Deadline Approaching: May 12, 2023

By: Gracie Hooten, NMCGA

New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association extends a congratulations to all of last year’s countywide winners and is also proud to announce the opening of their third annual Heritage Contest. The contest aims to tell the stories of New Mexico’s youth involved in agriculture and highlights the importance of generational ties to land and livestock. 

Youth, ages 9 to 15 years, in all 33 counties of New Mexico are eligible to apply, but previous winners will not be selected to receive honors. Entries require a 200 to 500 word essay response to the prompt: “How would you like to continue your family’s agriculture heritage to better your community?”

Essay submission deadline is May 12, 2023. NMCGA board members, county fair board members, and award sponsors will collaborate in deciding the final winners from each county.

Winners will receive a belt buckle and a one year junior membership to NMCGA. All county winners will then be automatically advanced to the Statewide Heritage Contest, where their essay submissions could earn them a $1,000 scholarship funded through the NMCGA Promotions and Marketing Committee. The state wide winner and their family will be awarded and recognized as special guests during the 2023 Joint Stockmen’s Convention.

“It’s always a wonderful journey to see how excited our youth are about their futures,” says Amanda Culbertson, NMCGA Promotions and Marketing Committee Chairman. “The lessons these kids learn when working alongside their fathers and grandfathers are priceless. Cattle Growers’ wants to help tell the story of New Mexico agriculture and we believe this contest showcases our diverse industry and the families who make their livings at the end of the dirt road.”

For more information on the Heritage Buckle Contest, including the contest rules and the essay entry form, visit us online at https://www.nmagriculture.org/heritage-contest.html. For further questions please call the NMCGA office, 505-247-0584