App lications Needed for Fall: GrowinG Inte r nship Program 2023

Growing Beginning Farmers & Ranchers in Wyoming

The GrowinG Internship Program is extending our internship season. We are excited to offer the potential for Fall 2023 internships. Internships are funded through a USDA Beginning Farmers and Ranchers grant, offering education and practical experience to qualified applicants. “GrowinG strives to provide hands-on internships at working farms and ranches to beginning farmers and ranchers, in cooperation with state producer organizations and educational institutions,” explained Kendra Faucett, Program Coordinator.

production year for comparison and enter the coverage percentages in the desired intervals (50 percent May‑Jun; 50 percent Jul‑Aug).

Our team is looking to connect selected hosts and interns for ten-weeks between September 1st and the end of December. The specific dates will be set by host/intern availability and the GrowinG coordinator. Interested interns and site hosts are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Clicking the Calculate button at the bottom of the table generates the estimated overall coverage, premium costs and estimated indemnities based on the production year selected. The ability to compare coverages and potential indemnities can be useful to examine what indemnity payments would have been in past drought years, as well as evaluate how helpful RI‑PRF insurance might be in production year for comparison and enter the coverage percentages in the desired intervals (50 percent May‑Jun; 50 percent Jul‑Aug).

The program provides $5,000 stipends for a 10-week work experience. Eligible applicants are 18 years or older who identify as ready to begin farming or who have been involved in managing their own farm or ranch enterprise for fewer than 10 years.

Interns

Important Considerations

Clicking the Calculate button at the bottom of the table generates the estimated overall coverage, premium costs and estimated based on the production year selected. The ability to compare coverages and potential indemnities can be useful to examine what indemnity payments would have been in past drought years, as well as evaluate how helpful RI‑PRF insurance might be in getting through those years.

Important Considerations

Selected interns will assist a Wyoming ranch/farm with daily activities, while learning from the owner/manager and others. Interns also take part in at least one agricultural educational event, such as a UW Extension meeting, during their internship.

“This week has been the start of learning how to tan a hide ... we went through a stack of hides and I chose a black and tan, an Icelandic ewe from the herd.” 2023 Summer Intern

There are several important factors to consider when analyzing potential RI‑PRF coverage. First, remember that the rainfall received on a specific site may not be indicative of the final rainfall index calculated; it is possible to receive an indemnity with rainfall or vice versa. Second, coverage must be purchased for periods where rainfall is most critical to forage production by selecting the appropriate index intervals. Third, total RI‑PRF coverage results from a combination of the levels selected for maximum coverage, productivity level and insured acres. The level of coverage provided should be balanced against the value you estimate the harvested forage is worth.

There are several important factors to consider when analyzing potential RI‑PRF coverage. First, remember that the rainfall received on a specific site may not be indicative of the final rainfall index calculated; it is possible to receive an indemnity with rainfall or vice versa. Second, coverage must be purchased for periods where rainfall is most critical to forage production by selecting the appropriate index intervals. Third, total RI‑PRF coverage results from a combination of the levels selected for maximum coverage, productivity level and insured acres. The level of coverage provided should be balanced against the value you estimate the harvested forage is worth.

“Short work summaries submitted weekly help the intern reflect on day-to-day work and educational experiences throughout the internship,” noted Ben Rashford one of the project co-directors. (See at GrowinG-WY.org/post/Intern_Tales)

Hosts

“I’d like to call myself a well-rounded person who’s seen a little bit of everything, but working sheep is a new frontier for me.”

2023 Summer Intern

Selected hosts agree to provide room and board for the internship experience. Hosts work with the intern to provide safe and educational learning experiences, keeping in mind their learning objectives when possible. “We encourage interns and potential hosts to apply now” said John Hewlett project co-director. “A state committee will help select candidates and match interns with host sites, beginning in mid-August.”

When evaluating coverage, it is also important to remember that the goal is not to maximize potential indemnities. We frequently see producers fall into this trap. RI‑PRF is insurance, not a guaranteed payout. Instead, the goal should be to purchase coverage that will provide some level of guaranteed revenue if drought conditions occur. Finally, reduced premium rates are available to individuals who qualify as beginning or veteran farmers and ranchers. More information and details, including a premium cost estimator, are available at rma.usda.gov.

Applications

When evaluating coverage, it is also important to remember that the goal is not to maximize potential indemnities. We frequently see producers fall into this trap. RI‑PRF is insurance, not a guaranteed payout. Instead, the goal should be to purchase coverage that will provide some level of guaranteed revenue if drought conditions occur. Finally, reduced premium rates are available to individuals who qualify as beginning or veteran farmers and ranchers. More information and details, including a premium cost estimator, are available at rma.usda.gov.

Online application forms for Fall 2023 internships are available at GrowinG-WY.org . The site offers background information on the overall project, as well as links to collections of helpful resources and materials for beginning farmers and ranchers.

For More Information

For More Information

For more information, contact the GrowinG Internship Program at information@GrowinG-WY.org or GrowinG-WY.org .

“We rotate both groups every three days or more to keep our pastures healthy and regenerative. We have to keep a pretty detailed account of our pasture rotations by entering the rotations into an excel sheet”

2023 Summer Intern

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage - Rainfall Index insurance (RI-PRF) is the most subscribed federal crop insurance available in Wyoming. Covering forage losses due to drought, it can be an important part of managing risk on a farm or ranch. For more information on RI-PRF coverage, visit a local crop insurance agent or rma.usda.gov. Further risk management resources related to drought and other topics can be found at RightRisk.org

Pasture, Rangeland, Forage - Rainfall Index insurance (RI-PRF) is the most subscribed federal crop insurance available in Wyoming. Covering forage losses due to drought, it can be an important part of managing risk on a farm or ranch. For more information on RI-PRF coverage, visit a local crop insurance agent or rma.usda.gov. Further risk management resources related to drought topics at (307) 766‑2166

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July 1-10

Laramie Jubilee Days, Laramie. For more information, visit laramiejubileedays.org

July 7-15 Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, Casper. For more information, visit centralwyomingfair.com

July 10 University of Wyoming Extension Geodome Building Workshop, 8 a.m., Boys and Girls Club, Douglas. For more information, contact Jeff Edwards at jedward4@uwyo.edu or call 307-837-2956.

July 10-11 U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Inaugural Summer Business Meeting, Reno, Nev. For more information, visit uscattlemen.org/meeting_registration

July 11 High Plains Journal’s Cattle U, Manhattan, Kan. For more information, visit cattleu.net or contact Kylie Reiss at kreiss@hpj.com or Lacey Vilhauer at lvilhauer@hpj.com.

July 11 Wyoming Air Quality Advisory Board Public Meeting, 9 a.m., online via Zoom or in Cheyenne. For more information, contact Amber Potts at 307777-2489.

July 11 Northeast Wyoming Beef Production Workshop, 6-8 p.m., Weston County Fairgrounds, Newcastle. For more information, e-mail mmost@uwyo.edu or call 307-684-7522.

July 11-14 University of Wyoming Extension Geodome Building Workshop, 7:30 a.m., Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, contact Jeff Edwards at jedward4@uwyo.edu or call 307-837-2956.

July 11-15 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information or to buy tickets, visit pikespeakorbust.org

July 12 Northeast Wyoming Beef Production Workshop, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Johnson County Fairgrounds Community Building, Buffalo. For more information, e-mail mmost@uwyo.edu or call 307-684-7522.

July 12 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Environmental Stewardship Day and Tour, Big Creek Ranch, Encampment. For more information, contact the Wyoming Stock Growers Association at 307-638-3942.

July 12-16 2023 Wyoming Quarter Horse Cowboy Summer Classic, Wyoming State Fairgrounds, Douglas. For more information, visit wqha.org

July 14 University of Wyoming Extension Sheep and Goats Artificial Insemination Class, 1-4 p.m., Campbell County and Fremont County Extension offices. For more information, contact the Campbell County Extension Office at 307682-7281 or the Fremont County Extension Office at 307-332-1018.

July 15 Class of 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Colorado Springs, Colo. For more information, call Ashley Johnson at 719-528-4732.

July 15 Albany County CattleWomen Ranch Tour, Laramie. For more information, visit wyaccw.com or call 307-760-5590.

July 15-22 Converse County Fair, Douglas. For more information, visit conversecountyfair.com

July 21-30 Weston County Fair, Newcastle. For more information, visit westoncountyfair.com

July 22 Cowgirls of the West Annual Fundraiser, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Little America Hotel and Resort, Cheyenne. For more information, visit cowgirlsofthewestmuseum.com

July 22-29 Crook County Fair, Sundance. For more information, visit crookcofair.com

July 22-29 Washakie County Fair, Worland. For more information, visit washakiecountyfair.com

July 22-30 Teton County Fair, Jackson. For more information, visit tetoncountyfair.com

July 23-29 101st Annual Days of 76, Deadwood, S.D. For more information, visit daysof76.com

July 23-Aug. 7 Johnson County Fair, Buffalo. For more information, visit johnsoncountyfairgrounds.com

July 24-29 Park County Fair, Powell. For more information, visit parkcountyeventsandfair.com/park-county-fair

Big

Worland, WY

July 10-12

July 10-14

Western Video Market, Silver Legacy, Reno, Nev., 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

Superior Livestock Auction Week in the Rockies, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

July 22 South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Premium Yearling Ewe Sale, Magness Livestock Auction, Huron, S.D., 406-581-7772, sdsheepgrowers.org

July 24-26

Northern Livestock Video Auction Summertime Classic, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

July 31-Aug. 4 Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale, Winnemucca, Nev., 800-4222117, superiorlivestock.com

Aug. 8-9 Cattle Country Video Oregon Trail Classic Sale, Gering Civic Center, Gering, Neb., 888-322-8853, cattlecountryvideo.com

Aug. 12 HK Yak Ranch Live and Online Auction, Buffalo Livestock Marketing, 970462-6551, contact@hkyakranch.com, buffalolivestockwyo.com

Aug. 14-15 Western Video Market, Little America, Cheyenne, 530-347-3793, wvmcattle.com

Aug. 21-22 Northern Livestock Video Auction Early Fall Preview, 866-616-5035, northernlivestockvideo.com

Aug. 21-25 Superior Livestock Auction Big Horn Classic, Sheridan, 800-422-2117, superiorlivestock.com

Aug. 26 Nebraska Quarter Horse Classic Performance Horse Sale, Ogallala Livestock Auction Market, Ogallala, Neb., 319-795-4649, 308-289-2508, 308-458-9685

Aug. 26-29 Lauing Mill Iron L Ranch 2023 QH Production Sale, online only, prohorseservices.com/internet-auctions/, 605-347-6193, 605-280-0698, 605-2800398, lauingmillironlranch.com

Aug. 27 RQHBA Horse Sale, Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche, S.D., 605-3473294, 605-639-9482, rqhba.com

Sept. 2 Proffit Ranch 22nd Annual Labor Day Horse Sale, Diamond X Ranch, Evanston, 307-723-5857, proffitranch.blogspot.com

Sept. 1-3 PRQHBA 46th Annual Futurity and Horse Sale, Powder River County Fairgrounds, Broadus, Mont., 406-853-3554, sales@prqhba.com

POSTCARD from the Past

Compiled by Dick Perue rrichardperue@gmail.com

State Rings With Cowboy Poetry and Music

Summer brings a rash of cowboy gatherings, rodeos, ranch events, cowboy music and poetry outings. And best of all, it brings a flood of memories of years past when cowboys were cowboys and family gatherings were something special.

One of Wyoming’s top attractions of the summer is the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering July 14-16 in Encampment. In addition to cowboy poetry starring Andy Nelson from Pinedale and cowboy music, the event features three shows, a campfire jam session, Dutch oven cooking, a songwriting workshop, grub, ranch breakfast and cowboy church.

One can see this advertisement in this week’s Wyoming Livestock Roundup

This public service announcement was snuck into this week’s Postcard by the writer of this column, who just happens to be a 20-year committee member and one of the founders of the gathering in Encampment.

Today, it seems many folks call themselves cowboys, but have never rode the range or punched a cow. Others recall the past with a tall tale, a “windy,” old photographs or a poem.

A lot of Wyoming folks will relate with this poem by Roy Welton of Saratoga entitled “Let’s Pretend We’re Cowboys.”

It goes: Let’s pretend we’re cowboys and ride the range once more, and wear our hat – big at that –just like we did before.

Hoop and holler driving cows and swinging our ropes at heels, spurring our horse through the creek, and remember how it feels!

Eat some dust till sundown and get so tired we stall, slappin’ leather and fightin’ weather the memories tell it all!

Stop for grub on a hillside and gaze at the flats below, red cows on green grass and then, you’ll begin to know.

Why you still remember the days when you were young, driving a team, while you dream, over a wagon tongue.

As time slipped by somewhere we still miss the coyote call.

Let’s pretend we’re cowboys, for a day – let’s just recall!

If you make it to the gathering, stop by and say hi. I’ll be at the Friday evening and Saturday afternoon shows telling off-color stories and handing out goods, including raffle tickets for the framed print shown in this week’s column.

Since its start, the Grand Encampment Cowboy Gathering has featured a drawing by a Wyoming artist. For the past 18 years, this artist has been R. G. Finney of Riverside. For the first time, he has sketched and donated a painting of a Native American instead of a cowboy. He calls it the “Restless Prize.” During the gathering, someone will take this framed painting home. Photo courtesy of Lynn and R. G. Finney. Historical Reproductions by Perue