Young Valencia County Showman Receives Heritage Award

The inaugural year of the New Mexico Cattlemen’s Association Heritage Loop Award has started well as New Mexico’s fair season is well underway. August will host 18 county fairs, so be sure to get out there and support young people in agriculture this summer.

“The trials received from all over the state have been absolutely amazing,” said Ron Burnett, chair of the New Mexico Cattlemen’s Association Promotion and Marketing committee. “With farm children like these leading the next generation, our future is brighter than ever. “

This week’s winners included Myra Olivas from Valencia County.

In her essay, Olivas wrote that she had recently wondered, “Who will share the legacy of the cattle and ranching industry in New Mexico if there is no one in the future to maintain?” his legacy ? “

“I was able to explore this further after attending the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp. Surrounded by like-minded young people, we learned about grazing, vaccine administration and consumer-driven markets. Consumers want to know where their food comes from, ”Olivas wrote. “I now see opportunities that I hadn’t seen before attending camp. “

The Valencia County award was sponsored by New Mexico Representative Gail Armstrong (R-49).

Other winners included, Isabella Sugg, Lincoln County; Breylin Rubio, Colfax County; Earl Velasquez, Sandoval County; James Tucker County Santa Fe; Natalie Smith, Harding County and Kooper County Kerby Lea.

To be eligible for the Heritage Loop Award, young people aged 9-21 were asked to provide a 200-500 word essay on the ‘value they place on the heritage of the beef industry and cattle industry. breeding in New Mexico ”.

Recipients from each county receive a trophy belt buckle and a one-year junior membership in the NMCGA. The winners are then automatically entered in the general state heritage competition.

To learn more about the Legacy and NMCGA competition, please visit nmagriculture.org.