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!
County 4-H Fair
by Tom McBeth
When most folks think about the county 4-H fair,
They smile when they recall what it’s like to be there.
When you mix kids and stock in that swelterin’ heat,
It’s the absolute pinnacle parental feat.
Ever one sweats gallons to make things snap and pop
And you always get to quit just before you drop.
It’s a possible example of great bravery
Or how folks got along in complete slavery.
By the end of the first day your feet weigh a ton
And it’s hard to remember that fair is fun
Or your feet are so raw they feel like bloody stubs
And you consider tradin ‘ kids for a hot bathtub.
The kids ‘ energy like their socks seems to ferment,
While parents get “tight -jaw” like quick settin ‘ cement.
By the end of the fair the barn sand seems hip deep
And the fair breeds miracles the way tempers keep.
The Judge is possibly the toughest involved,
Presidin ‘ over an organized free-for-all.
Anyone who places kids in front of tired Moms
Has got to have some grit to do it and stay calm.
They face overworked Dads without even flinchin ‘
Even when there’s ropes out for a post-fair lynchin ‘
The thing parents hate most, is how he has the say,
‘Cause he gets the last word and kids think it’s okay.
All the work with children is repaid as they grow,
While they savor lessons that livin ‘ lets them know.
The most 4-H fairs show is learnin ‘ about love
That kids and parents gel with tough and gentle shoves.
Even the older folks are needed for their part
‘Cause grandparents need to keep smilin ‘ in their hearts.
With all of these kids ‘ raisin ‘, makin ‘, and growin ‘
The strength of the fam’ly is their primary showin ‘ .
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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
