The Grant County Copper CowBelles met on May 15, 2018.  After the pledge, creed and prayer the April minutes were approved and the March minutes were amended to allow the President access to the e-banking accounts.  Correspondence included a donation request for the cake walk at the Silver City Museum July 4^th event.  Kim and JoAnn reported on the auction at the Cowboy Fiesta Party.  For a first time event the auction and the dinner/dance did very well.  Plans are already in the works for next year’s event. Money earned was transferred from the regular checking account to the scholarship fund.  It was decided not to have a float in the July 4^th parade but consideration is still being given to participating in the Wine Festival to be held in July that would possibly involve wine pairing with beef samples.  President van Tellingen regretfully announced the resignation of Ashley Ivins as NMCB President.  She encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming mid-year meeting in Ruidoso.  The Town wants new contracts signed for the “Adopt a Median” program Copper participates in.  The Executive Board will review the contract before signing.  Copper recently lost past members, Jo Bounds and Brenda Bays.  Memorial donations have been received.  A donation to the Pat Nowlin fund in their memories will be voted on at the next meeting.

Submitted by Pat Hunt

It may be #BeefMonth, but cattle are natural recyclers and upcyclers providing us with more than nutritious, healthy and safe protein. #CattleTales

Source: https://www.facebook.com/cattletales/

Did you know… 97 percent of beef ranches today are family owned and operated? Typically, there are multiple generations involved in the family business!  #BeefMonth

The report shows that family-owned farms continue to form the core of American agriculture, with 97 percent of 2.1 million farms classified as family farms. Those farms vary widely of course, with some being large businesses employing many non-family members and some being very small in acreage and revenue.

For farms raising cattle or calves, the report lists a total of 740,978 operations. Of those, 202,047 are listed as retirement farms, where the operators report they are retired, although they continue to farm on a small scale. On 266,250 cattle operations, NASS reports the operator has an off-farm occupation. Of the cattle farms where the operator’s primary occupation is farming, 130,774 are listed as having annual sales less than $150,000, 47,648 have sales of $150,000 to $349,999, 51,301 have sales from $350,000 to $999,999, 20,142 have sales from $1 million to $4,999,999 and 2,609 have sales of more than $5 million. Non-family farms account for the remaining 20,207 cattle operations.

Source: http://bit.ly/2l3sur8

A friendly reminder that the NMCB mid-year meeting in Ruidoso is coming up next month, June 10-11, 2018 ! Register by May 20! Lots of fun events are planned including a BEEFit Fun Run/Walk and a Cow-A-Bunga Luau (that sounds like fun!!)

Registration information – Deadline May 20: https://www.newmexicocowbelles.org/nmcb-annual-meeting

Hope to see you there,

Deborah van Tellingen, 2018 President, Copper CowBelles

April 17, 2018

The Grant County Copper CowBelles met on April 17, 2018 in Silver City. After the Pledge, Prayer and Creed, the March minutes were approved. A registration from a new member who is moving to Grant County was received in the mail.  President Deborah Van Tellingen announced that the District III meeting was a success and thank you’s were made to the members for their hard work.  A report was made on Henry Torres’s funeral reception which Copper hosted. Kim Clark reported on the status of the auction for the Cowboy Fiesta Party to be held April 28^th.  This will be the major fundraiser for Copper’s scholarship this year.  Several members will be helping with the McKeen Ranch Days in Alma, April 24-25.  There was discussion about a 4^th of July parade float and/or participating in the Silver City Wine Festival.  An email will be sent out for discussion of these two events. Everyone was encouraged to attend the Mid-Year meeting in Ruidoso, June 10-11.

Submitted by Pat Hunt

We had a wonderful District meeting and I am thankful that all went relatively smoothly….some hiccups during the day, but overall, I think it was a successful event.

 I will write more later but I wanted to thank EVERYONE who helped out. I appreciate every single one of you!! We couldn’t have done it without you.

 I will take the leftover food up to the PA Fire station today for our hose testing/training. The firefighters will appreciate the food! Thank you.

 Have a great weekend,

Deborah

• The Grant County Beat covered our District meeting – http://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/43094-copper-cowbelles-host-new-mexico-cowbelles-meeting-032318

• VIDEO: Our Treasurer, Mary Hudson!! Represent! https://www.facebook.com/NewMexicoCowBelles/videos/1928966140470110/

• VIDEO: Margie McKeen! https://www.facebook.com/NewMexicoCowBelles/videos/1928967520469972/

The Grant County Fair Association, Grant County Cattlegrowers and Grant Count Copper CowBelles are joining to bring you the Fiesta Cowboy Party on April 28, 2018.

Proceeds from the cash party will go to the Fair Association and the Cattlegrowers.

The Live/Silent Auction will be sponsored by the Copper CowBelles with proceeds going to support beef education, scholarships and other yearly programs.

Reminder to register for the New Mexico CowBelles District III meeting to be held in Silver City on Friday March 23.

Continental Breakfast, lunch, the workshop and entertainment are all included in the price. Register by March 16, to get the discounted price of $25.

 There will be two local speakers:

• Connie Rooks from the Grant County Farm and Livestock Bureau: Topic TBD
• Jeanette Hamilton, from Bar J Horse Boarding, will talk about the latest updates on the proposed livestock hauling regulations and CDL permits

The Country Gospel Band, Jericho, will entertain attendees during the lunch break!

Registration form here: DistrictIIImeeting

The Grant County Copper CowBelles met on February 20, 2018.  New member Jeannette Hamilton was introduced.  President Deborah van Tellingen gave a report on the NM CowBelles Legislative Action Day in Santa Fe which she participated in with the State Officers.  This is a new annual event and she is excited about the positive interaction with other Grant County officials and the State Legislators, including the Governor.  More details were announced about the upcoming District III meeting which Copper will host on March 23^rd. Two additional speakers will be added to the State Officers’ program including Connie Rooks of the Grant County Farm Bureau Women in Ag group and Jeannette Hamilton, who will discuss the new CDL laws which affect livestock transportation.

Copper will participate in a fundraising cash party event put on by the Grant County Fair Buyers Pool.  Copper will arrange a silent and live auction as a fundraiser for the scholarship fund.  This event will replace The Shindig this year.  Past President Pat Hunt made a presentation to her 2017 CowBelle of the Year, Linda Pecotte and thanked her for always volunteering to help with last minute details for various agenda items.  A motion was passed to pay for part of Deborah’s travel expenses to Santa Fe and to donate $300 to the El Grito Head Start program in Grant County and also to the CYFD Strengthening Families Program.  Both of these groups need assistance in feeding program participants.

Submitted by Pat Hunt