Mijares Wins NMCGA YouTube Contest

A video telling the story of agriculture by Sage Mijares, Cañon, was recently chosen as winner of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association (NMCGA) YouTube contest.  The video can be accessed at www.YouTube.com.

“We are so glad to have young people like Sage interested and active in our industry, and want to congratulate her on a job well done,” said Bert Ancell, NMCGA President, Las Vegas.

Mijares, who received a $500 prize for her winning video, is in the eighth grade at Jemez Valley Middle School, and is active in 4-H, church, and school activities.  She raises raises and sells goats, participates in horse and rodeo events, and serves as an officer in her local 4-H club.  In addition, she plays violin and plays viola in a string quartet.  Her father is the ranch foreman at the Valles Caldera National Preserve, which gives the family the opportunity to work alongside him on one of New Mexico’s largest historic ranches.  Mijares’ future plans include becoming a large animal veterinarian.

Contest participants were asked to submit a video describing the New Mexico ranching industry and ranchers’ stewardship role.  Suggested themes included ranchers’ role in feeding the world, caring for the environment, caring for livestock and animal welfare, and food safety.  Entries were accepted from New Mexico youth aged 13 to 19 years old.  The first place video received $500 and was posted on YouTube.  Second place received $300, and third place received $100.

The NMCGA has represented the beef industry in New Mexico and the West since 1914 and has members in all 33 of the state’s counties as well as some 14 other states. The Association participates in venues necessary to protect beef producers and private property rights including litigation, state and federal legislation and regulatory affairs.