President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon. There were eleven members present as we recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the CowBelle Creed together.  Julie Mehan read the prayer. Cyndi Donovan and Julie Mehan were our hostesses.

March minutes were distributed electronically for our review.  Treasurer’s Report and it will be submitted for audit. Misty is moving to Arizona and we will address finding a replacement Treasurer at out next meeting.

Discussion about Ranch Days. Our members were visible and actively involved and everyone enjoyed the event. Over 600 students were educated as to how agriculture affects their daily lives and we fed them a hearty beef lunch.  The event was a great success and we will commit to helping again next year. The venue may change.

Five of our members were able to attend the District Workshop in Socorro on May 8^th and 9^th.  It was an  educational event covering many different issues related to ranching, including Ag Accounting Services, planning aids (the Nok Box) for passing your ranch on to your children, the RADAR program that helps with range assessment and even a training on mental health awareness.

We learned that NMWRII addresses water resilience and that 9 million dollars are available to ranchers for water related assistance such as tanks, etc.

Kathy Davis reported that they are coming along with plans for updating our CowBelle signs on US180. She will be presenting bids. The brands and incoming funds are ready to go.

 We were reminded of our monthly state ZOOM meetings on the 2^nd Thursday. 

Our new Scholarship Basket to be raffled off is really beautiful! Tickets are $1 each, or 6 for $5.

We talked about the importance of helping our nearby CowBelle locals to grow and maybe a social get together soon. Also NMCB are looking for new officers, as well as associate members. 

The Mid Year Meeting will be held in Ruidoso on June 7^th thru 9^th. The CowBelle meeting will be on Friday, June 8^th at 8:00 a.m.  The luncheon is free, but be sure to register on line for this event at nmcowbelles.org!

The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

By Carol Crosley

Dates to Remember:

Mid-Year Meeting:  June 7^th, 8^th and 9^th in Ruidoso NM. Register on line at NMCowBelles.org

NMCB Zooom Meeting – Thursday June 11^th at 7pm. 

Next Copper CowBelles Meeting: Tuesday June 16^th at 11:30 – Grant County Extension Office

Meeting of Copper CowBelles for March 17, 2026

When we arrived for this meeting, Lori Nell Reed greeted us with a lovely meal of slider sandwiches, fresh fruit/cheese trays and yummy Rice Krispy treats! The spring décor was festive and we all felt we must be Irish to be so lucky today! Thank you so very much, Lori Nell! We were blessed. 

President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon with 11 members present. Alena’s handsome sons were also present, boosting our total to 13.   We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the CowBelle Creed. Lori Nell Reed read the prayer.

Minutes from our February 17th meeting had been distributed electronically for all to review. Minutes approved.

Treasurer report submitted. Misty is resigning from her Treasurer position as of July 1st due to her move to Arizona. Her shoes will be tough to fill, as she has been doing an amazing job.

Leslie Crumbley shared a thank you note from Brennan Shock. He is grateful for our scholarship support as he begins his studies for a career in the field of HVAC. He will make us proud as he serves Grant County!

Pat Hunt had a visit with Tom Shelley, who stated that the Federal Wildlife Depredation Contract will be discussed at the Grant County Commissioners Meeting in June. Hopefully many ranchers and AG interested folks will attend.

Michelle Greeman told us that FFA Alumni Assoc. is hosting a pie auction fundraiser on April 17th. She also let us know about the Food Preservation classes at the Extension Office once a month.

Kathy Davis reported that Heritage Waters is still alive and well, fighting for our precious water rights. Martin Heinrich seems driven to control them and continues to pursue a route to get what he wants. We were encouraged to join Heritage Waters and support this fight. Kathy also encouraged us to take our AG related issues to our representatives NOW. USFS and BLM may be more open to our needs now, rather than later.  Yvette Harrell is another good ear. We were reminded that our phone calls, letters and txt messages REALLY DO HELP.

Michelle Greeman has sent out a survey, looking for our feedback in regard to how to make our meetings more doable for the most members. The results will help us to build our own membership and also to better engage with and encourage struggling locals.   

CowBelle District Meeting will be held May 8th and 9th in Socorro. This will be a statewide activity this time with lots of educational opportunity and social interaction.

The Mid Year Meeting is again happening in Ruidoso, June 7th thru 9th, with our CowBelle Meeting on June 8th. The Beef Ambassador interviews will take place then, so please alert any young people who may be interested in trying out. Check the newmexicocowbelles.org website for more information.

Kathy Davis has received 4 new brands to be added to the new CowBelle signs on US180. She has also contacted a welding business who is interested in bidding on the project when we are ready.

McKeen Ranch Days is planned for April 28th and 29th. This may be the last time this event will be held on the beautiful McKeen Ranch, as the family have it listed for sale. Margie McKeen wants to enable this event to touch the lives of as many school children as possible THIS YEAR. If you know of any home school groups or teachers who may bring their students, please contact Margie. Let’s all be a part of making this “last hurrah” reachable to as many children as possible.  The Frisco Belles are making plans to continue this Agriculture experience at some other location in the future. Contact Pat Hunt or Michelle Greeman to sign up.

We will assemble another CCB Scholarship Gift Basket to raffle off at a future date. This basket could possibly provide funding for one scholarship and is well worth the work! Bring your additions to our next meeting or gathering. Then we need to get busy selling tickets. 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.  (Next CowBelle Meeting is Tuesday, May 19th, 2026)

By Carol Crosley


UPCOMING EVENTS:  RANCH DAYS – April 28th & 29th at McKeen Ranch in Alma NM
                                        ZOOM MEETING – Tuesday April 14th at 7:00 p.m. 
                                        DISTRICT MEETING – May 8th & 9th in Socorro
                                        MID YEAR MEETING – June 7th thru 9th (CowBelle June 8th ) in Ruidoso

President Cyndi Donovan called the February 17 meeting to order at noon. Joan Dewbre and Carol Crosley decorated with a Mardi Gras theme and cookies for all. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the CowBelle Creed as a group and Carol Crosley brought the prayer.

Minutes for the meeting of January 20th had been distributed. No Treasurer’s report. Funds for 20 memberships sent to NMCB.

Under “Dear to Our Hearts” we learned that several families had a death or illness. We will keep these folks in our prayers.

Kathy Davis has received no new brand applications for the CowBelle signs on US180 since our last meeting. She is looking for more committee members to help with the project.

Michelle Greeman updated us on NMCB. The next state Zoom Meeting is on March 12th at 7pm. Brittany Lardner is the new editor of The Wrangler. Michelle will be putting out the survey for members, looking for meeting times that would possibly allow more members to attend. Plans are under way for a NMCB District Meeting in May and the Extension Office will be involved as well. The Mid Year Meeting will be held in Ruidoso NM June 7th through 9th, with the CowBelle meeting scheduled for June 8th!

Copper awarded a scholarship to Brennan Shock, who plans to attend NMSU. He is seeking a career in HVAC installation and repair. Congratulation Brennan!

Cyndi Donovan suggested a committee to head up outreach to our sister locals, especially Frisco Belles, Border Belles and Tabosa Belles.  We would all benefit from getting to know and encourage each other. More to come soon.

McKeen Ranch Days will happen again this year on April 28th and 29th! CCB members will again provide the popular chuck wagon and butter making demos.  Let’s fully support this event with our time.  So worthwhile!

The Extension is providing some great learning opportunities: calving workshop and canning classes are in the works. The monthly Food Preservation Class is a huge hit but space is limited, so be sure to sign up in advance. Cost for the Food Preservation Class is $25 and reportedly well worth it! Master Canner Josey Ross teaches it. Next class is Monday Feb 23rd. To sign up, call 388-1559 for the Extension Office.

The family of former Copper CowBelle Carol Baumgartner (who passed away some time back) has offering some of their artwork collection to us for use as a fundraiser. Our thanks to them for this sweet donation in Carol’s honor.

By Carol Crosley


UPCOMING EVENTS:
NMCB Zoom Meeting – Thursday Mar 12  @ 7pm
               Ranch Days – April 28 – 29th
                        Mid-Year Meeting – In Ruidoso, June 7th thru 9th