Karina Jones is a real-life ranch wife in the Nebraska Sandhills and one of the most highly sought-after speakers in the cattle industry nationwide!
For many, 4-H becomes a way of life, for the rest of their life. Thanks for celebrating National 4-H Week with me right here on Ranch Raised.
As I reminisce about growing up in this organization, I can’t help but think of how it molded me into the human I am today. Living the 4-H pledge outload, every day, is one of my greatest accomplishments! Let me share that pledge with you. “I pledge my head to clearer thinking.” I was a livestock judging competitor growing up. It is hands down my favorite 4-H memory. My team and I got to proudly represent the state of Nebraska at the national competition in Louisville, KY. That was a huge accomplishment for some small fries from little ole western Nebraska! Livestock judging is the ultimate critical thinking and communication development exercise.
To some the idea of sewing a dress or pair of pants seems so outdated, but the skills I learned from sewing are timeless. To learn how to take the words of instruction from a pattern and execute them is an accomplishment. If you are going to sew, you better expect to be challenged. I learned to problem solve, which sometimes required walking away from the project for a few hours to clear my head and coming back with a new mindset to take on the challenge.
“I pledge my head to clearer thinking.” 4-H sharpens a child’s critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, some of the greatest skills I carried forward, even today. The ribbons will fade, the trophies will collect dust, but the skills you gain are yours to keep and develop forever.
Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 4 children near Broken Bow, NE. She grew up in western NE, with roots also in southwest SD. The cattle industry and raising kids is her passion.
Watching the cattle industry go the path that it has gone, she could no longer sit quietly at home checking cows, fixing fence, and doing all the everyday tasks wondering when some else was going to make it all better. As she became more active and outspoken on industry issues, she was asked to join the R-CALF USA staff in September 2020 as the Checkoff Petition Campaign manager. That position transcended into her current role as full time Field Director for R-CALF USA.
You can hear her almost every Friday on Your Ag Network’s Hot Barn Report, where she deep dives into cattle industry issues and industry reforms. Listen to Ranch Raised on a Your Ag Network hometown station or www.youragnetwork.com where she talks about her daily life on the Jones Ranch.
Cattle producers are her people. She will meet you at the county fair, at the sale barn, or anywhere the dusty trail leads.
[email protected] or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
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