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 this midweek edition of Ranch Raised.
The past few days I have witnessed something that totally fills my cup, kids working with livestock! My older girls took part in a sheep and goat show camp alongside some great kids and mentored by some pretty awesome young adults. Not only did they have a ton of fun, they learned a lot. Respect was demanded and the kids were fully present.
I know I have said it over and over, but there is just something about kids working with livestock and animals that captivates me. And to watch 100 kids under one roof with their sheep and goats left me in awe. The try and the pride were written all over each little face. The work time was broken up with old fashioned, fun games like ships & sailors, the egg and spoon race, and water balloon toss. Even the upper teenage kids were all in, and I never saw a single cell phone in use by any kid! It was pure bliss for this momma’s eyes!
After spending such a wonderful couple of days with such a large body of youth, my heart sank to hear of the tragedy that happened at an elementary school in Uvalde, TX, yesterday. Our sincere condolences go out to all of the families and the community.
I don’t have a plan or roadmap to prevent that devastation from ever happening again. But, something in my heart knows that we have to invest in our youth. I don’t necessarily think that requires large volumes of cash. I believe that our investment of our time, love, and positive energy can change lives. And I think it can create a ripple effect. You don’t have to impact hundreds of youth, like I got to witness this week. Choose to walk alongside at least one young person. You just may be what they need!
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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
