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!
Thanks for starting your week with me right here on Ranch Raised!
This past weekend, our girls took part in a cattle show that was just a little different than just any other show. There were families helping other families. There was comradery, healthy competition, and helping hands at every turn.
There was a beef management contest that our girls took part in which tested their knowledge in feed products, medication labels, equipment, breeds of cattle, and meat science. Our kids have never seen such an in-depth contest, so it was a great experience and they learned a lot.
The show has some really phenomenal sponsors that are very generous to the kids, but the most telling investment most of them made was the investment of their time and interest in these young cattle producers. Many of them were a part of a rotation that allowed the kids to visit their booth and learn not only more about the products they represent but also about the career and the path that led them there.
I watched as feed reps, cattle show product reps, welders, agronomists, and others gave these kids lessons about building relationships, professionalism, career development, and so much other valuable advice. They could have totally taken that time to try and sell feed or their products to these kids, but instead they sold a vision and skills.
I think we can all take time to remember that every kid is just one caring adult away from being a success story. I witnessed so many examples of that this weekend and as a mom, I couldn’t be more thankful to be raising our kids among the people that we do!
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Karina ranches with her husband, Marty, and 3 daughters 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 that is broadcast on 60 radio stations with coverage in 9 states, where she deep dives into cattle industry issues and highlights R-CALF’s work on 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 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
