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#beefmeet advocating Beef Beef USA Chugwater NCBA Nebraska Cattlemen

Fun Fact Friday-#BeefMeet

Fun Fact Friday-#BeefMeet

What an honor to have my picture with this Cowboy.
Philip Ellis, is the President of  the National Cattlemens Association but
I know him as Amanda’s Dad. Amanda and I were classmates at Chugwater
School. Thank you, Philip for all you do for our Ag Community.
This week, my friend Terryn (visit her blog at FaithFamily and Beef) and I attended the Nebraska Cattlemen Convention for a couple of days. It was held in Kearney. If you are not familiar with the Cattlemen Association, it is a group of Ag professionals, farmers, ranchers, college students, high school students, and businesses that all have the interests in agriculture.

If you are interested in more about the National Cattlemens please visit their website: http://www.beefusa.org/
and if you are interested in Nebraska Cattlemen, please visit their website: http://www.nebraskacattlemen.org/

I encourage you to join both of these organizations. They are so important to the Ag Community.

Make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you and the future – join Nebraska Cattlemen today!

We attended the Opening General Session and heard from the Nebraska Cattlemen President, Dave McCraken, and from Pete McClymont, Nebraska Cattlemen Exec., and Vice President, Dr. E. John Pollak, Director at US. MARC and Philip Ellis, President of the National Cattlemens. We also heard about the Beef program in schools in Nebraska.  If you recall, I wrote an article for the Nebraska Cattlemen about Beef in Morrill County Schools. You can read it here. All in all, the Opening General Session was full of facts, laughs and eye opening statements. We as an Ag Community, need to stand together.

The second day, we attended a meeting by Dave Specht. His presentation was titled, “Transition Planing is Optional… Well kind of.”  It was awesome. If you ever want to know how to ask the questions like, “When do I get to take over the ranch?’ or “What are your future plans for the family farm?” You need to read his book, The Farm Whisperer – Secrets to Preserving Families and Perpetuating Farms.

“Have courage to ask hard questions, it’s worth it.”  – Dave Specht

We also attended a meeting about VFD’s and judicious use of antibiotics. VFD’s stands for Veterinary Feed Directive. You see, both of these subjects are important to me and you.
VFD’s are a written statement by a vet for treatment of antibiotics in cattle herds.
Judicious use of antibiotics is simply what we all practice when giving an antibiotic for ourselves, our kids and/or our animals. We need to use them timely, when needed, use them effectively and follow all directions. This information was good to hear.

“Thou Shalt Read and Know Thy Label.” 

We also heard that 1 beef animal gives 462 people an eating experience. Now that is a beef fact.

We concluded our Nebraska Cattlemen’s Convention with a huge, delicious steak at the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Lunch. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

My Fun Fact Friday is this:

It is worth it to join the Nebraska Cattlemen and the National Cattlemens Beef Association so that YOU can be involved in the future of Ag! Hit me up if you have questions!!

Morrill County being recognized for our Beef in School Program.
I have been nominated to sit on the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Beef in
Schools Program. I am honored to help Nebraska Schools add
Beef in their lunch programs. Beef. It’s What’s for Lunch at our
School.

 

I ran into a friend that I meet at the Nebraska Young Cattlemens
Conference a couple years ago. Shannon, thanks for all you do for
our Ag Community.
I am pretty sure that Taggert was the littlest cattle-women at the convention.
Thank you Terryn for letting me tag along with you to Kearney.  You’re the best.
And when Ranch Wives go to the city,
they must stop at Starbucks!!
Thanks for stopping for drinks, T!!
Categories
Chugwater Chugwater Chili Small Town Values

Small Town Values

 

Bluffs Near Chugwater(Unknown Photographer)
Small Town Values

Chugwater~Some say if you blink you
will miss this little town!!
Chugwater, Wyoming is north of Cheyenne and south of Wheatland off of Interstate 25.  My parents place is east of Chugwater 15 miles.  When I was growing up, Chugwater had the population of less than 120 people, and it hasn’t changed much.   I love everything about Chugwater, and I am very thankful for this little town.  Chugwater is important to me because of the small town values that I learned while growing up.  Those values are what shaped me into the person I am today; values that I am passing on to my children. 




Chugwater Chili Spice.

Chugwater is more than my home town it is the home of the famous Chugwater Chili.  The founding of Chugwater Chili Corporation is a story of real small town values at work.  Chugwater Chili Corporation was formed by a bunch of my neighbors in 1986.  They purchased the Wyoming State Championship Chili Recipe, with the goal of helping the business community in Chugwater.  I knew all the families that started Chugwater Chili Corporation.  I love Chugwater Chili!  It is a spice that I use on almost everything I cook.  Beef and Chugwater Chili are a perfect match!  A bowl of Chugwater Chili warms your soul. To order please see their website:  http://chugwaterchili.com/index.html See below for Chugwater Chile Recipe.

Chugwater is an agricultural community.  I learned how to drive a combine before I knew how to drive a pick up. I learned that all my friends had chores just like me.  I learned how important neighbors are.  I learned how important FFA and 4-H is. I learned how important land stewardship was before I truly understood what it meant.  I learned that small town values are life lessons that you never forget.
Senior 1998
I am very thankful for All values
that I learned growing up in a small
town.

As graduation time nears, I can’t help but think of my high school graduation.  There were 13 of us.  Each of us left our footprints there.  We all learned how important small town values are. We learned that it took all of us to make a team.  We took with us those values that make us the adults we are today.  Small town values are working hard, sticking together as neighbors and friends in hard times and good times.  It is pitching in when someone needs help.  It is about being able to see the stars at night, driving long dirt roads to see a neighbor and picking flowers for your 80 year old grandpa.  I cherish my small town values, and I would not change a thing about growing up in Chugwater.  The history of Chugwater is very interesting, if you would like to know more please visit the town of Chugwater’s web site: http://www.chugwater.com/history.asp 

Chugwater Class of 1998
 

Because of these two~ Grandpa &
Grandma Beaver~We learned
Small Town Values!



My Pot of Chugwater Chili.
The Smell of Chugwater Chili is amazing.
 
I rarely have left overs but when
I do, the second day is
even better!

CHUGWATER CHILI

2 lbs Ground Beef
3 Tbsp of Chugwater Chili Mix
1 15oz can tomato sauce
2 15oz Plain Pinto Beans
Cheese and Crackers

Brown 2 lbs of ground beef; drain excess fat. Stir in 3 Tbsp. Chugwater Chili Mix (more for hotter chili), one 15 oz can tomato sauce and 15 oz water.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add two 15 oz cans plain pinto beans; return to simmer. Serve Hot. Recipe makes 9 one cup servings

Some extra advice:

I serve Chugwater Chile with Cheese and Crackers.  I also sometimes add a can of diced canned tomatoes into my chili.
Left over Chugwater Chile can be used for Chili Dogs, Chili Frito’s with cheese and Taco Salad.
I sell Chugwater Chili at Double A Feeds.

(Please note: Please follow safe handling of Beef)