President Pat Hunt called the meeting to order at noon on August 20. There were 10 people present, including prospective members Jennifer Taylor and Claudia Toenies. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Pat Hunt read the CowBelle Creed. Carol Crosley gave the prayer.
Minutes for the June meeting were approved and Treasurer’s Report will be submitted for audit.
Leslie Crumbley received a thank you letter from CCB Scholarship recipient Walter Woodward.
Michelle Greeman provided a NMCB update. She was a speaker at the ANCW meeting in San Diego CA, giving her presentation on the Value of a Volunteer. She enjoyed the experience and was able to make connections with other women involved in AG. She has been asked to speak again at the ANCW meeting in Reno in December. It is time to make nominations for CowBelle of the Year, so if you have ideas, please share them with her. A nominee is being sought for the position of NMCB Vice President.
The Extension Service Office is short-handed. With our county fair coming up soon, Carlie asked that we aid them in manning the 4-H Booth at the fair. A healthy discussion followed and it was noted that if we move our CCB Booth next to the 4-H Booth for this year, we would be able to cover both. Pat will be talking to Joni Miller to see if she would arrange that. We also learned that the Grant County 4-H Horse Judging Team won state competition. They, along with the Livestock Judging Team, will be proceeding to Nationals! Congratulations to these young people and thanks to Carlie for coaching them.
Mary Jo Hooker’s Memorial will be held at the Mimbres Roundup Lodge, Friday Sept 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm. We will be assisting with the meal that follows. Lori Nell Reed and JoAnn Miller will be spearheading the meal. Copper will make a $50 donation to the Pat Nowlin Scholarship Fund in her name.
Plans for our participation at the Grant County Fair were discussed. Rather than covering processing costs for the steer purchased by GCCG at the fair, as in the past, we considered providing burritos to feed the youth showing animals and their immediate family, as well as superintendents, judges, clerks and other workers on Wednesday. Misty Pugmire would be able to purchase all supplies needed to make 350 burritos at a group cost in the area of $650. Possibility of getting Cliff High School Home Ec Dept. to build the burritos was suggested. This would be a blessing to busy show families, as food vendors are not yet available on Wed. After much helpful discussion, Kim Clark made a motion that we purchase the supplies for the burritos.
We brainstormed new ideas for our outreach to the public at the fair. Rather than $150 of beef to give away, we considered rewarding a short quiz with jerky samples. Also gone is “Guess how many candies in the candy jar.” Instead, there will be an AG themed corn hole board with candy prizes and a big photo backdrop so that families can snap their own photos. Our name will be prominent on the photo backdrop. Pat will be checking with NM Beef Council for the jerky samples, or even seasoning rub giveaways.
Farm Bureau AG Day will be on Friday (9/20) on the slab. CCB will again do the brand presentation. A map of where AG Day stations can be found will be presented to school group leaders at the gate. Autumn Robertson is hoping to have presenters from USFS, NM Cattle Growers , Wool Growers and Cotton Growers among others. It sounds like things are shaping up nicely! Many volunteers will be needed as we are covering several locations, but we can do this!
Pat mentioned the need to appoint a nominating committee.
There was discussion on fund raisers and Claudia Toenies offered one of her beautiful handmade quilts to raffle off, proceeds to go to our CCB Scholarship Fund! We greatly appreciate your generous offer Claudia!
This meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm.
Our next meeting will be held on October 15, 2024
By; Carol Crosley
Dates to Remember:
Grant County Fair – Sept 18-22 (AG Day – Friday 9-20)
NM State CowBelles/NM Cattlegrowers Annual Meeting – Dec. 11-13th
Monthly NMCB Zoom Meetings: 2nd Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Grant County Copper CowBelles 