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
 

President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on June 17, 2025.  There were 13 members present and two guests.  We recited the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag the CowBelle Creed and Julie read the prayer with an additional request for rain.  

Pat and Kathy updated with Dear to our Hearts news.

Cyndi and Michelle attended the Mid-Year meeting in Ruidoso and reported that the State CowBelles dues will be increasing.  Associate Memberships will be promoted this year.  This program was once very strong and has lapsed in recent years.  There is a new “Hank the Cowdog” Activity book that will become available to promote around our state.  It is a program designed to assist teachers in explaining agriculture and ranch life. 

The Silver City Museum has contacted us again this year to donate cakes for their 4^th of July events.

A committee of Kathy, Misty, and JoAnn met and made good progress on the plans for the highway signs.  Misty has applied for a Freeport McMoRan to help us with building and installation.  The oldest sign on Highway 90 has finally broken down and a new one will also have to be designed.

Leslie presented a scholarship application from Trey Greeman who is now a sophomore at NMSU.  A motion approved for a $500 award to Trey.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:20 pm. Thank you to Hostess Lori Nell who did a patriotic decorating theme and brought a delicious fruit salad as well as door prizes.

By Patricia Hunt

Next Meeting is August 19^th as there is no meeting in July

Dates to remember:  Cliff/Gila Grant County Fair:  September 17^th – 20th   

The Grant County Copper Cowbelles are pleased to announce they have awarded two scholarships. Joseph Colter Massingill received a trade scholarship to attend Western Welding Academy in Gillette, Wyoming and Trey Greeman received an academic scholarship to continue his studies at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM.

Joseph is a 2025 graduate of Silver High School and plans on pursuing a job in pipeline welding in the oil and gas industry. He also feels that welding is a useful skill in life, and he hopes to one day start his own construction company and give back to his community.

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CowBelles is a non-profit organization whose purpose is providing educational information about the beef industry and preserving the heritage of the West. We offer these scholarships to encourage the continuation of our western heritage in all areas of agriculture and rural life.

President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on May 20 with 11 members in attendance today! We recited the Pledge of Alliegance, the CowBelle Creed, and a prayer was given.

Minutes and Treasurer’s report were reviewed.

Misty presented a financial review of hosting the NMCB District meeting.

Michelle spoke with Shirley Franks, who is doing well. 

We were treated to a zoom presentation on Agriculture Issues by Cliff FFA students in preparation for their State competition. They discussed effects of wildfires on our forests and ranch land.

Sadly, a section of our CowBelle sign on SR90 near White Signal blew down during high winds recently. Kathy was already working on a possible layout for the new sign, including 16”X16” or 12”X12” squares to display brands.  Kathy will need more member help in pulling this together and we will all be tasked with selling spots on the sign to producers in Grant County. Misty is willing to write a grant that would help us fund repairs and replacement. 

Leslie received a completed scholarship application from Joseph Colter Massengill. He graduates from Silver High next week and will begin welding school in Wyoming.  Lori Nell made a motion that we grant Colter a Trade School Scholarship.

Pat learned that Silver City Library has a new large format scanner and would like to digitize our CCB records for history!  A motion was approved to allow the Silver City Library to digitize our records and scrapbooks.

The New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture will be running a campaign to nominate women who have been important to agriculture in our state. The woman chosen will be honored in 2026. 

NMSU President, Dr. Valerie Ferme, to visit  our County Extension office at the end of June.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Our hostesses were Leslie and Jennifer, their Summer decorations were enhanced by great treats!

Submitted by Carol Crosley

Dates to Remember:

Next CowBelle Meeting – Tuesday, June 17^th, 2025

Mid-Year Meeting – June 2, 2025 in Ruidoso (Register SOON on line @ newmexicocowbelles.org)

Cliff/Gila Grant County Fair – September 17 – 20th, 2025

Monthly NM CowBelle ZOOM meeting –  2^nd Thursday at 7:00 p.m.  

 

President Cyndi Donovan called the meeting to order at noon on February 18. There were 11 members present. We recited the Pledge of Alliegance to our flag and the prayer and CowBelle Creed were read.

Cyndi received a note from the Pat Nowlin Scholarship Committee thanking us for our donation in honor of Joyce Biebelle       .

Leslie has amended our trade scholarship application to state that “if recipient does not use the money for the institution it was requested for, Copper CowBelles will require that the scholarship money be returned. Pat suggested that we hold our current scholarship fund raiser raffles at the District Workshop on April 5^th.

There was a healthy discussion about updating our two CowBelle highway signs on U.S. 180. Kathy will make some phone calls to local welders for pricing. We can then poll local ranchers to purchase a spot for their brand which will, in turn, pay for the cost of the sign. We discussed involving FFA, 4-H or possibly an Eagle Scout to work on this project.

Carol Crosley was honored to be the 2024 CowBelle of the Year recipient. Pat and Michelle made the presentation.

We were contacted in regard to the Women in Agriculture Leadership Conference (WALC) scheduled for April 30^th to May 2^nd in Ruidoso. We were asked to sponsor their event at some level. Motion that we make a $100 donation to WALC at the Scholarship Tier passed.

Copper CowBelles will host the District Workshop here on April 5, 2025. We are responsible for the event location, light breakfast snacks and a lunch. Cyndi was able to procure the venue at Cross Point Church for the event. The NMCB will handle registration and those fees will help cover our expenses for the breakfast snacks, lunch, decorations and welcome bags. Belles that assisted are Cindy, Kathy, Leslie, Joan, Carol, Michelle and Lore Nell. Much help from our members will be necessary, but this is shaping up to be an informative and enjoyable day. We truly need all hands on deck!

Julie shared some distressing information about the recent wolf depredations in Cochise County AZ, just south of Wilcox. We need to voice our concerns to our representatives.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 pm.

Cyndi provided our springtime decorations for the meeting and Leslie provided refreshments.

By Carol Crosley

Our next CCB Meeting will be held on March 18, 2025.

Dates to remember:

NMCB DISTRICT WORKSHOP – Saturday April 5, 2025 in Silver City NM

RANCH DAYS @ McKEEN RANCH – Tues. and Wed., April 29^th & 20^th

WALC CONFERENCE, RUIDOSO –  April 30th – May 2^nd    2025

GLENWOOD DUTCH OVEN COOK OFF – April 12, 2025 @ 10 am.

Pat Hunt called the meeting to order at noon on January 21.  There were twelve members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and Cyndi Donovan was asked to recite a blessing for the food and members present.  A potluck soup bar with salad and desserts was provided by members as a substitute for the “Christmas” party and installation that had been scheduled for December but was postponed.

Minutes of the November 19, 2024 meeting were delivered/emailed to the membership. 

Michelle gave an update from the State CowBelles annual meeting and presented Memorial Certificates from the meeting commemorating Mary Jo Hooker and Joyce Biebelle.  Pat encouraged everybody to help Kim Clark get the correct information in the Yearbook by checking existing information for accuracy.  She will follow up with emails to remind everyone that Committee Chairs and monthly hostesses are needed for the meetings.

Michelle conducted the Installation of Officers by first relieving current officers of their positions and then swearing in Cyndi Donovan as President, Leslie Crumbley as Vice President, Misty Pugmire as Treasurer, and Carol Crosley as Secretary.

Michelle announced the 2025 Officers are Duly Installed.  Pat Hunt will be available to fill the position of Past President.

Pat announced that the 2024 CowBelle of the Year is Carol Crosley and congratulations will be given to her at the February meeting.  At this point, Kathy Davis and members of the group presented out-going president Pat with a personalized Copper CowBelles bracelet as a thank you for her leadership.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm.

Dates to Remember:

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18th at 11:30.

Monthly NM State CowBelles Zoom Meetings: 2^nd Thursdays at 7pm

By Pat Hunt

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