The meeting was called to order at noon by President Pat Hunt following a delicious lunch served by our hostesses, Lori Nell Reed and Mary Jo Hooker. Pat noted that this was National Agriculture Day! We recited the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag, read the CowBelles Creed and the prayer. There were 14 present, including former long-time member Nancy Thomas.
Michelle Greeman caught us up on the Legislative Session. Cyndi Donovan read a list of outcomes listed by Bill #. Some results were positive, but many were disappointing. Martin Heinrich is re-introducing his Wild & Scenic Bill. This is a threat to agriculture, the mining industry, and all of us in the Southwest.
The Scholarship Committee received a Pat Nowlin Scholarship application from Hattie Dobrinski, currently a senior at Calvary Christian Academy. She is a new member of CCB and will be pursuing an Agri-Business degree at Ft. Hays State University, Hays KS. It was agreed that we forward our recommendation that Hattie Dobrinski be considered for the Pat Nowlin Scholarship up to NMCB. A motion passed that we award Hattie Dobrinski a Copper CowBelles scholarship.
Copper CowBelles have been asked to make a presentation at the Silver City Museum’s “Community Conversations” on April 15th at the Silco Theater. Lauren Baker volunteered to handle this presentation and will give a short description of the history and current focus of CCB at this overview of clubs and organizations in Grant County.
McKeen Ranch Days in Alma is on April 25th and 26th. This is an important outreach to educate youth in the southern area about the importance of agriculture in all of our lives. Many volunteers are needed to present demonstrations or act as a guide for a class. Specifically, Margie requested that CCB do the Butter Demonstration again and a Beef By-products Presentation.
We discussed the needed work on our Copper CowBelles highway signs (the 180 west sign is completely gone). Further discussion was tabled until more information can be gathered.
The need for a fundraiser was discussed and lots of creative ideas were shared. We talked about doing an event on our own vs. joining with another organization. More information will be gathered and the discussion will be continued at our next meeting. Time is of the essence, however.
Grant County Copper CowBelles 