UPDATE

By Terri Parker, Georgia CattleWomen’s Association President

Hello, friends of the cattle industry. The year is off to a fast start. The ladies of GCWA have really been busy preparing programs for ladies in their respective areas and preparing for livestock shows. There are so many opportunities for you as an individual to get involved and serve the beef industry.

The West Georgia Chapter spent January and is spending February presenting numerous educational programs for the women in the area. In January, Dee Perry, the Executive Director of GALT (Georgia Agricultural Land Trust) discussed the issue of disappearing farmland in Georgia to the chapter. The chapter also presented the opportunity to attend a 12-week virtual program for women-owned farms in rural areas to interact with other entrepreneurs. Building our peer network, consulting with others virtually about resources, goals and many other topics were on the course agenda.

Mid-Georgia CattleWomen’s chapter filled the first month of the new year preparing for the West Central Georgia Steer and Heifer Show at the Chestnut Oak Arena. The show is a wonderful way to support and encourage the youth as they exhibit their steer and heifer projects. MGCWA collaborated with the Upson/Lamar Extension to host “I HEART BEEF” last month at the Upson Extension office.

The Georgia CattleWomen’s Association has been diligently preparing for the upcoming year. This year, GCWA will have board and officer elections at the Convention in Columbus. If you have not made plans to attend the 61st Annual Convention, I encourage you to do so. The Iron Sharpens Iron Convention will be held at the historic Iron Works center March 8-10, 2023. The Planning Committee has prepared a host of events, and it will be a great time to gather with others from across the state. More information will be available on the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association website on how to register, along with a list of events.

Many of our other chapters are prepping the youth and headed to the barns in Perry this month to showcase their livestock at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show. It always brings a smile to my face when I see the vehicles with trailers attached headed toward Perry. It signifies that another generation of young people have been inspired to continue the industry. This is where we need to place our focus as we see our rural lands turn into subdivisions. How can we continue to cultivate and grow the next generation’s interest?

It is through each of us sharing our enthusiasm for cattle and the beef industry that we will garner a new generation’s interest. I share with you that a few months back, I received a surprise phone call from Mr. Kenneth Bridges. He had read my article in the Georgia Cattleman magazine (December 2022 GCWA Update, page 26) and reached out to share some stories with me about his journey. Mr. Bridges is a local Georgia author, having written a book entitled, “Life of a Man Named Kenneth.” His book and his stories are very insightful for educators and agricultural enthusiasts alike. He shared so many stories of encouragement with me about women in the industry and his never-give-up attitude. His love of agriculture led him on his journey of life and showered on him many opportunities. As with Mr. Bridges, our passion needs to become contagious. Thank you, Mr. Bridges, for sharing your love and fire for agriculture with me. If you have not read his book, I encourage you to give it a glance.

Through educational programs, organizations such as the local Cattlemen’s and CattleWomen’s chapters, the state associations, the American National CattleWomen and our individual passions – we ignite the same passions that reside inside us into our youth. Don’t forget to join your local chapter, state or national organization. Your membership counts at each level, and we appreciate each membership. Follow the GCWA at georgiacattlewomen.org, on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Encourage others to join or sponsor a membership. If you are looking for a local chapter to meet up with, give me call.

Vice-President: Hailey Partain PO Box 86 Thomaston, GA 30286 706-975-6826 hpartain@uga.edu

Secretary: Jennifer Scott 392 Long Farm Road Jefferson, GA 30549 678-283-0936 jscott@braselton.net

Treasurer: Tracie Wheeless 1840 Fort Lamar Road Commerce, GA 30530 706-614-7436

4wvalleyfarm@gmail.com

Parlimentarian: Cynthia Douglas 1950 Delray Road Thomaston, GA 30286 770-550-1070 douglasfarm@windstream.net

Past President: Theresa Molle 190 Long Bridge Road Helena, GA 31037 229-315-1466 tmolle@windstream.net www.gabeef.org/gcwa cattlewomen@gabeef.org

AMERICAN NATIONAL CATTLEWOMEN PO Box 3881, Centennial, CO 80112 303-694-0313, fax: 303-694-2390