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!
Ribbon Candy is a sign of simpler times! Thanks for tuning in today to Ranch Raised.
December 21 is national Ribbon Candy Day. As I came across this tidbit I couldn’t help but think of big jars and platters full of color ribbon candies. If there is a candy that reminiscent of simpler times and humble holiday eras, I think ribbon candy is a close second to the candy cane.
Today big box stores, shopping malls, and any brick and mortar stores spend thousands of dollars decorating their spaces for the Christmas season. But, there used to be a time when fancy decorations weren’t even thought much less could have never been afforded. The original intention of ribbon candy was to bring some color and cheer to merchant shops during holiday times. Infact, ribbon candy dates back centuries, originally being crafted in many regions in Europe.
Confectioners developed the candy as a Christmas decoration for their shops, modeling the wavy form around the candy maker’s thumb. In the 1800s mechanical crimpers were invented to shape the ribbons. Finger-like crimpers simulated the curl originally put into the candy by hand. A candy maker made the candy, another spun off a ribbon and fed it into a crimper which was then turned by hand. Finally, the curly ribbon was cut with scissors as it came down a small conveyor.
In the last few decades there has been a return to handcrafted candy made in specialty candy shops. So hopefully the art of making ribbon candy is never lost so we can all be taken back to appreciating the simple times it represents.
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 former 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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