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!
We are dissecting the 4-H pledge, this week, for National 4-H week. Thanks for stopping in here on Ranch Raised.
The 4-H pledge is no doubt, near and dear to my heart. And speaking of “heart”, the second line of the pledge addresses the “heart” that it takes to be successful in this youth development program, and in life in general.
“I pledge my heart to greater loyalty.” Just when you want to give up on that steer that won’t lead or angel food cake that just will not rise, 4-H builds resiliency in little souls and teaches them it is not about the ribbon, but it is about finishing the job!
Pledging your heart to greater loyalty means you are committing to working on practicing empathy for others and caring about others despite differences. “I pledge my Heart to greater loyalty,” is pledging to care more for other people versus only thinking of oneself. Through the pledge, members commit to being faithful to each and every person and guarantee to help out if anyone is ever in need.
No matter how fierce the competitor is in all of us, we need to remember that being a humble winner, a gracious loser, and a fair competitor IS the most important part. Always be the person to offer a helping hand. It costs nothing to be kind.
I’m still looking for your favorite 4-H memory! Leave it for me on the Ranch Raised FB page. If you miss an episode this week, celebrating National 4-H week, you can catch the replay on the Your Ag Network app or website!
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.
karina@youragnetwork.com or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
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