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!
In light of the winter storm that has blown in and blanketed much of the Midwest, I think we better have a friendly chat. Thanks for tuning in to Ranch Raised.
Winter comes around every year, right? Why do we get so caught off guard with the first winter storm? Okay, maybe I am just speaking for myself. Since many are busting drifts and dodging winter roads now, I thought it was appropriate, especially ahead of the holiday travel season to send out some friendly reminders.
It is high time to do a little maintenance checklist. Are those tires, batteries, and windshield wipers up to snuff? Do you have blankets and a winter weather emergency kit in the trunk? Always keep your gas tank as close to full as possible. Do tell others of your travel plans.
Once you are ready to get on the road, allow extra time. Check road conditions online. Be alert and avoid any distractions. Allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you especially if it is a truck or snow plow. Anticipate oncoming snow plows and trucks that may throw up extra snow and moisture and slow down if you need to.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you are stranded it is best to stay with your vehicle until the storm passes. Make sure that your exhaust pipe is unobstructed to avoid carbon monoxide backing up into the cab of the vehicle.
I think one of most important things we need to do this time of year is have this conversation with the young drivers in our family! That emergency kit, ice scrapper, and small shovel would make a perfect Christmas present for a young driver. Reinforce that no text is more important that arriving at their destination safely, so put the phone down.
Let’s all do our part to keep ourselves, others on the road, and our first responders out of danger this winter season.
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.
[email protected] or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
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