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!
Mr Dale Carnegie once said, “Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of their listeners.”
Last night I was “all ears” listening to some young 4-H public speakers tell me all about what they have learned in 4-H. I learned about Lucy’s lambs, Kennedy’s bucket calf, Lillian’s 4-H lessons, Maysa’s community service, Ryan’s woodworking, and Nicole’s cat. They were so invested in their stories I couldn’t take my eyes and ears off of them.
I was sitting there thinking, “If I get a lamb, I’m naming it Buddy.” “I wonder if my cat thinks about me like Nicole’s cat thinks about her?” “I should probably do more community service projects like Maysa!”
I was so proud of all of the kids, including a couple of my girls, one who was competing and my oldest who was using what she had learned in this very contest and was giving back by emceeing the event.
Last night reminded me that every child has a story to tell. While I am a total proponent of public speaking contests in 4-H and FFA, encouraging a child’s imagination and storytelling ability really starts at home, in the classroom, and in everyday life.
Getting up in front of a crowd to recant a special story or life experience is a building block in a child’s skill foundation. Never miss an opportunity to help a child grow their public speaking skills. As our judge told the audience last night, “it is the one skill you will take with you no matter what path you take in life!”
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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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