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!
Thanks for tuning in to Fun, Fact Friday! Everything you pick up at that grocery store is somehow connected back to a farmer or rancher. It is my goal to help you become more aware of where your food comes from and to empower you to use your dollar to support the American ag industry.
If “spring” had a flavor, it would be strawberry! I lurk and I wait for this season to roll around when the strawberries in my local store get bright, fresh and full of flavor.
I must not be alone in my quest for these big, delicious berries! I was actually surprised to learn that the US is doing a pretty decent job of growing our own supply. Now as consumption has increased, we have had to increase imports. In 2000-02 domestic sources supplied 94% of fresh strawberries to U.S. consumers. Approximately 20 years later (2017-19) we increased to 13.4% imported to meet demand.
Over 90% of the strawberries in the US are grown in California and Florida. California produces strawberries year-round, however the majority of the state’s volume is harvested between March and October. Florida’s strawberry season typically begins in December and goes through March.
Today we tip our hat to the American strawberry industry! Check your labels and support USA grown produce with your consumer dollar. That is the best way to keep American farmers and ranchers in business and your grocery store well stocked!
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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.
karina@youragnetwork.com or visit facebook.com/ranchraisedwithkarinajones
