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!
Welcome back to a brand new week, right here on Ranch Raised.
As I watch social media and all that is going on around me, there are some very positive things happening among our youth.
I’m watching kids compete hard in the rodeo arena looking to punch their ticket to the national high school and jr high finals. Some are humbled in that arena dirt and others have lived another month to compete for their dreams.
Kids are competing in the livestock show arena with their projects that they have been working on for months. But, nothing makes my heart swell more than when I’m witnessing older kids helping younger kids in peewee showmanship! I know it seems so simple and nondescript, but in today’s world, I have deep pride to see this simple act of selflessness and mentorship taking place when these older kids grab a lawn chair and go sit under a fan, back in the barn, surrounding themselves with those young on lookers.
I just thought I would take this time to recognize the character building I am seeing in the youth that I choose to surround myself with. Sportsmanship, humility, courage, respect, mentorship and kindness are not taught in a classroom seat or in a book.
I loudly applaud the parents who see value in these activities to build these strengths in our young people. Infact, if there are any young people listening, I encourage you to thank your parents, coaches, and mentors who are driving you to games, practices, shows, and rodeos. And it wouldn’t hurt to unload the dishwasher and put in a load of laundry to show your appreciation, as well.
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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