; registration form in the Wrangler. Donations encouraged from ranches or businesses. The group will donate $100 to support this ANCW meeting. Schedules are available (call the Secretary – Welda). NMCB Website changed to NewMexicoCowBelles.org. NMCB Man of the Year nomination was made by President Lyn Greene who will send nomination to the State Chair. The deadline for the Pat Nowlin Scholarship is April 15 to Anne Ferguson. Application is on the website. March 10 – NM Beef Ambassador Applications due to Chair Shelly Hathorn. Decisions made: to authorize Vera and Carolyn to purchase embroidered tablecloth for booths with a $300 limit; to donate $30 to the churches group; to give $100 to the (Home Ec) 4-H Beef School. Meeting adjourned at 12:06. Program: Card making with Danielle Berrien, Torrance County Extension Home Economist. Next Meeting March 8 – Mountainair Christian Center – Potluck. Welda McKinley Grider
Chamiza CowBelles met February meeting was called to order at 11:05 by President Nancy Phelps with 14 members present. Minutes were approved as read. Treasurer’s report was given and filed for audit. Nancy passed around a card for all to sign to thank Ellie Nordgren for picking up the tab for December meeting lunches and volunteer sheets so members could update them during the meeting. Brand sales going well. It was decided to have bound edges on new throw blankets and have 2016 woven onto the throws. An email was received by a member for a prayer vigil and memorial for Robert Lavoy Finicum, February 6. Mr Finicum lost his life in the land dispute battle up in Oregon recently. District Meeting near Las Cruces in the Ft. Seldon/Radium Springs Community Center on March 17. Cost is $25 per person which includes lunch and breakfast. Anyone interested in attending should contact Nancy by the end of February. Reservations need to be made no later than March 3 and pay at the door. The local will reimburse the cost of gas for whomever drives for the attendees. Kelsie suggested any or all volunteer once a week at the elementary and/or middle schools for even 10 to 15 minutes to explain to the children the many uses of a cow besides the beef it provides. The teach ers need to include you in their lesson plans a week in advance. This is an excellent way to educate our young people. Ag Day is scheduled for April 15; need volunteers to help with distributing lunches. Prior to meeting, three new members enrolled and received three prior members’ dues renewals. Welcome to new members: Kelsie Cochran, Kristie Hawkins, and Betty Welty. Meeting adjourned at 11:55. Kelsie won the door prize, and all enjoyed a delicious potluck lunch. Thank you, Nancy, for hosting this meeting. Submitted by Cathy Pierce
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 the 14th of each month ▫