2022 A Salute to Agriculture - Fall/Winter Edition

Hands-onlearning,inthefield, withindustryexperts.

Agriculture Instructors

Cattlewoman’sroutinemorning becomesanythingbutroutine

ByJeffRice jerice@ prairiemountainmedia.com

“Let’shopetherearen’tanysurprises.”

BrittyPrattvaultedintothedriver’sseatoftheDodgeRamflatbed pickupandstarteditup.Wewere headedtoMcEndafferCattleCo.’s pasturesnorthwestofSterlingto checkonthecow-calfpairsgrazing there.Itwasspring,towardtheend ofcalvingseason,anditwasPratt’s jobtocountthecows,checktheir calves,tagandlistanynewborns andgenerallyassessthecondition oftheherd.Herflawlessmakeup andperfectlycoiffedhairbeliedthe hardworkahead.

WeweremeetingsoIcouldinterviewPrattaboutthenewlyformedLoganCountyCattlewomen,ofwhichshewaspresident.Itwasdecidedthebestway tointerviewherwastoaccompany heronhermorningrounds,andso therewewere,bouncingacrossthe hillsanddrawsofLoganCounty, “caking”thecows.

Pratt’struckcarriedaboxyaffair thatdispensedwhatarebasically cowtreats;golfball-sizechunks offeedthattasteawholelotbetterthantheprairiegrassesthe cattlegrazeon.Mostofthecows recognizedthesightandsoundof thetruckandcameflockingtoit. Prattcountedtheanimals,mentallycheckingoffthecowsand theircalves’matchingeartags, makingsureeveryoneispresent andaccountedfor.Theinteraction withthecattleisoneofthebenefitsPrattseesinherlineofwork.

RaisedinoneofnortheastColorado’smostprominentlivestockfamilies,Pratthasalwayshadanaffinityfortheanimals.Thebestpartof herday,shesaid,iswhenshecan reachoutandscratchtheirears. Atonepointsheopenedthetruck doorandwaitedwhileoneofthe cowscameupandstuckherhead inPratt’slap.

“Thisone’smyfavorite,”shesaid.

“She’ssogentle,andshe’sagood mama.”

Aswepatrolledthepasture, cakingandcountingandassessing,Prattspottedacowstanding aloneinacopseofcottonwoods anddeadfall.

“She’scalving,”Prattsaid.

Westoppedandgotout,andI grabbedmycamera.Itwasdifficulttoseethroughthespindly saplings,andIwasunabletoget closeenoughforadecentphoto.We watchedasthecow,alreadydeep intolabor,pushedandbellowedfor aboutaquarterofanhourbefore lyingdown.Withafinalpush,she expelledthecalf,whichlandedon thegroundwithasoftplop.The cowrestedforafewminutes,then gottoherfeetandbeganlicking

PHOTOSBYJEFFRICE—JOURNAL-ADVOCATE Prattlurescowsinwith“cake”treats.There’snorealneedfortheinteraction,butPrattconsidersbeingableto touchandinteractwiththeanimalsaspartofthebenefitofwhatshedoesforaliving.

BrittPrattexplainssomeoftheadvantagesofhavingcowsgivebirthina pastureratherincalvingcorralsandsheds.

thecalf,nudgingit,inspectingit, goingthroughthemotionsofa motherwelcomingherbabyinto theworld.

“Let’scomebackandtagthecalf aftershegetshimuponhisfeet,” Prattsaid,andawaywewent.

Itwasn’tlongbeforewefound anothercowshowingsignsoflabor. “She’sthinkin’aboutit,”Prattsaid.

Aftercompletingherroundsof thefirstpasture,Prattturnedthe truckbacktowardthenewborn, whichwasnowstandingup.She approachedthecalfcautiouslywith aneyeonthemama.Whenthecow backedaway,Prattquicklytagged thecalf,returnedtothetruckand loggedthenewborninoneofthe totebooks.

Whilewebumpedourway acrosstheprairie,Prattexplained thatMcEndafferCattleprefersto letitscowscalveinthepastures ratherthangatheringthemclose in.Whileitmeansgreatereffort andinconvenienceforthepeople involved,shesaiditallowsthecows

amorenaturalenvironment.

“Cowswanttobealoneandhide theirbabies,whichtheycandoin thepasture,”shesaid.“Ofcourse, wealwaysfindthemprettyfast,but wethinkitcausesthemlessstress, helpsthembebettermamas.”

Itwasathemethatwouldresoundthroughoutthemorning: lowerthestressontheanimal,improvetheircomfort,respecttheir naturalimpulses,andguardtheir well-being.Ontheonehand,it’s justgoodbusiness—happycows arehealthiercows,andhealthier cattlemeanhealthierprofits.On theotherhand,it’sjustanatural affinityforanimalsthatoneworks withdayafterday,yearafteryear.

Prattstoppedthetruckand peeredthroughthewindowat somethingthathadcaughtherattention.Shecircledbacktofinda lonecalf.Itseartagmatchedone she’dseenearlieronacowelsewhereinthepasture.Something waswrong,foracalftobesofar fromitsmother.Wegotoutandapproachedthecalf,whichstoodquietlyasPrattcheckedtheanimal. Somethingwaswrongwithitsjaw; itwaseitherbrokenordislocated, probablyfromhavingbeenstepped

Prattlogsataggednewborncalfinatotebook.Livestockproducersuse totebookstokeeptrackoftheirherdsonadailybasis.

on.Sheloadedthecalfintheback seatofthetruck,thencalledtheofficetoreportshewouldbebringinganinjuredcalfin.

Minuteslaterwespiedasecond cowwithanewborn,tryingtohide inadrawstrewnwithdeadfall. Prattdismountedtotagthecalf. Sheagainapproachedwarily,but

thistimethecowstoodherground, pawingandsnorting.Prattreached outhershepherd’scrook,snagged thecalf’slegandbegantopullit towardher.

That’swhentherodeobegan. Thecowcharged,andPratttried tobackaway,trippedoverafallen

JEFFRICE—JOURNAL-ADVOCATE

treebranch,andfellbackward. Theanimalwasonherinaninstantandthecattlewomanliterally disappearedunderthecow.Inthat momentamillionthoughtswent throughmymind,fewofwhichcan beprintedhere.Ihaveheardstoriesofmenandwomenbeinggrievouslyinjuredorkilledbyobstreperouslivestock,andinthatmoment, IrealizedIhadnoideawherewe were,hadleftmycellphoneinmy

pickup,andhadnowaytocontactthecivilizedworldlessthana dozenmilesaway.

Amomentlaterthecowhad backedawayandPrattscrambled toherfeetandretreatedtothe truck.Herfirstwordswere,“Please tellmeyougotpicturesofthat!” Nope.Intheexcitementofthe moment,mycamerawasthelast thingonmymind.

Aftercheckingtomakesureall ofherlimbswereintactandworking,Prattslumpedagainsttheside ofthetruck.“Ithoughtshewas bluffing,”shesaid.

Amomentlatershegaspedin

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COURTESYPHOTO

NikiWernsman,left,andBrittPrattenjoyalaughduringtheLCCW’s first AnnualMeetinginFebruary.

RACHELGABEL—THEFENCEPOST LoganCountyCattlewomenchairBrittPrattgetsfacetimewithGov. JaredPolisduring“CallingontheCapitol”eventinMarch.

JEFFRICE—JOURNAL-ADVOCATE

Pratttagsanewborncalfwhileitsmotherstandsguardnearby.Cowsand calveswearmatchingeartagsforeasieridentification.

horror.Havingretreatedfrom combat,thecowwasnuzzlingthe calf,whichlaymotionlessonthe ground.

“Shekilledthecalf!”Prattcried. “Omigod,shesteppedonitand killedit!”

Indeed,thecalfwasutterlystill, unresponsivetoitsmothersnudging.

Ihadnoideahowtoreact.I triedtocomfortPratt,triedtounderstandwhatthismeanttoher. Aroutinemorningfullofnewlife hadsuddenlybecomeanightmare. Forseveralminutesshepaced backandforth,workingtobring heremotionsbackundercontrol. Therewasworktobedone,but nowapallhadfallenovertheday.

Thenthecalfmoved.Andstood up.Andfolloweditsmotherupout ofthedraw.

Therestofthemorningwas comparativelyuneventful.We foundthecowwhohadbeen “thinkingaboutit,”andshehadn’t thoughtforverylong.Prattwas abletotagthecalfwithoutincident,andwerodeoff tocheckanotherpasture.

Itwasnearlynoonwhenwere-

turnedtotheMcEndafferFeedyard.Prattdroppedmeatthe officeandtookthetrucktodeliverherinjuredpassengertobe thoroughlyexamined.Onherreturn,sherecountedthemorning’sadventuretoherfather,Bret McEndaffer,whoseemedtotake theeventsinstride.

Prattwouldlatermessageme thattheinjuredcalfhadbeenable tonurseandwouldbereturnedto itsmother.Stilllater,Iwouldlearn thatithadn’tbeenabletothrive becauseofthepain,andhadbeen putdown.Asitturnedout,coyoteshadbeenharassingtheherd, causingcowstoaccidentallyinjuretheirowncalveswhiletryingtodefendthem.Threecalves werelostbeforethecoyotescould bedispatched.

Inthedaysafterourmorninginwhichweretheremore thanenoughsurprises,Ilearned thatBrittyPrattwouldprocess thatdayinawaythatiscommon amonglivestockpeople:withhumor.ConversingwithPratt’sbest friendandfellowfounderofLogan CountyCattlewomen,NikiWernsman,IsuggestedthatWernsman askPratthowherbulldoggingcareerwasgoing.

“Oh,Iheardaboutthat,”Wernsmanreplied.“Shesaiditwasmore likerodeoclownschool.”

NJC’sranchhorseversatilityteam teachesstudentsvaluablelifeskills

ByCallieJones cjones@ prairiemountainmedia.com

StudentsatNortheasternJunior Collegearelearningsomevaluable lifeskillswiththehelpofhorses.

Theranchhorseversatilityteam wasstartedin2006byWayne Miller,whowantedtohaveacompetitiveoutletforstudentswho wereinvolvedwithhorsesbutwere notapartofthecollege’srodeo team.Overtheyearsithasgrown tobequitesuccessfulandisnow headedbyinstructorAmandaMorganwithhelpfromColeBriggs, equinemanagementprogramcoordinatorandinstructor.

WhenBriggscametoNJC,Miller hadmovedontoLaramieCommunityCollegeinCheyenne,Wyoming,andtheyalongwithanother friendofBriggs’,whowasteachingatColoradoStateUniversity, gottogetherandstartedworking ondevelopingacompetitiveoutletforstudentscalledranchhorse versatility“anditstartedgetting bigacrossthecountry,”Briggssaid atarecentNJCAdvisoryCouncil meeting.

Ranchhorseversatilityincludes fourdifferenteventsthatallteam memberscompeteinateachshow. Inthefirstevent,theranchtrail, thehorseandridermustcomplete severalmandatoryobstaclessuch asgoingoverabridge,openinga gateorcrossingawaterobstacle. Onecompetitionevenincludedan outhouse,whichridershadtolead theirhorseto,groundtiethehorse, pretendtousetheouthouseand thencomeoutandgetbackonthe horse—ifitwasstillthere.

Thesecondeventisranchriding, whichisa“realpreciseevent”that focusesonhorsemanshipdisplay, withridershavingtomakedifferenttransitionsfromtrottolope, lopetogallop,gallopbacktotrot andtrotbacktowalk.Duringthis event,thejudgelooksathowpleasurablethehorselookstoride,how quiettheriderandhorseareandif thehorseisrespondingwell.

Nextisreining,whichisanotch upfromranchridingandismore intense,ithasthehorseandrider doslidingstops,fastspinsandfigure-eightpatterns.

Thelasteventiscowworking, whichiswhatkindofhooksstudents.Itisofferedatbeginner,intermediateandadvancedlevelsin collegiatecompetitions,“because thecowworktakesaprettydang skilledhorseandaprettydang skilledstudent,andsometimeswe don’thavebothofthemreadytogetheratthesametime,”Briggs said.Thedifferentlevelsmean studentswhohavenevershown before,andinonecasehadnever riddenuntilamonthbeforeschool started,don’thavetocompetewith

thosewhomayhave10yearsof competitionexperience.

“Whatmakes(ranchhorseversatility)souniqueIthinkisthat whatmakesanexceptionalreiningcowhorseoftengives(thestudents)somechallengesinthetrail andpleasureandviceversa:areallygreattrailandpleasurehorse isachallengeinthereinandcow horsewhereyoustepupthespeed andsuch,soitreallyattractsthese studentswhowantachallenge, whowanttoworkhard,”Morgan said.“Itreallymakesaversatile horse,butreallymakesaversatile studentandit’sfuntowatchhow muchmaturitytheygetthrough thiscontest.Itseemslikeit’sjust horsesandcowboyhats,butreally

it’ssocool.”

Briggsalsopointedoutthat it’snicebecausewiththiskind ofcompetitionifateammember doespoorlyinoneeventtheyknow theyhavethreemorechancesto re-gatherthemselvesandtrytodo better.

“That’swhyitgotsopopular.A lotofpeoplelikeit;theylikeaversatilehorsethancandomultiple thingsandtheylikeachallenge,” Briggssaid.

FormerNJCathleteshaveseen greatsuccess;somehavegoneon tocompeteatfour-yearuniversitieslikeWestTexasA&Mandothersareworkingastrainers.One evenhelpsMustangMaddy,afa-

COURTESYPHOTO—NJCEQUINEFACEBOOKPAGE

NortheasternJuniorCollege’s2022-23ranchhorseversatilityteamhassomefunduringoneoftheirpractices.

mousmustangtrainer,manage heronlinepresenceandanother, JebStoltzfus,isatrainerinAlamosaandlastyearwas13thinthe World’sGreatestHorseman,oneof thebiggesteventsinthecountry.

“WehavethreeatWestTexas Universitynowcompetinginthat upperdivision.Wegottobeabig partofthatgrowthandthecoach isnowcallingmeandsaying‘who doyouhaveformenextyear?’SoI thinkwe’redoingagoodjobofpreparingthemforthat,”Morgansaid.

Alloftheteammemberskeep theirhorsesoncampusinoneof the60stallsthatNJChasaspartof itsstallingfacilityacrossfromthe LoganCountyFairgrounds.

“WhenIfirstcame,thestudents’ horseswereboardedallovertown, theykepttheirhorsesatdifferent places,theyallhadthetrailerhere anditwasarealpainforthemand expenseforthemanditwasalittledangeroushavingthoseguys backandforthallofthetime,so

NJC»PAGE12

COURTESYPHOTO—NJCEQUINEFACEBOOKPAGE Membersofthe2022-23NortheasternJuniorCollegeEquineSenateposeforaphotoatoneoftheirmeetings.

NJC

the stalling facility has been really great for us,” Briggs said.

He noted one of the nice things about ranch horse versatility is in most competitions if you’re a nonprofessional or an amateur you have to show your own horse, but in collegiate ranch horse contests the competitors can show other people’s horses.

“Most of the students that come to our ranch horse team and want to show horses competitively don’t have a horse that’s probably go ing to be real competitive, but (Amanda) and I try to do a really a good job of trying to find them horses that they can be competi tive on,” Briggs said, adding that some of the horses are horses that were started in NJC’s colt training program.

The associations NJC’s team shows under include the National Intercollegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Association, AQHA (Amer ican Quarter Horse Association), CoWN Stock Horse Association, Stock Horse of Texas and Slidin Daze Spectacular, in Briggsdale.

“It’s nice; it gives our students a chance to get affiliated with some of those organizations if they’ve not ever done that before, not been involved in that before. They’re starting to learn a little bit about what association is, what it does, the leadership in it, the manage ment of it and all of those sorts of things,” Briggs said.

The team’s season spans both fall and spring. In the fall they show at CSU Silver Jubilee, CoWN Region 8 Championship in Love

land, and Latigo Trails, and in the spring they compete at Na tional Reined Cow Horse Associ ation World Championship Show in Fort Worth; LCCC; CSU; Ne braska College of Technical Agri culture’s Punchy in Pink, a breast cancer awareness show; and the Collegiate National Championship.

NJC also hosts its own show in the fall. They did have a second one in spring but it went away and now they’re in the process of try ing to bring it back. This fall’s NJC show will take place Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the Double Check Arena, in Ea ton. The show is not held in Ster ling because there aren’t enough horse stalls.

Funding from that show is how the team operates; last year they made $27,000 after expenses. The show is an AQHA and NIRSHAapproved event. Morgan said what makes it unique is along with the college students, cowboys and cow girls who are showing at World’s Greatest Horseman, which she called equivalent to their sport’s Super Bowl, are also showing with the students.

“They are sitting alongside hav ing conversations with them, tell ing them what they can be doing

better in the arena,” Morgan said. “Then we go back to some of these other shows and it’s just this re ally neat opportunity for them to really see where this can lead for them and get direct input and net work and learn to talk to some of these people.”

As part of the program, Morgan has also formed an Equine Club Senate that meets every week and includes a president, vice presi dent, treasurer, secretary and Campus Activities Board representative.

They discuss fundraising ideas and teambuilding activities, keep track of entries for upcoming shows, discuss travel logistics for those shows and discuss any cam pus student activities they are in volved in. For instance, the team has helped out at NJC’s Culture Fair, the Community Club Fair at the beginning of the school year and Trick or Treat Street and they also let some international stu dents that might not have access or exposure to horses come out and get on one of the horses a few times during the year.

“Depending on which group I have in the senate role, it is amaz ing how they can make our fresh men feel welcome and a part of things here… That’s one of the things they have really prioritized and done an incredible job of too and so I think it really can help with our retention, and holding on to these students and making them feel like home away from home,” Morgan said.

The team is also involved in the community. Morgan works with youth in Akron and Holyoke on their ranch horsing and she is in volved in Logan County 4-H, host ing a youth ranch horse night ev

ery Monday with help from the NJC ranch horse team members.

NJC students learn many in valuable skills through partici pating in the ranch horse versatil ity team, including showmanship, communication, networking, con nections in horse leadership, ad vanced horsemanship, show man agement, budget management, time management, teamwork and industry knowledge.

“The ag department as a whole, we pride ourselves on teaching them professionalism and working hard and this is hard work. Usu ally, we’re (at shows) two or three days and if we get to bed before 11 and we get to sleep in until 5 a.m. it’s a pretty good weekend,” Mor gan said. “Some of the students struggle at first, but by the time they’re sophomores or super soph omores, they’re like ‘let’s go.’ They learn how to get some grit, they learn how to hydrate and take ad vantage of their sleeping hours and stay focused during the day even when they’re tired and put on their professional faces and go to work, and I think that’s huge in life.”

For team member Brielyn Blev ens, who is currently serving as Miss Rodeo Logan County, one of the coolest things about the sport is the community.

“When I came here I didn’t re ally have a lot of friends until I really started getting involved in the ranch horse team and that intro duced me to so many people in the community and not just this community but community else where like in Texas, I have friends in Texas now; I have friends up in Nebraska at NCTA, so it’s really a cool thing to get you out there and get you started making friends,” she said.

Shopourbookstoreat

THANKYOUTOESSENTIA I L FARMERS&RANCHERS

personatthisyear’sHighPlains

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“They learn how to ... stay focused during the day even when they’re tired and put on their professional faces and go to work, and I think that’s huge in life.”

— Amanda Morgan, head instructor

COMMUNITY, CULTURE,AND ECONOMY

FocusingonthefutureofagricultureinColorado

ByKateGreenburg ColoradoCommissionerofAgriculture

AstheCommissionerofAgriculture,IseeeachdaythatColorado’sagcommunitiesarediverse,resilient,andinnovative. ThroughoutmytimeasCommissioner,I’vetraveledallacross ourstate,fromCorteztoHolyokeandLamartoCraig,meetingwithproducerswhoarededicatedtopreservingagriculture asadrivingforceofourstate’s economyandcommunity.

TheColoradoDepartmentof Agricultureisdeeplycommitted toensuringfarmingandranchingremaintheculturalandeconomicdriversacrossColorado. Weknowthatpreservingandenhancingagricultureforthefutureisnotaneasytask.Itmeans supportingthenextgenerationof agleaders,diversifyingmarkets andensuringourmarketsareresponsivetocustomerandproducerneeds,andpromotingre-

KateGreenburgistheColoradoCommissionerofAgriculture.

sourcestewardshipthroughvoluntary,incentive-basedprograms thatmitigatethefinancialrisks oftryingnewordifferentproductionmethods.

Tostrengthenoursupply chainssoproducerscanmake topdollarfortheirproducts,we arecommittedtoinvestingin processingandfarm-to-market infrastructuretobolsteranddiversifymarketopportunities.EverydaywesupportColorado’s agproducersandbusinessesin buildinggreaterresilienceand profitability.

CDAinvestsinfamilyfarms thatarekeepingourpeopleconnectedtothelandweliveon.We havehelpednearly100families throughtheFamilyFarmTransitionprogram,whichhelpsolder orretiringfarmersandranchers passtheirlandtothenextgeneration.

Butwealsoknowthatnoteveryfuturefarmerorrancherwill inheritland.Sowearealsobuildingpathwaysintoagriculture foryoungpeoplenomattertheir startingpoint.

Thefutureofagmustinclude numerousoptionsforentryfor allthosewhowanttogiveback totheircommunitiesthrougha careerinagriculture,whether asfarmers,waterexperts,engineers,researchers,andsomuch more.

Tothatend,CDA’sNextGenAg Leadershipgrantprogramand theAgWorkforceDevelopment Programinvestintheeducation andhands-onexperiencesofnew farmersandranchersacrossCol-

oradothroughpaidapprenticeships,scholarships,andgrants forleadershipdevelopment.And becauseaccesstocreditiscritical,especiallyforthoseinunder-resourcedcommunities,we justlaunchedtheColoradoAgriculturalFuturesLoanProgram, with$20millionininnovative loansmeanttohelpyoungand beginningfarmersestablishand growtheiroperations.

UnderthePolisadministration,Coloradohasbeenleading thechargeonaddressingsomeof thebiggestenvironmentalchallengesfacingagriculture.Wedo thatbyfollowingtheleadofColorado’sfarmersandrancherswho arelandstewardsandwhocare deeplyaboutpreservinglandand waterforfuturegenerations.

Weknowthatongoingdrought andclimatechangearehavinga devastatingimpactonourland, whetherthroughincreasedpest pressure,wildfire,orothernaturaldisasters.CDAhasledanumberofinitiativestohelpouragriculturalcommunityscaletheimplementationofclimate-smart agriculturalpracticesthrough suchinitiativesasourSavingTomorrow’sAgriculturalResources (STAR)programandtheACRE3 programfocusedonsavingfarmersandranchersmoneythrough increasingenergyefficiencyon farms,indairies,andotherag operationsacrossourstate.

Wearepromotingparticipationinthesevoluntary,incentivebasedprogramsthathelpfarmersandranchersinvestinclimate-smartagriculture,which canberiskyandcostly.Agricultureisupagainstalot.ButColoradohassomeofthebestfarmers andranchersintheworldwho exhibiteverydayacommitment toeconomicopportunity,stewardshipandyoungpeople.

Andfinally,aswedothisimportantworktogethertosustain ouragcommunities,we’llkeep tellingthestoryofagricultureto Coloradansandpeoplearound theworldwhoareallintimately connectedtoagriculture,forwe alleat.

KateGreenbergistheColorado CommissionerofAgriculture.

COURTESYPHOTO—COLORADODEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTURE

Coloradofamily investinginthe futureofcamelmilk

Wrayfarmoneofonlytwo‘drome-dairies’intheU.S.

ByJeffRice jerice@ prairiemountainmedia.com

EverydayishumpdayatKyle andHollyHendrix’sdairyfarm.

TheHendrixesaretheowners ofCamelotDairy,oneofonlytwo cameldairyfarmsintheUnited States.TheotheroneisinRamona, Calif.

Thecoupleoperatesasmallregulardairyontheirfarmnorthof Wray,justafewmilesfromtheNebraskastateline,andin2012attendedtheNationalBrownSwiss ShowinOklahoma.There,they metanexpertoncameldairying andwereintriguedwiththepossibilities.Ayearlaterthefamily startedtheirowncameldairywith threecowsandabull,andhave growntheiroperationfromthere.

Camelmilkisagoodsubstitute forcow’smilkforpeoplewhoare lactoseintolerant,Hendrixsaid.

Supportersofcamelmilkasanautismtherapyclaimthattheantioxidantsinthemilkcanreducereactiveoxygenspecieslevelsinautisticchildren.Theysaythatthisthen reduceschildren’sautismcharacteristics.

Themilkhasmyriadotherbenefits,accordingtoHealthline.com. Whenitcomestocalorie,protein, andcarbohydratecontent,camel milkiscomparabletowholecow’s milk.It’salsolowerinsaturatedfat andoffersmorevitaminC,Bvitamins,calcium,iron,andpotassium.

Themilkcontainsinsulin-like proteins,whichmakeitagood choiceforthosewithType1and Type2diabetes.Insulinisahormonethathelpsregulateblood sugarlevels.Studiesindicatethat camelmilkprovidestheequivalent of52unitsofinsulinperabout4 cups(1liter).It’salsohighinzinc, whichmayhelpimproveinsulin

Supporting thenextgeneration inColoradoAgriculture

Weinvestinthepeople,

JEFFRICE—JOURNAL-ADVOCATE

ofthedairy.

sensitivity

Camelmilkcontainscompounds thatappeartofightvariousdisease-causingorganisms.Thetwo mainactivecomponentsincamel milkarelactoferrinandimmunoglobulins,proteinsthatmaygive camelmilkitsimmune-boosting properties.

It’simportantthatcamelmilkis pasteurized,whichtheHendrixes dointheirmilkingbarn.Afterwardthemilkispackagedandfrozen,andcanstaythatwayforup toayear.Hendrixsaidmostofthe milkissolddirectlytoindividual customersalloverthecountry,althoughhedoesselltoafewspecialtystoresthatcatertoSomali immigrants.

Themilkcanbeexpensive,however,costingbetween$12and$16a pint.Whilesomebreedsofcamels, especiallyAfghaniandPakistani camels,canproduceuptoeight gallonsaday,Hendrixes’dromedarycamelsproduceconsiderably less,andthathastobesharedwith thecamel’scalf.Acamelcowwill only“drop”hermilkwhenhercalf isnearby.Thedairymanhasjusta fewminutestogetaboutonegallonfromthecow,andthenthecalf getstherest.

AccordingtoCultureMagazine, acamelcansharehermilkwith thefarmerandhercalffor12—18 months.andthendriesupasher calfisweaned.

TheHendrixeshaveabouttwo dozencamelsonthefarm.Ofthose, onlynineareproducingmilknow, butKyleHendrixsaidheplansto expandtheherd.TheColoradoDe-

partmentofAgriculturelicenses theoperation,checkingitmonthly

tomakesureitmeetshealthstandards.

Acamelcowhastobeatleast fiveyearsoldbeforeshecanhave herfirstcalf,andgestationtakes12 to13months,socameldairyingis along-termventure.

It’sabiginvestment,too,with anunbredheifercostingaround $15,000,aproducingcowaround $30,000andabullaround$15,000. Comparethatwithalactatingbovinecowusedfordairycosting anywherefrom$1,500to$2,100.

Camelsareintelligent,socialanimalsandtheyseekhumancompany.Workingwiththemmeans

developingpersonalrelationships withthem.

“You’vegottogetonapersonal levelwitheachone,andjustkind ofworkwiththem,andworkwith theirpersonalities,”Hendrixsaid. Hendrixpointedoutthatthat thecamels’humpsdon’tstorewater,theystorefat.Camelscango longperiodswithinsufficientfeed andwaterandstillthrivebyburningthefatinthehump.

SomeoftheHendrixcamelshave beengentledtoride,andduring theholidayseasonthefamilylends outsomeofitsstockfor“living”nativityscenesinthearea.

JEFFRICE—JOURNAL-ADVOCATE

JEFFRICE—JOURNAL-ADVOCATE

TheCurtisfamilygathersforapictureattheColoradoStateFairin August.Thefamily’sranchhasbeeninthefamilyfor100yearsandwere namedoneoftheCentennialFarmsandRancheshonoreesatthefair.

CurtisRanchingood handsfor100years; aimsforanothercentury

ByZantReyez reyez@ prairiemountainmedia.com

Acenturyisamightylongtime agoinoursociety.Astechnologicaladvancementsappeardailyand asanothersmartcardrivesby,a plethoraofchangeshaveoccurred in100years,butnotownershipat theCurtisRanch.

Located14milessouthofBrush onCO-HWY71,theranchwasone oftheCentennialFarms&Ranches honoreesattheColoradoStateFair inAugustinPueblo.

“Mythoughtsgotothegenerationsbeforeusthatstartedthe ranchandexpandeditandwere abletokeepitgoingformygenerationandmykids’generationand thenextoneafterthat,”EmilyCurtissaid.

TheCentennialFarms&Ranches program,presentedbyHistoryColoradoandtheColoradoDepartmentofAgriculture,recognizes fourcategoriesofhonoreesassociatedwiththeagriculturalhistory oftheStateofColorado.Inorder toreceivethecentennialhonor,a farmorranchmustbekeptinthe

samefamilyfor100yearsandstill beoperational.

CurtissaidperMorganCounty records,thegenesisoftheranch wasinNovemberof1907when ChristianPetersenboughtthe landthatwouldsproutintoCurtis Ranch.Petersenandhiswifehad fourboys,twobeingMaxandPete. In1914,MaxandPetestartedbuyingmorelandinthesameareaas theirfatherusingtheHomestead Actof1862.Thetwobrotherscontinuedtobuylandintheareauntilthe1940sandendedwith5,000 acresintheirname.

Curtisprovidedatidbitabout thespellingofthePetersenname. Shesaidaccordingtolegend,the spellingofPetersenwastheDanishspelling,butwhenMaxwasin school,histeacherinformedhim itwastheincorrectway.Thecorrectwayaccordingtotheteacher was“Peterson,”andsofromthen on,thePetersensdroppedthe“E” andreplaceditwith“O.”

Withanewspellingoftheir lastname,thePetersonbrothers reachedapitchforkintheroadin the‘40s.Upuntilthattimethey

EMILYCURTIS—COURTESYPHOTO

boughtlandjointly,butdecided duringthistimetospiltupthe land.Petetookhalftheacreage whileMaxtooktheother.

Afterthetakinghishalf,Max marriedCoraClarkandtheyhad adaughternamedJuanitaPeterson;shemarriedMelvinMarwitz inthe1950s.MelvinandJuanita boughtMax’sshareofthelanda fewyearsaftertheyweremarried alongwithotherpropertiesinMorganCounty.

TheMarwitzeshadfourchildren,onebeingBonnie.In1972, BonniemarriedHowardCurtis, whowouldbuythelandfromMelvinin2006afterthepassingof Juanita.Threeofthefourchildren BonnieandHowardhadbought thelandfromthemin2017and currentlymaintainit.

AsforPete’sportion,itended upbeingpassedontoMelvinand Juanitauponhisdeathsincehe hadnofamily,accordingtoEmily.

AlongwithEmilyandherhusbandCodyCurtis,JustinandJill CurtisandLaceyandJimmyHastingsensuretheranchoperatesand ismaintainedlikepreviousgenerationsdid,allwhileeachofthem havefulltimejobs.Cody,adiesel mechanic,fixesandmaintainsthe equipmentwhileJustingrowsthe feedforthecattleduringthewinterandhelpsduringcalving.Jill assistsinbranding,Laceychecks thepasturesinthesummerand bringstheirhorsesouttomove cattletoanewpastureorgather bulls.Bonnietendstohergreatgrandchildrenandiscookingfor thewholefamilywhentheygather.

TheCurtisfamilyroundsupcattleforbrandingbackin2010ontheir5,000-acreranch.

Howard,Emilysaid,calledhimself the“feedtruckdriver”butshesaid hisknowledgeandguidancehave beenthepillarsthathaveallowed thefamilytokeeptheirranchfor acentury.

“Ijustwantedtostressthatno onepersonismainlyresponsible forthisranch,”Emilywroteinan follow-upemail.“Weallhaveapart toplayandwewouldn’tbehere withoutallofuspitchingin.”

Bonnierecalledmemoriesof roamingthepastureswithher grandfatherMaxtocheckonwindmillsontheproperty,ridinghorses andgatheringcattle.

Sincethisphotoin2008,theCurtisfamilyhasaddedmoretoitsfamily. Theyoungergenerationisinlinetotakeovertheranchinthefuture.

“It’sbeenaneatfamilyexperience,”Bonniereflectedonher memoriesandthehonorbestowed ontheranch.“I’mgladtohonor mygrandpaandgrandma,myfolks MelvinandJuanita,(and)I’mjust gladthatwe’reabletokeepitin thefamily.”

Emilysaidlotsofgenerations oftheCurtisfamilyattendedthe ceremonyinAugust,whichadded

moredelighttothedaybecausethe youngergenerationgottowitness whatthepastgenerationshave donetogettothatmoment,but moreoverlearnwhattoaspireto whenCurtisRanchisundertheir watch.

“Withtheyoungergeneration comingup,Ifullyanticipatethis willcontinueintheCurtisname formanymoreyears,”Emilysaid.

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ParryAngusstartedfromscratch

ByJeffRice jerice@ prairiemountainmedia.com

ItmaybesymbolicthatSteve andJoanneParrystartedfarmingin1976.Afterall,itwassomethingtheyhadneverdonebefore, anditwasahugeleapoffaith, evenbackthen.Itwastheyearthe UnitedStatescelebratedits200th birthdayandColoradoits100th— botheventsmarkingpeopletakingahugeleapoffaithanddoingsomethingthey’dneverdone before.

Nowtheirfarm,ParryAngus,is theninthlargestinregisteringAngusbeefcattleinColoradowith theAmericanAngusAssociation.

Itstartedintheearly1970s whenSteveParrylefthisnative Illinoisandcamewesttogoto college.HemetJoanneatNortheasternJuniorCollegeandgota jobshoeinghorsesforMiloWhitcomb.Theyoungcouplelivedin atrailerhouseontheWhitcomb propertyuntiltheycouldafford tobuytheirownplace,a40-acre farmninemilesnorthofSterling. Theymovedthetrailerhouseout tothefarmin1976andhavebeen theresince.

WithausedJohnDeere720 tractorandaborrowedfour-row planter,theParrysplantedand raisedcorn.Aneighbor,Wendell Sanders,showedStevehowtoset irrigationtubes,andtheParrys wereinthefarmingbusiness.

“Wendellprettymuchtaughtme

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Afarcryfromthehumbletrailerhouseofthe1970s,theParrysnowlivein amodestbutgracioushomeontheirfarm.

howtofarm,”SteveParrysaid.

Theybeganraisingcattlealmost immediately,learningthebusiness fromfriendsandneighborsand bystudyinganimalhusbandry. Aswithanyoperation,theParry farmhadtogrowtosucceed,and nowincludes1,500acresofcroplandand2,000acresofpasture. SonRyanandhiswifeEmilyand theirchildrenRansomandPaige livenorthofthefarmandhelp workParryAngus.

In1995theParrysdecidedtogo exclusivelywithblackAnguscattle,largelybecausetheAmerican AngusAssociationseemedtobe mosthelpfulinmarketingtheir

animals.Angusareeven-tempered andhavegoodmaternalinstincts.

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Asignonthesideofoneofthe outbuildingswelcomesvisitorsto ParryAngus.

“Angusisthegoldstandardof cattle,”Parrysaid.“Everyother breedaroundhaskindofbecome Angus(throughcrossbreeding). Charolais,Simental,theyneedthe traitsthatareinAngus.”

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Theherdconsistsofabout225 cowsand70bulls.Thebullsare rentedoutforbreedingandthe cowsareartificiallyinseminated fromoutsidetheherd.

“Ourmothercowsarethebackboneofouroperation,”Parrysaid. “Theyneedtocalveeasilyandon time,raiseabigcalfandbreed back.”

Eachcalfcropisseparatedinto threesegments,withsomebeing fedout,somesoldasbredheifers andsomeretainedasreplacement heifers.Someofthefedcattleare fattenedonthefarm,butmostgo toacustomfeeder.

It’sallalotofwork,andtheParrysspendalotoftheirtimematchingcowstobullstoproducethe bestcalvestheycan.Theanimals arescoredonanumberoftraits likebuild,maternity,andsoon, butSteveParrysaidthemostusefulisthedispositionscore.

“Dispositionishuge,”hesaid. “Mostofourcustomersareover

Saleday2018. Producersfrom alloverthe countryattend theParryAngus bullsaleevery year.

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Ryan,Emily,Paige,Joanne,RansomandSteve.

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Angus

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60yearsold,andtheydon’twant tohavetorunfromcows.”

ParryAngusisknownforits bulls,andtheParryshaveabull saleeveryMarchatthefarmand sellabout60bullsayear.Ryan Parryproducesacatalogthatgoes outtoprospectivebuyers,andaf-

terthesaletheParrysdelivermost ofthebullsthemselves

“That’sthepartIreallylike,is visitingwithourcustomers,seeing otherpeople’splaces,”Stevesaid. “Wefeelfortunatetohavebeen abletoraiseourkidsinanagriculturalenvironment.Afterall,what couldbemoreimportantthanprovidingfoodfortheworld—aswell asteachingimportantvaluessuch asworkethic,honesty,integrity andhumbleness.”

COURTESYPARRYANGUS CheckingcattleontheChimneyCanyonspasture.

FlemingFFAmembersseeing successwithlivestock,cropprojects

ByCallieJones cjones@ prairiemountainmedia.com

Theyearisjustgettingstarted andalreadyFlemingHighSchool FFAmembersarefindingsuccess.

FreshmanSavannahTaylorwent totheColoradoStateFairinAugustwithherHeiferWrangleprojectandwasnamedreservechampionwithherheifer,Twix.Shewas sponsoredbyClaytCooperofthe BankofColorado,inYuma.

TheFFAHeiferWrangleGrant Programallowsfreshmenand sophomorestoapplyforagrantto purchaseaheiferoftheirchoosing. TaylorreceivedhergrantattheNationalWesternStockShow,inJanuary,andpurchasedherheifer fromCrowderFeedlotinIliff in

thespringandinexchangeforher workingthereoverthesummer theydidnotchargeherforfeedor thehousingofheranimal.

Participantsmustkeepascrapbookwithalloftheirrecordswhile raisingtheanimal,includingjournalentries,expensereports,bimonthlyletterswrittentosponsors andbimonthlyFacebookpoststhat keepthesponsorsandotherstudentsawareofwhattheyaredoing. TheythenbringthattotheColoradoFFAStateConventioninJune forofficialstolookover.

InAugust,Taylorwasable toshowherheiferattheLogan CountyFairforthesupremeheifer contest.Whileshedidn’tplacevery wellinthatcontest,shewasableto regroupforthestatefair.

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FlemingFFAmemberSavannahTaylorispicturedwithherheifer,Twix, afterwinningreservechampionintheHeiferWranglecontestatthe2022 ColoradoStateFair.Joiningherareherparents,sponsorandColorado StateFFAOfficers.

“IwasreallynervousthatI wasn’tgoingtoplaceverywell,becauseIdidn’tplacewellatcounty, butthenIgotreservegrandchampionandIwassuperexcited,super happyandIwasreallyproudofmy heiferforbehaving,”Taylorsaid.

Forthesecondphaseoftheprogram,shewillcontinuewritingher sponsorlettersasshestartsaherd withherheifer.

“Wehadtomakesureourheiferswerebredbeforethestatefair; luckilyminewas30daysalongat thecountyfairandcloseto60duringthestatefair.So,shewillbe havingacalfinmid-April,”Taylorsaid.

Shewillthensubmitherscrapbookwithallofherrecordsforthe StateFFAConventioninJune2023, whereanoverallwinneroftheprogramwillbeannounced.

WhileTaylorhasnoplanstoenterthecattlebusinessshebelieves participatingintheheiferprogram willhelpherreachhergoalofbecomingaColoradoFFAstateoffi

FlemingFFAmemberJackBornho

hardatworkinhispotato

oneofhisfourSAE(Supervised AgriculturalExperience)projects.

cer.Sofarithasbeenwellworthit; “Igottomeetnewpeople,andexperiencenewskills,”shesaid.

AnotherFlemingFFAmember, seniorJackBornhoft,whoserves aschaptervicepresident,hasbeen workingdiligentlyonhisfourSAE

(SupervisedEducationalExperience)projectswhichincludepork production.Heraisesporkfrom about35lbs.to300lbs.andgets themprocessedandsoldentirely locallytoindividualsthroughoutNortheastColorado,aswellas FlemingSchoolDistrict.

Borhnoftalsodoespoultryproduction,raisingchickenforboth meatandeggs.Hisegg-producing chickensareraisedinapenand fedasmuchforageaspossibleto ensuretheyarehealthyaspossibleandtheywillproducehealthy eggs.Theeggsarethensoldlocally attheLoganCountyFarmer’sMarket,whichisrunbyFlemingFFA.

Chickensthatwillbeusedfor meatareraisedforuptofour weeksinabrooderandthenthey aremovedtoapasturebox,where theyeatgrass,bugs,dirtandwhateverelsetheyfind,inordertomake ahealthychicken.Thechickensare butcheredatsix,sevenandeight weeksoldandarealsosoldatthe farmer’smarket.

Bornhofthasraisedalittleover 250chickensformeatandanother 30foreggs.

Alongwiththeanimals,healso growspotatoesontwoacresat

hishomenearHaxtun.Heraises aGoldenGlobevarietyofpotatoesondryland,“whichwaskind ofatestforthisyeartoseeifit wouldwork,”hesaid.“WhatIdid isIwentandboughtsomeequipmentoverinBrushandordered seedfromRockyPotatoFarmsin theSanLuisValleyandIplanted thoseandrakedthoseupthisyear, Iactuallyharvestedaround5,000 lbs.fortwoacres.”

Hethensellshispotatoesatthe farmer’smarket,toschoolsandto individuals.Bornhoftisalsoable toselltogrocerystores,butnone haveacceptedhisofferyet.

YoucankeepupdatedonBornhoft’sanimalandcropproduction onhisDuoFarmLLCFacebook page.

Whileallofthatkeepshimbusy, healsomakestimeforaplacement SAE,workingat4SFeedinHaxtun.Hespendsthelasttwohours ofhisschooldayatthebusiness mixingfeedforgoats,sheep,pigs, chickens,cattleandhorses.

“Igettomeetwithalotoflocal farmersandloadtheirfeedupfor themandtalktothemabouthow theirfarmingpracticediffersfrom

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otherpeople’s,”Bornhoftsaid.

Atthistime,hehasrackedup closeto300hoursforhisSAEprojectsandshouldhavenoproblem earninghisStateFFADegreethis year.

Afterhighschool,thesenior planstotakeaskipyeartorunfor aColoradoFFAstateofficerpositionandthenhewillheadonto collegetolearnmoreaboutagriculture.

“Really,whenIstartedthisI didn’tknowmuchaboutproducing thesethreeproductsandworking awholelot,”Bornhoftsaid.“Then Igotstartedraisingafewthings andstartedlookingatmorestuff andreadingbooksandresearching abouteverylittlethingaboutitand figuredoutthebestwaystogrow poultry,porkandpotatoesandnow wesellthem.AndwhenIstarted workingIreallyfoundthatbenefitedmealot,becauseIworkfor somebodywho’sreallysmartwith nutritionofanimalsandwhatthe

animalsexactlyneed.”

WhileBornhofthascomealong waywithhisSAEs,othersarejust gettingstarted.

FreshmanWyattSonnenberg planstoopenayardcarebusiness,providinglawnmowingand treetrimminginthesummer,rakingleavesinthefallandscoopingsnowinthewinter.Hisgoalis togeteightcustomersinhisfirst monthandoverthenextfouryears,

hewouldliketomakeitacareer thathecanusethroughouthigh schoolandpossiblybeyond.

“Iwouldlikeittobeawellknownbusinessthatpeopletrust andlike,”Sonnenbergsaid.

Anotherfreshman,PiersonJapp, istakinghisloveofjerkyandturningitintoabusiness.Heplansto makedifferenttypesofjerky,includingbeefandgoosejerky.While hehasn’tstartedsellingyetashe isstillwaitingforsomeofthesuppliestocomein,hehopestosell10 bagsinhisfirstmonthandeventuallyhehasaloftygoalofmaking thebusinessknownacrossAmericalikeSlimJimis.

InadditiontoSAEs,thechapter asawholehasbeenbusy.

OnSept.24FlemingFFAtook 13memberstoAgDayatColorado StateUniversity,wherethestudentsvolunteeredwiththeColoradoPorkCounciltoservefood tothosethatattendedtheAgDay BBQandthenenjoyedafootball game.

“AtAgDayalotofbigproducersinColorado—pork,beef,corn, potatoes—allcometogetherand hostabarbecue,”explainedFlemingFFAPresidentLaneySchliesser. “Itwasareallyfunday.Itwasreallyincredibletogettoseehow… youlookatagricultureinColorado andwethinkit’sareallybigthing outhere,butwhenyougetintoa citylikeFortCollins,Ithinkit’s justincrediblethatpeoplestillrecognizeagricultureinbiggercities likethat,evenplaceslikeDenver. Ithoughtitwasjustreallyamazingtoseepeoplecomingtogether tocelebrateagandtherewerealot ofpeoplethere.”

PriortoAgDay,11freshmanFFA membersattendedtheBIG(Being InvolvedasaGreenhand)ConferenceonSept.22atNortheasternJuniorCollege,andlearnedall abouttheorganization.Interviews werealsoconductedthatdayfor DistrictXVIOfficerTeamandtwo Flemingstudents,Schliesserand HunterDonovan,wereselectedas vicepresidentandreporter.

Next,thechapterwillturnitsattentiontotheNationalFFAConvention,Oct.26-29,inIndianapolis,which11membersareattending.

WhentheFFAmembersgetback theywon’thavelongtowaitlong untiltheirnextevent.Thechapter willholditsannualMemberAuctionandOysterFryonThursday, Nov.3,at6:30p.m.inthesmall gym.Rockymountainoysters, chickentenders,potlucksidesand dessertswillbeserved.

Forthememberauction,each memberwilldonateeighthours oftheirtimetohelpoutthecommunity,aswillthefencing,branding,cattleworkingandyardwork teamsandtheofficerteam.

SterlingFFAkicksoff newschool yearwithlotstokeepthembusy

ByCallieJones cjones@ prairiemountainmedia.com

SterlingHighSchool’sFFAchapterisoff andgoingthisschoolyear, withplentytokeepthembusy.

AccordingtoMacieDoherty,an executivecommitteememberon theofficerteam,theyearstarted withanofficerretreatatNorth SterlingStatePark,wheretheoffi cersenjoyedsittingbythecampfire andparticipatinginteambondingactivities.Thenextmorning, theofficerswentbacktoSHSto planoutthisschoolyearandthen endedtheirretreatattheFeeders andFriendsbenefitinNewRaymer onAug.13,wheretheydidsome communityserviceservingmeals forfairattendees.

Next,thechapterheldaBackto SchoolBarbecueforallFFAmembersandtheirparents.GuestsenjoyedahamburgerdinnerandFFA officerstalkedaboutplansforthe yeartogeteverybodybackinthe swingofthings.

InSeptember,thechapterhad aboothatSugarBeetDays.They partneredwithWesternSugarCooperativeandSugarBeetGrowers Associationtosellcottoncandy andmakealittlebitofmoneyfor thechapter.

SterlingFFAmembersGrace Petersen,left,andConnie Gassawaywereselectedtoserveas executivecommitteememberand secretaryonthe2022-23District 16OfficerTeam.

Thatsamemonth,25freshmen attendedtheBIG(BeingInvolved asaGreenhand)Conferenceat NortheasternJuniorCollege.

“It’sreallyfun.Basicallysome oftheofficersthatwehaveforthe stateofColoradocomedownand kindofjustintroduceFFAalittle bittothefreshmen.WhenIwent lastyear,theyhadaleadershipsort ofthingthatwegottodoandit waskindoffunbecauseyouget tomeetandseeallofyourfriends fromlikeCaliche,Merino,andeveryonethatispartofDistrict16,” saidEmmaStumpf,anexecutive committeememberontheSter-

SterlingHighSchoolFFAchapterofficersenjoyedanightoutatNorth SterlingStateParkaspartoftheirofficerretreatbeforethestartofthe 2022-23schoolyear.

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lingofficerteam.

Alongwiththoseeventsandannualchaptermeetings,whichare slowlygettingmoreorganized, ConnieGassaway,chapterreporter, andGracePetersen,chaptersecretary,competedinacontesttoselectdistrictofficers.

“Thefirsthourwasverystressful,butmeandGracegottobond andwetalkedforalongtime,”Gassawaysaid.

Duringthecontest,candidates wereinterviewedandhadtoanswerseveralquestionsconcerningtheirqualificationsforanoffi cerposition.Attheendofthecompetition,bothgirlswereawarded spotsonthedistrictofficerteam, Gassawayasdistrictsecretaryand Petersenasdistrictexecutivecommitteemember.

OnSept.30,theSterlingFFA Mother’sClubhosteditsannual homecomingtailgate,servingup hamburgers,chips,cookiesand

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SterlingHighSchoolFFAmembersarepicturedattheirboothatSugarBeetDays,Sept.17and18,2022.They partneredwithWesternSugarCooperativeandSugarBeetGrowersAssociationtosellcottoncandyasa fundraiserforthechapter.

waterfordinnertoraisefundsfor scholarshipsforgraduatingFFAseniors.

InearlyOctober,ColoradoFFA AssociationofferedafallleadershipconferenceinFortCollins,for anyonewhowantstogoandlearn moreaboutleadership.Stumpfwas oneoffourSterlingmemberswho attendedtheevent.

“Itsoundsreallyfunfromwhat Ms.(Whitney)Reed(FFAadvisor) hastoldmeaboutit,it’sjustsomethingthatIthinkthatasachapter weshouldalldobecausewecan learnmoreaboutleadershipand howtobecomeourownperson,” Stumpfsaidalittleoveraweekbeforetheevent.

OnOct.24,PetersenandGassawaywereamong10studentswho leftonatriptoattendtheFFANationalConvention,inIndianapolis, whichrunsOct.26-29.

“Iwentlastyearanditwasreally fun.Itwasareallygoodexperience anditkindofwaslikethething thatmademereallyloveFFA,”Petersensaid.

Earlierinthemonth,onOct.18, theFFAchaptervisitedCampbell ElementaryforanAgintheClassroomadvocacyevent.Reedsaidthe fourthgradeteachersreachedout toSterlingFFAtoseeiftheywould beinterestedindoinganAgDay forthefourthgraders,soFFAmembersbroughtlivefarmanimalsand cropstoshowtheelementarystudentsandspoketothemaboutthe importanceofagriculture—“why wedowhatwedoandwhatopportunitiestheycanpotentiallyhave astheygetolderandjoinhigh

schoolandmoveontocareers,” Reedsaid.

Anothernewereventplannedfor thisyearisachaptercreedspeakingandquizbowlcontest,which willgiveFFAmembersanopportu-

nitytospeakandpresentthecreed andthenhopefullylatergoonto thedistrictcontest.

Asfarasclasses,thissemester ReedisteachingtwosectionsofIntroductiontoAgriculture,with47 freshmenenrolled.Shealsohasone PrinciplesofPower,Structureand TechnicalSystemsclass,with28 students.Thestudentsinthatclass startedtheyearbydemonstrating theirwoodworkingcreativity,havingbeengiventheoptionofusing a2×4,2×6or1×6boardtomakea self-determinedproject.

“Ihaveabout100kidsinour FFAchapter,sowe’vegrownalittlebitwhichisexcitingandwe’ve justbeenbusylearningaboutag andFFAandallofthethingsin theshop,soit’sbeenexciting,”Reed said.

RiverStationprovidesafriendlyand cleanenvironmentalongwithgreat customerservice.TheyofferHuntBrothers Pizza,LauerKrauts,awidevarietyof colddrinks,fountaindrinksandcoffee. Theyalsohaveagreatselectionofa widevarietyofsnacks.

RiverStationCustomersarewhatmaketheir businessrun.Theyappreciatethemvery muchandareverythankfulforallofthem overtheyears.

Don’tforgettolikeusonFacebook. Visitthestoreat1912Highway6or call970-622-7611

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TheSterlingHighSchoolFFAChapterOfficerTeamservedlunchattheannualFeeders&FriendsBenefit Saturday,Aug.13,inNewRaymer.

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FFAmemberAlieSatorholdsupthe woodworkingprojectsshemade inSterlingHighSchool’sPower, StructureandTechnicalSystems class.

“Iwentlastyear anditwasreally fun.Itwasareally goodexperience anditkindofwas likethethingthat mademereallylove FFA.”

—GracePetersen,chaptersecretary ontheFFANationalConvention

CalicheFFAgettingbackto normalwithlotsofactivities

ByAvaHernandez,Makenna ArmstrongandStormyLyons CalicheFFA

Itseemedthatweweregetting backtonormalaswehadournew officerselectionbeforeschoolgot outinthespringof2022.Thenew officerteamconsistsofPresident AdenYoung,VicePresidentStormy Lyons,SecretaryChanceMitchell, TreasurerBraylonBruns,Sentinel JoeLyons,Reporter(s)Makenna ArmstrongandAvaHernandez, ParliamentarianJordanGerkand ExecutiveCommitteeKarliGreen andHaydonLynch.

InAugust,severalstudents

showedtheirlivestockduringthe LoganCountyFairandRodeo.On thenightoftheJuniorRodeo,they hadthepresidentsofthefivearea FFAchaptersintroducethemselves duringtheGrandEntry.

Wealsohadagreatshowingin theAgMechanicscontest.Jordan Gerktookablueribbonwithher AdirondackchairandZanderYost tookablueribbonwithhisVYsawhorses.

OnAug.11,theFFAchapteroffi certeamhaditsfirstlunchmeeting.Wediscussedabunchoftopics thattheFFAchapterwantstodo. Wealsodecidedonouractivities

CalicheHighSchoolFFAmembersMakennaArmstrong,StormyLyons, BraylonBrunsandJoeLyonsservefoodattheFeedersandFriendsRanch RodeoandBenefitAuctiononAug.13,2022.

Thurs,Jan5

Fri,Nov4

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Breds&Pairs

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fortheProgramofActivitiesthat wewillworkfromthisyear,mostof whichhasbeendoneovertheyears butsomeoftheeventswerenew. Forexample,wekissedthepig.The studentsreallyenjoyedthat.

OnAug.13,ourchaptersenta delegationtohelpwiththeAnnual FeedersandFriendsRanchRodeoandBenefitAuction.ThedelegationwasmadeupofMakenna Armstrong,StormyLyons,Braylon BrunsandJoeLyons.

TheAnnualB.I.G.Conference washeldatNortheasternJunior collegeonSept.22.TheBIGConferencestandsforBecomingInvolved asaGreenhand.Alongwiththe conference,ourFFADistrictheld itsannualOfficerSelection.After interviewingallofthecandidates adecisionwasmadeonwhowould leadtheDistrict16FFAandour ownAdenYoungwasselectedas theExecutiveCommitteeMember.

Earlierthismonth,Oct.4-7CalicheJr/SrHighSchoolhadtheir homecomingweek.

Theirfirstdress-updaywasdecadesdaywheremanyofthestudentshadagreattimedressing up.TheseconddaywasAmerica daywherethestudentscouldshow theirpatriotism.Thethirddaywas picturedayandformalwear.Finally,Fridaywasblackandgold dayalongwiththehomecoming floats.(FFAwasinchargeofthe homecomingfloat.)

Itisanannualtraditionthat theAg-EdIclassputontheMini FloatParade.Theygetjudges,determinethecategories,makethe certificatesandofcoursedevelop

afloatfortheparade.

Thestudentsreallyenjoyedhavingtheirhomecomingandlooking forwardtoyearstocome.

Thisyearthenewfreshmenin theAg-EdIclassareHallieLewis, ZacharyYost,CharlieJulius,Hailey

Sommerfield,AmmanAdolf,Riley Hosa,andRoyalDedrickson.

Thesophomoresinthisyear’s AgareJordanGerk,AvaHernandez,ZanderYost,ClintRockwell, DaltonBlizard,JoeLyons,Ayden Sager,BraylonBruns,ShealynEs-

trada,andHaydenLynch.

Thisyear’sJuniorsareOrran Adolf,AydenRing,ChanceMitchell,DylanHarms,PeytonWerth, AlexBecker,RavenMorrison,John Reyes,andLandonBell.

TheSeniorclassincludes MakennaArmstong,KarliGreen, StormyLyons,AdenYoung,Ben Breidenbach,AustinDallegge,KalebDuncan,andElizabethKahler.

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MerinoFFAstartsyear withmanyaccomplishments

ByMakennaSutter MerinoFFAReporter

Merino’sFFAChapterhas startedthenewschoolyearwith manyaccomplishments.

Thisyear’sofficerteamconsists ofTobi-BethErickson,President; CooperDewitt,VicePresident;BaileyErickson,Secretary;Jackson Samber,Treasurer;MakennaSutter,Reporter;KadenPiel,Sentinel; threeExecutiveCommitteemembers,ChanelleGentry,GraceWernsman,andSlayterGoss;andthe advisor,Mr.ToddEverhart.

Thissummer,fivemembersre-

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MerinoHighSchoolFFAmembers CooperDewittandTobi-Beth EricksonwereelectedFFADistrict XVIPresidentandSocialMedia Coordinator.

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AndyBartlett,aprecisionagtraineratTrimbleInc.andformerMerino FFAmember,talkstocurrentMerinoFFAmembersduringapresentation earlierthisfall.

Merino

ceivedtheirstateFFAdegrees: TarynGoss,AmandaThorpe, ChanceEverhart,ZachBattand DerrickAlber.TobiBethErickson andCooperDewittrepresentedour chapterasdelegatesattheState FFAConventioninPuebloinJune.

InSeptember,14freshmenattendedtheBIG(BecomingInvolvedasaGreenhand)conference.OurFFAdistrictalsoheld ourdistrictofficerelectionsatthe BIGconference.CooperDewittwas electedtheFFADistrictXVIPresidentandTobiBethEricksonwas electedthesocialmediacoordinator.

OnOct.1,numerousMerinoFFA membersattendedtheMerinoFall FestivalandrodeontheFFAfloat.

Also,threeMerinoFFAmembersarebeingawardedthehighest degreethatanFFAmembercanreceive.TateEverhart,TannerHutt andJakeHettingerwillbereceivingtheirAmericanFFAdegreeat theNationalFFAConventioninIndianapolis.

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MerinoHighSchoolFFAmembersarepicturedattheBIG(BeingInvolvedasaGreenhand)FFAConferenceSept. 22,2022.

LoganCountyCattlewomen bringingbackbestofthepast

ByJeffRice jerice@ prairiemountainmedia.com

TheLoganCountyCattlewomen wasfoundedalittlemorethana yearagowhentwowomendeeply involvedinthecattlebusinessdecideditwastimetospeakupabout theindustrytheylove.BrittPratt, whoispartofMcEndafferCattleCo.,andNikiWernsman,who ranchesnorthwestofSterlingwith herhusbandBrett,decidedtotake therealfactsaboutthelivestock industryouttothepublic.

Wernsmansaidit’samatter ofeducatingconsumersabout thesafetyandanimalhusbandry practicesofraisingandprocessingmeatanimals,especiallycattle.

“Idon’tgettodowhatIdoif there’snotaconsumer,”Wernsmansaid.

Sheacknowledgedthehard workbeingdonebygroupslike ColoradoLivestockAssociation, ColoradoCattlemen’sAssociation andFarmBureautoeducateconsumers,butsaidthatitoccurred toherandPrattthatwomen,who makemostofthefooddecisionsin mostfamilies,wouldlistenmoreto otherwomen.

“ThisiswhatIfeedmyfamily, thisiswhatIfeedmykids,andif itwasn’tsafeforthem,Iwouldn’t feedittothem,”shesaid.“Theinformationgoingouttosuburban momswasn’tcomingfromusanymore,itwascomingfromanimal

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activists who don’t really know what we do.”

Pratt said she and Wernsman had talked about re-starting a lo cal cattlewomen’s group for some time. They knew there had once been a vocal advocacy group for the livestock industry in Logan County and thought they’d like to revive the concept. They saw increasing pressure on their industry by anti-livestock extremists who accused animal agriculture of ev erything from torturing animals to causing global climate change. When Gov. Jared Polis appointed an anti-livestock activist to the state veterinary board, and then signed on with the 2021 Meat-Out movement while animal rights ex tremists were circulating petitions for an initiative that would effec tively destroy animal agriculture in Colorado, the two best friends decided it was time to act.

“It was all of those things com ing together, and we just felt like,

it was time to really do some thing,” Pratt said. “We believe in free choice, but choices should be made from facts, and we want the true facts out there.”

Their first move was to set up a booth at the 2021 Meat-In event or ganized by Jason Santomaso and the Sterling Livestock Commission Co. They were overwhelmed with the response.

“We signed up most of our mem bers, probably 70 people, that day,” Pratt said. “We just got awesome support from the community.”

In the year that followed, the group began meeting regularly and celebrated their first year with an annual meeting in March. Later that month the group grilled steaks at the Colorado Capitol for legisla tors, reviving a tradition that had faded away. Gov. Polis showed up, had a steak, and stayed around to

talk with the women about their industry.

Now the LCCW are reviving a one-time staple of the beef indus try in northeast Colorado.

The LCCW, in conjunction with the Washington County Cattle women’s Association, is sponsor ing the first of what they hope will be an annual Heifer Feed ing Contest. The contest will help raise funds for the cattlewomen to award scholarships — Logan County Cattlewomen awarded $4,000 in scholarships earlier this year — and to raise awareness of the beef industry in northeast Col orado.

“We wanted to start a lit tle friendly competition, mostly among the producers, but also for anyone who wants to enter,” Wer nsman said.

The contest involves partici

pants entering weaned heifers to be held in a separate pen and fed identical rations for between 180 and 220 days. Winners will be de termined by daily rate of gain and carcass value. Heifers will be deliv ered to McEndaffer Feedyard near Merino on Nov. 12.

At the conclusion of the con test, the cattle will be processed by Cargill’s beef plant in Fort Mor gan, and the assessment of Cargill staff will be used to determine car cass value. There will be cash pay outs, buckles and the all-important bragging rights.

If all of this sounds familiar, it should. The Heifer Feeding Con test bears a family resemblance to the Great Western Beef Expo, which ran for nearly 40 years and was headquartered in Sterling. Wernsman said the rules are mod eled after the Yuma County Cattle men’s Association’s annual feeding contest.

While the contest is aimed pri marily at area beef producers, any one can enter. LCCW will put in terested participants in touch with a local producer. Heifers can be owned by individuals, partner ships or companies.

“We believe in free choice, but choices should be made from facts, and we want the true facts out there.”

— Britt Pratt, of McEndaffer Cattle Co.

CDA supports next generation of ag leaders

By Colorado Department of Agriculture

The Colorado Department of Agriculture is launching a new grant program to support the next generation in agriculture through scholarships, career development, and other leadership training op portunities.

The NextGen Leadership grant program will provide funding to agricultural organizations and educational institutions that sup port developmental and training opportunities for people going into the broad and diverse agricultural industry.

“The Colorado Department of Agriculture is focused on support ing the next generation in agricul ture by expanding access to learn ing and leadership opportunities,” said Tom Lipetzky, Director of the Markets Division at the Colorado

Department of Agriculture. “Agri culture is a critical industry and this program aims to support not just the next generation of farm ers and ranchers, but also people trained in the biosciences, nutri tion, meat science, veterinary sci ence, agronomy, soil health, engineering, food safety, technology, product development, marketing, and logistics.”

Programs qualifying for Next Gen Ag Leadership grants must help lead new people into careers in the food and agriculture indus try and help prepare them to be come the industry’s leaders of to morrow and beyond. Applications will be accepted from agricultural organizations and educational in stitutions that can show their pro posed programs meet one or more of CDA’s strategic program prior ities (individuals are not eligible to apply).

The NextGen Ag Leadership

program priorities include:

• Developing individual lead ership and/or entrepreneurial skills. Examples might include es tablished leadership and training programs.

• Enhancing organizational leadership and capacity building. Examples might include agricultural organizations seeking to de velop leaders internally.

• Creating educational and/or training opportunities. Examples might include foundations provid ing NextGen educational and/or training, conferences wanting to offer scholarships, or community colleges and other educational en tities offering financial assistance for youth pursuing education in a food or agricultural program.

Grant applications are ac cepted digitally until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7. You can apply at ag.colorado.gov/nextgen. A CDA committee will review the applica

tions and make recommendations to the Colorado Agricultural Com mission for approval. CDA antici pates that winning applicants will be notified by Dec. 16.

This year’s application and grant period are on a shortened timeline. Beginning in 2023, this grant program will begin accepting applications annually. In fu ture years, the application period will be in the Spring with a May deadline and awards set to dis tribute funds with the start of the state fiscal year, July 1.

More information about the pro gram, including the link to the on line application, can be found at ag.colorado.gov/nextgen.

If you have additional questions about this program, please reach out to Alison Williams Helm, Pro gram Manager, at alison.williamshelm@state.co.us. You can down load a PDF flier about the program at https://bit.ly/3MidJ1T.

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