President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on August 19. There were 11 members present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag, the CowBelle Creed and read the prayer. Minutes for the June 17th meeting were approved. The Treasurer’s Report will be submitted for audit.
Trey Greeman sent a note thanking us for our CCB Scholarship! We wish him well!
Under “Dear to Our Heart,” Several local men have been ill. One with a serious infection and another with a snake bite. A camping group Cyndi was sitting with were nearly hit by a random lightning strike while out camping. God was faithful in all of these situations and we are very grateful!
The sign committee is making good progress attaining new CowBelle signs on Hwy 180 near Cliff and on SR90 near Tyrone. We were all encouraged to contact cattlemen, offering them opportunity to display their brand on our signs. The fee is $50 per brand and Kathy has sold 27 spots so far. Freeport-McMoRan Corp. is willing to provide us with a grant. This is an amazing opportunity for us and thanks to Kathy Davis and Misty Pugmire for their hard work on the project.
The Silver City Museum folks are grateful for our contributions of cakes for their 4th of July Ice Cream Social. We labeled our cakes with the CCB labels that Michelle Greeman provided and hopefully made some new friends!
Leslie Crumbley reminded us of the ongoing quilt raffle to support our Scholarship Fund. Sell your tickets ladies! The winners will be drawn at the Fair in September. Kathy Davis brought some neat (lightly used) western garment bags to be used for future scholarship fund raisers.
We discussed our plans for the Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair Sept. 17th – 21st. We will again occupy our corner location next to the Grant County Extension Office and will help cover their booth. All hands on deck with CCB Members needed! Please contact Pat Hunt and let her know when you can work. Lots of help is needed for Ag Days on Friday. CowBelles will present the Beef By-Products display and possibly Brands as well. We can distribute beef jerky, sell raffle tickets and license plates.
There was a discussion whether to provide burritos to livestock exhibitors and their families as we did last year. Some key members will not be in town on Wed. this year, which will leave us shorthanded. A decision was made to table the burrito distribution for this year. However, the Committee Chair (Pat Hunt) will make the final decision.
Anyone interested in helping with Happy Hour in the Ag Pavilion at the NM State Fair should contact Liz Roche at the Beef Council. Volunteers will receive free admission and parking pass. This is apparently quite a cool event highlighting NM Cattlegrowers, NM Wine Growers and of course NM CowBelles.
The NMCB will raise membership fees in 2026. We discussed whether or not to raise our own CCB dues this year. Our 2026 dues will remain at $40, which includes the State dues of $30.
NMCB is having a drive to sell Associate Memberships to businesses, etc. The CowBelle local selling the most memberships will receive $100 in merchandise credit (i.e. $100 worth of BEEF license plates or other merchandise.) The business joining CowBelles as an associate member will receive a certificate to display in their business and will receive news and updates.
It is time to nominate the New Mexico CowBelle of the Year! It is also time to speak up if you are interested in serving in a state office!
Michelle Greeman demonstrated how to download the new Team Reach APP to help us all receive info updates and stay in better touch. Michelle will probably assist you if you encounter any problems!
Meeting adjourned at 1:25 pm.
Thank you to our creative hostesses, Pat Hunt and Kim Clark! The Dolly Parton theme was fun and very sparkly! The cookies were great!
By Carol Crosley
DATES TO REMEMBER:
NM Beef Council Meeting during the NM State Fair – Sept 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th
Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair – Sept. 17th thru 21st (Ag Day – Fri. Sept 19th)
NMCB Associate Membership Drive – Now thru October 1st.
YOUR COWBELLE DUES ARE DUE OCTOBER 1ST
State CowBelle of the Year Award Nominees Due – October 15th
Grant County Copper CowBelles 