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!
Happy New Year! Thanks for joining up with me on Ranch Raised in 2026.
I really can not believe it is only Thursday! It is kinda like the winter break that never ends. I used to dread Christmas break being over and sending the kids back to school, but now that everyone is homeschooled here, I am looking forward to getting back into our rhythm and routine!
We have enjoyed a holiday break from the books for a few days as we were going in multiple directions meeting up with family. We might not have dove into spelling and math everyday, but we did finish our Advent devotion, so that is a “win”! We bounced around northwest NE the last week or so, meeting up for different family get togethers. Yesterday we met up with family and friends for a few hours of swimming at the Chadron aquatic center, which I highly recommend!
Last night we rang in the new year, surrounded by family, at my cousin’s wedding reception. The kids had a blast, of course, and the rest of us are a bit tired today. My OK family heads back to the land red dirt today. I loaded them up with Jones Ranch bounty that we raised and preserved with our own hearts salsa, pickled peppers and a bunch of pickles! I enjoy serving my family with talents and knowledge that I have been blessed with.
And that might be the strongest theme of the last week, family. With our new move this year, we are much closer to my family who loves to gather. 2026 will be a year of making memories with our family!
Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 4 children near Merriman, 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 former role as full time Field Director for R-CALF USA.
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.
karina@youragnetwork.com or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
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