Message from the CattleWomen Council Chair

Suport beef in our state through your involvement as an Idaho CattleWoman

BY MAGGIE MALSON CattleWomen Council Chair

What does it mean to be an Idaho Cattlewoman? I’ve pondered this question many times during the last two decades I’ve been involved with the Idaho Cattlewomen Council. Is it simply a title given to a dues-paying member of an organization? Is there only one way to be an Idaho Cattlewoman?

Being an Idaho cattlewoman isn’t defined solely by membership or owning cows and living on a ranch. It goes much deeper than that. It’s why through all the years of changes our industry has seen, many aspects of it remain the same. Deep down at its core, being an Idaho cattlewoman is having a love of the cattle, the industry, and the people in it. It’s wanting to support those who produce beef, and share with consumers why beef is part of a healthy diet.

Of course, monetary support of ICW and the Idaho Cattle Association is vital to helping continue the grassroots work done on behalf of cattle producers of Idaho. But, being a cattlewoman goes beyond that. It is who we are. It’s a spirit and a passion for an industry. From the women who started the Idaho CowBelles in 1940 to the three (so far) women who have served as president of the ICA, women have been both working behind the scenes AND leading others to promote beef and the Idaho cattle industry for more than 80 years.

So, who are Idaho Cattlewomen? They are experienced, skilled and educated. They are students, passionate and ready to learn. They are mothers, daughters, grandmas, sisters, aunts. They work beside spouses and partners—roping, riding and branding. They work the chute, give the shots, keep the records, and run the errands. They feed the crew and families. They work other jobs in town and in the industry to help support the ranching lifestyle. They set policy and are involved in local, state and national cattle leadership. They teach and guide the younger generations. They care for the land and cattle. They support their family, friends and neighbors. They volunteer in their communities, schools and churches. They are diverse.

There are countless ways to be an Idaho cattlewoman. However, we are also united in one mission—to promote beef and beef production in Idaho. We are all Idaho CattleWomen!

One of the biggest projects the ICWC continues to grow is the Scholarship Saddle Raffle. Each year tickets are sold for the saddle and the proceeds are used to award scholarships to Idaho students pursuing careers in agriculture. In the last two years alone, ICWC has been able to award $24,000 to deserving students. That is a testament to the support and importance our community places on the future of agriculture and the students who will be moving it forward.

This year’s saddle was made by Nancy Martiny and as a special addition, brands were sold and included. Thank you for your continued support of this program. For more information on the Idaho CattleWomen, please visit www.idahocattlewomen.org. We have shared cattlewomen profiles, scholarship applications, beef recipes, and more.

Being an Idaho cattlewoman isn’t defined solely by membership or owning cows and living on a ranch. It goes much deeper than that.

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