The Many Faces of ACGA

PORCH TALK T h e M a n y F a c e s o f A C G A Ben Menges

Ranch Families

I’m a fifth-generation rancher located in Graham and Greenlee counties. A typical day for me varies depending on the time of year. Most of my time in the summer is spent maintaining waters. In the spring and fall I am gathering cattle and branding. I’ve wanted to be a rancher for as long as I can remember, so after I graduated from the University of Ariz ona. I had the privilege of knowing what I wanted to do. Concerning the monthly theme of pursuing authenticity, I don’t think there is anything more authentic than the family behind the ranch and the beef. As for me, my family is expanding. I am recently engaged and ranch life is looking less lonely now that I get to share it with my future wife, Ashley Jeffers-Sample. The Menges Ranch, and many others throughout the state, have unique, authentic family stories to tell. These stories are ones we can use to connect with consumers. They are people, just like ranchers, and I think we have a lot more in common than not. D o n a t e a h e i f e r , s t e e r , c o w , o r b u l l f o r a c h a n c e t o w i n h a l f o f t h e p r o c e e d s ! W H A T W O U L D Y O U D O W I T H $ 2 0 , 0 0 0 ? JA C KPOT HEIFER RAFFLE 13 - Arizona Cattlelog S T E P # 1 Donate a bovine at your local sale barn or send a check to ACGA S T E P # 2 The sale barn will send confirmation of donation to ACGA S T E P # 3 The dollar amount donated will be added to the pot & your name will be added to the drawing S T E P # 4 A drawing for half of the proceeds will take place at Winter Meeting 50% to winner & 50% to ACGA Must be 400+ pounds l must value $500+ Drawing will take place a ACGA's Winter Meeting