Copper Cowbelles booth at 2024 Grant County FairCopper CowBelles changed some things up for this year's County Fair and hopefully we were successful in our new endeavors. For many years we have supported the Grant County Cattle Growers with their program to purchase a steer at the fair, have it processed and the meat distributed to the Home Ec/Culinary Arts teachers around the county. As our part, we have covered the cut and wrap process costs, but as the expenses have continually increased, this year we declined to help. It was a hard decision but necessary as our fundraising success has decreased.

Instead Misty Pugmire helped us purchase beef, potatoes, cheese and tortillas and with the help of Cliff High School culinary students, we created 300 breakfast burritos and distributed them to the livestock exhibitors and their families the morning of the weigh-ins for the show animals. The burritos were delicious and gratefully received.

Cornhole board painted by Leslie Crumbley at Copper Cowbelles 2025 Fair boothIn the exhibit barn where we had a manned booth every day, we handed out packages of beef jerky that was provided to us by the NM Beef Council. We did this instead of our usual daily drawing of $50 of frozen beef in a thermal bag. Our booth was changed up with a western themed backdrop that was used for family picture opportunities using their own cell phone cameras and the kids were encouraged to play corn hole on boards painted with laughing cows painted by Leslie Crumbley. Overall the booth was more interactive and a lot of fun.

There is now an Ag Day event at the fair organized by Autumn Robertson and Farm Bureau. There are tables set up for demonstrations of agriculture related things such as USDA's Rolling River trailer, cotton ginning and information on beef by-products. Copper was again able to explain brands, their history and how to read them. Each child was given an acrylic paint brand on their hand if they wanted. We also gave each teacher a bag of crayons, coloring books and information sent to us by Beef Council.

This event is in its second year and is held on the morning that the school buses come out from Silver City to visit the fair. Manning our indoor exhibit hall booth and the Ag Day booth at the same times stretches our resources to cover both events but once again our Copper members came through and got the job done.

As president, I am very proud of our efforts at the Grant County Fair this year!
Pat Hunt