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. 11-13^th

Monthly NMCB Zoom Meetings: 2^nd Thursdays at 7:00 pm

 

 

                                    

 

Our meeting was called to order at noon on May 21 by President Pat Hunt with the CowBelle Creed and prayer. There were 9 members present.  

Pat was in receipt of correspondence from Kim Allen, who was winning bidder on our beautiful table centerpiece at the ANCW dinner.  Kim’s note of appreciation for the centerpiece, also included a generous donation of in honor of her mother, Bobbie Neal Little. After discussion, Joan Dewbre made a motion that we deposit this money to our Scholarship Fund.  A thank you card will be sent to Kim Allen for this generous donation.   

The “Dear to Our Heart” report included heavy news this month.  We learned that past member Jan Traynor had passed.  After a discussion, Leslie Crumbley made a motion that we make a donation to the Pat Nowlin Scholarship Fund in honor of Jan.  Georgette Strain seconded the motion, all present agreed and the motion passed.

Pat also received a letter from Vonda Frost, thanking us for our donations to help cover costs of the ANCW Meeting in Las Cruces last month.  They were appreciated.

 

Leslie Crumbley received a scholarship application from recent high school graduate Walter Woodward.  Walter plans to attend Electrical Lineman School in Georgia in September.  We discussed the importance of trade schools and Leslie Crumbley made a motion that we award a CCB Scholarship to Walter.  Our congratulations to Walter Woodward!

We talked about the recent ANCW Meeting in Las Cruces.  All agreed that it was educational and a lot of fun.   We enjoyed all the presentations, with favorites being the Virtual Fencing, NMSU Packing Facility and the presentation on Beef Nutrition.  We appreciate all the work put into creating such a valuable event. Well done ladies!

There will be a “Celebration of the Gila” gathering in Gough Park on June 1^st in conjunction with the 100^th Anniversary of the Gila Wilderness. We’ve been asked to assist the Frisco CowBelles in manning an information table in the park that day from 1pm to 4pm.  We’ll be sharing Aldo Leopold’s vision on the importance of farmers and ranchers in managing the forest.

We discussed making a donation to the Southwest Horseman’s Youth Rodeo Assn. Joan Dewbre made a motion that we donate toward their 2024 awards.

Pat announced she has the door prize for the meeting and an item for the silent auction at the Mid-Year State Cattleman’s/CowBelle meeting on June 10^th.  Members can sign up on the NM CowBelles website.  Meetings begin at 8:00am.  

Grant County Fair dates this year are Sept 18–22, 2024.  Pat recognized the need for a committee to plan a revamp of our CowBelles Booth set up and fresh ideas to draw in and educate the public.

The Border Belles would be open and willing to go in with Copper CowBelles on fund raising ventures. 

Also, congratulations to Misty Pugmire’s daughter-in-law who recently won the Challenger Division of the World Champion Women’s Team Roping Competition in Texas! Misty got to attend and it was an exciting experience!

We were treated to a wine making presentation by Leslie Crumbley! She demonstrated the process right before our eyes and a finished bottle of her personal label wine was given as a door prize!

Thank you to our hostesses Leslie Crumbley and Georgette Strain, who treated us to sweets presented in a patriotic theme!     

Dates to remember:

NM State CowBelles Mid-Year Meeting, June 10, 2024 at 8am.

Monthly State CB Zoom meetings: 2^nd Thursday at 7pm.

Next meeting: June 18^th, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

                     

President Pat Hunt called the June 18 meeting to order at noon. There were 8 members present. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance, CowBelle Creed and a prayer.   

Dear to Our Hearts:  Cards were sent to Joyce Biebelle and past member Deborah van Tellingen.

There will be a Memorial Service for Linda and Harry Pecotte on June 29 at 10am at the Masonic Cemetery. 

Continue to keep Mary Jo Hooker in our thoughts and prayers.

NMCB: Michelle gave an update on the Mid-Year Meeting, reporting very good attendance.  Congratulations to the new Beef Ambassadors: Elia Encinas and Natalie Smith. These young ladies are “knocking it out of the park” sharing information about New Mexico Beef all around the state (including AG Day at Isotopes Park!) We were given a copy of NM Legislative Scorecard for our use in preparing to vote, reviewing which representatives do not support AG on various issues.  Michelle will be a speaker at the ANCW meeting in San Diego on July 7-9^th.  We were reminded of our next NMCB zoom meeting on 7/11. The Annual Joint Meeting will be held in Albuquerque December 11^th – 13^th, with the NMCB Meeting on December 12^th.

 

New Business: The Silver City Museum put out a request for cakes to supply their Cake Walk at the 4^th of July Ice Cream Social.  Cakes should be labeled with type, donor and a label showing that Copper CowBelles are supporting the Ag Economy that provides beef for Grant County.    

 

A CCB Fair Booth planning meeting will be held July 9^th at 10am.  We will be seeking fresh ways to put out our message that New Mexico Beef is great! Lots of clever ideas were discussed and will be further considered at the meeting.  All interested members are welcome to attend this meeting!

 

Old business: The Gila Wilderness Centennial Celebration in Gough Park on June 1^st went well.  Pat, Leslie, Kathy and Carol were able to man the booth and hopefully helped folks to understand that Aldo Leopold’s plan for the wilderness included good management by farmers and ranchers.

CCB Sign Overhaul was discussed and will be addressed again after fair, when things quiet down.

Our next CCB Meeting will be on August 20, 2024.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Grant County Fair, September 18^th thru 22^nd

NM State CowBelles/Cattlegrowers Annual Mtg., Dec. 11^th thru 13th

Monthly State CB Zoom Meeting: 2^nd Thursdays at 7pm

 

 

 

Walter Woodward has been selected as the Grant County Copper CowBelle’s 2024 scholarship winner.

Walter had this to say on his scholarship application, “My grandmother, who was a proud member of the Copper CowBelles for many years until her passing, instilled in me the values of service, dedication, and community involvement. Her legacy continues to inspre me to pursue opportunities to mak a meaningful difference in the lives of those around me.”

The Copper CowBelles wish Walter much success on his vocational journey.

The Copper CowBelles are assisting at Alma Ranch Days. This annual event educates area 3-5th grade students about agriculture.

Post event note from our President:

I want to let you know how proud I am of our members that helped with McKeen Ranch Days! We showed up and we did a wonderful job teaching 600 students and adults about AGRICULTURE! Thank you: Julie Mehan, Michelle, Ethan and Gage Greeman, Carol Crosley, Joan Dewbre, Cyndi and JD Donovan, Kathy Davis, Alena and Kurstyn Johnson and Leslie Crumbley (and Pat and Dusty too). So Proud!

Members of the Grant County Copper CowBelles are attending the ANCW Region VI meeting in Las Cruces. Our member Michelle Greeman is the 2024 President for the New Mexico CowBelles. We are proud of her leadership.

Also pictured is our door prize donation filled with items donated by members.

The March 19 meeting was called to order by President Pat Hunt with the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag, followed by the reading of our CowBelle Creed. Carol Crosley led us in prayer.  There were 14 present, including visitors Carolyn Nelson and Martha Stewart of Frisco CowBelles. 

Pat was in receipt of personal thank you notes from youth involved in SHJRA.  Many included photos of them with their horses and we all had opportunity to enjoy them.

Dear to Our Hearts report included info on Joan Woodward’s memorial celebration on April 5^th at 1 p.m. at Terrazas.  A lunch at Grant Co. Convention Center will follow the services.  We will also keep former CCB President Deborah van Tellingen in our prayers as she battles breast cancer.

We are accepting donated items to fill our next Scholarship Raffle Basket.  It is already looking like fun and ticket sales will continue until after the Grant County Fair.

Registration is still open for ANCW Region VI meeting April 11-12.  Don’t miss this wonderful event.  Michelle is looking for donated door prizes and there is still a need for centerpiece items that highlight the many facets of Grant County NM.  Any overflow can be added to our Scholarship Raffle Basket.

NMCB is still accepting donations for the Panhandle Fire Relief fund, to aid those folks who have suffered huge losses. $7,200 has been raised, statewide, for this important need. 

The Mid-Year meeting will be on Monday June 10 and Beef Ambassadors interviews will be held on June 9.

Carolyn Nelson and Martha Stewart of Frisco CowBelles shared about the upcoming Gila Wilderness Centennial celebration in Gough Park on June 1^st @ 11am – 4pm.

They’re using this opportunity to show the public that Aldo Leopold was very much pro use of the land by ranchers and will demonstrate how ranchers currently protect the land in ways that reflect Leopold’s vision. They need volunteer help in the booth on that day.  They are also accepting donations toward a plaque that will be permanently installed at the Aldo Leopold Rest Area, overlooking the Mogollon mountains.

We discussed making a donation to local FFA Clubs.

Alma Ranch Days are quickly approaching on April 23-24^th.  Copper CowBelles will present 2 displays: Butter and Beef By-products.  A good number of us will be there to assist with this successful outreach to the youth from several counties.

Thank you to our hostesses Cyndi Donovan and Kathy Davis, who created a spring theme.  Our next meeting will be Tuesday May 21, 2024.

By Carol Crosley

Next CCB Meeting – May 21, 2024

The meeting was called to order at noon on February 20th by President Pat Hunt. We recited the Pledge of
Allegiance, creed and prayer. There were 16 people present, including guests Amanda Owens and five students representing the Grant County 4-H Council.

Pat introduced our guest, Amanda Owens, who represents the “I CAN” program at the Extension Office. Her position is funded by USDA and SNAP, with the goal of reaching students and adults with ideas to promote healthy eating. She shared some of her experiences in the classroom, teaching kids about the five food groups and to be open minded about foods they haven’t met before. We appreciate her work in our community.

Pat received a thank you note from the Extension Office thanking those CowBelles who were present to greet the NMSU Prevost who visited recently. Kathy Davis, Pat Hunt and Cyndi Donovan were able to attend.

Regarding “Dear to our hearts,” we received news that Linda Davis of Cimarron had passed away recently. She was well loved and respected and we will keep her family in our prayers. Also we noted that Owaissa Heimann, of Union County, celebrated her 98th birthday. She served as the NM CowBelles Treasurer for many years.

Michelle Greeman reported on how things went at the State Legislative Session. Grim in some areas concerning 2nd Amendment rights but the State Meat Inspection Act did pass. She praised the Call to Action program that allows us all to see when our attention is needed and makes it simple for us to respond.

Pat Hunt reported that the CowBelle Yearbook is nearing completion and we need to make any necessary corrections as soon as possible.

The ANCW Region 6 Conference will be held April 11th and 12th in Las Cruces and registration forms are on line at http://www.newmexicocowbelles.org. NMCB has asked each CowBelle local to provide items. We are excited to know that the meeting will be attended by women from all over the western US and we will be giving them a glimpse of our wonderful state.

Ranch Days will be held in April at the McKeen Ranch in Alma. CCB will be preparing 2 stations at the event: Butter Making and Beef By-Products (or Brands.) Volunteers are definitely needed! Please contact Pat if you are willing to help either day (or both days.)

We are starting a new Scholarship Basket to be raffled off after the Fair. Please bring in items to fill it up. Last year our basket made enough to provide 1 scholarship!

Next meeting will be on March 19th. This meeting was hosted by Joan Dewbre and Carol Crosley with a Mardi Gras theme.

Respectfully submitted by Carol Crosley

The Copper CowBelles installed our 2024 officers at a dinner meeting last Friday! Thank you for your commitment to service to Cyndi Donovan as Treasurer, Carol Crosley as Secretary, Leslie Crumbly as Vice President and Pat Hunt as President.