Tag: Hereford

Women in Ag: Ag Communications Professional, Maggie Malson

Maggie Malson grew up a Kansas farmer’s daughter, but after meeting her husband, Josh, at Kansas State University, the couple returned to his home in Idaho and she easily found herself loving the Gem State. The couple raises Angus and Hereford cattle and their four children on his family’s southwest Idaho ranch. Maggie has been an ag communications professional for the past 14 years. When not writing stories or photographing clients, watching kid activities, or helping with the cattle, Maggie enjoys getting creative in the kitchen. She also volunteers her time as a 4-H club leader, a contributor to the Idaho CattleWomen blog and is involved with Beef Counts.

How are you involved in agriculture and/or beef industry today? My husband and I live and work on his family’s registered cattle ranch. While I don’t work outside with cattle every day, I am always on call to help as needed—whether moving cows, making a run to the vet clinic, or in the case this fall when I awoke to cows in our yard, helping get them back in and fixing the fence. With my communications experience, I manage our website, and help with the marketing and advertising of our purebred cattle. Our children are active in junior beef association activities and 4-H, showing cattle and sheep. We also have a couple feeder pigs each year. Professionally, I spent 13 years publishing the magazine for the Idaho Cattle Association, but recently stepped away from it to be more available to my family. After graduating from college, I started my communications business to provide writing, photography and design services, mainly to agriculture publications and clients, which I continue to do today.

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Checking out the bulls during the family’s annual bull sale. Maggie and Josh are thankful to raise their children in the cattle business.

How has your life been shaped by agriculture and/or the beef industry? My love of agriculture is a part of who I am. I was raised in a small farming community in Kansas where my dad and granddad were farmers. I remember helping my dad change water, which for us was big gated pipe. Moving cows was also a favorite family activity. I was a 10-year 4-H member, and that program, along with my parents, helped teach me responsibility, hard work, dedication, goal-setting and leadership skills. I had many interests in high school including art, photography and writing, but my love for agriculture, horses and cattle led me to pursue a degree in animal science. During my sophomore year I attended my first Ag Media Summit, where I met writers and editors of publications I had grown up seeing my dad read. I realized telling the story of agriculture was my life’s passion. I added ag communications as a second major. I was fortunate to have college internships to gain experience in both the horse and beef industries, and being on the KSU horse judging team also gave me opportunities for travel and meeting people through agriculture—many of them are still close friends today.

Who inspires you or serves as a mentor? Certainly both of my parents and my grandparents have been great mentors for me. I look up to them for their faith, hard work, and kindness to others. They offered so much love and support to me through the years. My 4-H leader and county agent, Frank Swan, was also an influential force in my formative years and gave me many opportunities for growth and learning. In my communications career, I have numerous colleagues I admire and look up to. In the last 13 years, the cattlewomen and men of Idaho have provided daily inspiration for their dedication to raising beef and feeding people. There have been a few in particular who have been especially encouraging to me and are great leaders in our industry. I always appreciate opportunities to “pick their brains,” and gain insight from their experiences when we spend time together.

How do you provide encouragement to others? In my role as a wife and mom, I find lots of opportunities to encourage my family. Josh and I enjoy working together, albeit not always easy, but working alongside your spouse doing something you both love is a great way to spend the days. And I admire him so much for his love of cattle and doing the best job he can. I also love to laugh, so if I can infuse a little humor into a situation I will try because laughter really is great medicine. With our kids, I want to find the right balance of letting them learn from life experiences, but loving and guiding them along the way. I am a firm believer that everyone has something to contribute in life. I want to empower and encourage women to realize their worth and to be proud of the role they play—whether it’s at home or working outside the home. There is enough negativity in the world that we need to build each other up and not shame each other for parenting, food or other choices. In this day and age of modern technology and instant messages, I still find power in a face to face conversation and the handwritten note, so I try to visit in person or send cards and letters to others when I can.

If given the chance, what message about agriculture or the beef industry would you share with a large group of people? We tend to fear what we don’t know, so I would encourage the general public to get to know farmers and ranchers, learn more about what we do to care for land and animals, and to trust we are doing our very best. Agriculture impacts all of us, and a thriving agriculture industry and rural economies are the backbone of our country. Agriculture should still be considered a noble profession. It’s simple; we have to eat, have clothing and shelter. I want the rest of the population to know that farmers and ranchers care more about the land and animals than anyone in Washington, D.C., who is making policy without first-hand knowledge of how small or large farms and ranches are run. Food choice is important, and all production systems are needed. Science and technology are valuable tools that producers use to help be more efficient and sustainable.

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Maggie has fond memories of showing horses and cattle at her county fair. Now she gets to watch her own kids show animals and learn valuable life lessons through 4-H.

What are you most thankful for? My faith, freedom, family, friends and health! I am thankful for agriculture and the people who have positively influenced my life. Life isn’t always easy and we all have our own share of trials and challenges, but my grandma’s advice was that you could always find someone else worse off than you. She had a positive, grateful attitude and didn’t complain. Even in the midst of an uncomfortable circumstance or challenge, I can always find something to be thankful for! If I ever start to think of what I don’t have, it’s my internal cue to look around and see how I can help or bless someone else. Reaching out to others in their time of need always puts my blessings in perspective.

What is you favorite meal to cook yourself or for others? I really love a good steak and roasted broccoli. I could probably eat that every day! One of my family’s favorites I make is a Steak Alfredo Pasta. I cut the steak into bite-size pieces, season, then brown them. I make a homemade sauce, starting with a roux of butter and flour, adding milk and cooking until it thickens. I season with garlic salt, pepper, Italian spices and Parmesan cheese. I add diced fresh tomatoes, red onion and bell peppers if I have them around. (I change it up a little each time.) I mix the steak back in after the sauce is finished and serve over fetticine noodles.

What are your guilty pleasures in life? I don’t have much time to watch TV, but I have three shows I DVR—Madam Secretary, Castle and The Mysteries of Laura. I love the strong, female lead characters, and each show has some drama, along with laughter too—a great combination.

What are some of your favorite pastimes and/or hobbies? I love to read and usually have several books on my nightstand. I enjoy art, DIY projects and scrapbooking, although I haven’t had as much time to do this as I used to. I really enjoy watching my kids show their animals or participate in sports.

Favorite place to visit? Kansas (or anywhere my family is) and McCall, Idaho, where we have a family cabin. Because Josh and I both work from home, getting away from the ranch doesn’t happen often, but being up in the mountains and on the lake gives us both time to relax, enjoy downtime with our kids, and take in the beautiful scenery.

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Maggie and her first horse, Dandy, who taught her about perseverance and hard work.

What are three little known facts about you? 1) I won my first horse in an essay contest when I was 8 years old. She was only a yearling and I had no experience; I was just a horse-crazy girl. I learned so much about perseverance and not giving up from that horse. We had to learn everything by trial and error, but by the time I was finished showing her, I had reached all my goals. 2) I took an Introvert/Extrovert test once and my answers were evenly divided down the middle. I enjoy being around people, but also crave alone time. 3) I play the piano. I grew up taking lessons and playing in church. I don’t play nearly as often I would like to, but sometimes when I’m stressed, I’ll sit down and play through a hymn or Christmas song.

Keep up with Maggie on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Categories: Beef, Blogging, Cattle, Idaho Cattlewomen, Ranch Life

Women in Ag: Livestock Marketing Communicator, Kim Holt

Kim Holt grew up on an eastern Washington farm where her family raised wheat and Hereford cattle. After graduating from Washington State University in agricultural communications, she moved to Kansas City. There she worked for the former American Polled Hereford Association for nearly six years then a veterinary publishing group for four years. Kim and her husband, Scott, met because of cattle, and were married while working in Kansas. In 2000, Scott took a position with Allflex USA, which brought them back to Idaho. Kim and Scott have two kids, Emilee and Ben.

How are you involved in agriculture and/or beef industry today? In Idaho, I established a home-based writing business that focused around the beef industry. I did this for 16 years; it has been a great way to stay involved with work while raising our family. My writing has also been a great background for my current job with MWI Animal Health, where I work in livestock marketing communications. I am a big proponent of youth and livestock projects, including Emilee and Ben’s Hereford herd that has been 11 years in the making. I volunteer with 4-H, our state’s junior and senior Hereford associations, and our family enjoys its time helping promote beef with the Idaho Beef Council. Ben also started a Boer goat herd, and I enjoy that aspect of ag too.

How has your life been shaped by agriculture and/or beef industry? I was born into agriculture, the third generation on both sides of our family. Growing up on a farm, that was our life and Herefords were always a part of it, being a great love of my dad’s. The love of cattle and livestock production, along with the knowledge of being a contributor to food production, is a passion of mine and our family’s.

In 2013, the Holt's gained a purple banner from the Western Nugget National Junior Hereford Show.

In 2013, the Holts gained a purple banner from the Western Nugget National Junior Hereford Show.

Who inspires you or serves as a mentor? My husband Scott. He rises early, always works hard and is determined to make a difference. I am also inspired by the faith held by both of my grandmothers.

How do you provide encouragement to others? I try to look at the bright side—the glass is half full, not half empty. And prayer is powerful.

If given the chance, what message about agriculture or the beef industry would you share with a large group of people? People who produce food for a living do so with great passion, caring about their land, animals and the safety of the food products they produce. Our family is no different with the livestock we raise.

“Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion.” – Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, philosopher

What are you most thankful for? My faith, family, friends, freedom, health, the spirit of community and that we have a warm place to call home. Our family is very lucky to have some of the best friends ever. And I’m also really thankful that we’ve been able to raise Em and Ben up as ag kids, appreciative of the circle of life, self-sufficiency, hard work and integrity.

What is your favorite meal to cook yourself or for others? Hereford ribeye steak with 5-Star spinach salad, buttery baby red potatoes, French bread with in-season raspberries over Tillamook French vanilla ice cream and warm, from-scratch brownies.

What is your favorite childhood memory? Being raised on a farm there are many, but one of my favorite is taking bulls with my dad to the Lewiston Hereford Week Bull Sale each year. Also going with my dad in the cattle truck—yes, that had cattle racks—to move cattle to and from Connell. Each time, on the way home, we’d stop for Pepsi and Cheetos.

For the Holt's, showing livestock is a family affair.

For the Holts, showing livestock is a family affair.

Favorite place to visit? Lake Louise and the Canadian Rockies

What are three little known facts about you? 1) I’m from eastern Washington. 2) I worked on an Australian feedlot for seven months. 3) I’m a lover of tadpoles (a favorite childhood memory with my two sisters).

Categories: Beef, Blogging, Cattle, Lifestyle, Ranch Life

Women in Ag: ICA Board Member, Dawn Anderson

Dawn, and her husband James, are partners in a registered Hereford and Red Angus purebred cow-calf operation, started by her parents. The ranch has an annual production sale, the 2nd Monday of March. Dawn and her husband have been married for 28 years, and have two children, Bryan and Jae.

How are you involved in agriculture and/or beef industry today? I am currently on the Idaho Cattle Association Board of Directors. I provide support services for the Idaho Junior Hereford Association (IJHA) as well as the Idaho Hereford Breeders. We do a little bit of showing with our Herefords. With a little help from the kids, I break the cattle and get them ready to head to the show. I work outside the home, but use evenings, weekends and other days off to register cattle, work cattle, run parts, and do whatever else needs done.

JBB/AL HerefordsHow has your life been shaped by agriculture and/or beef industry? I was raised on the ranch we live on and have spent my entire life around cattle and farming. My dad always said that cattle raise good kids. I was very fortunate to be raised in this environment and have been blessed to be able to continue to live this lifestyle as well as raise our children with the same opportunities.

Who inspires you or serves as a mentor? My parents, John and Bev Bryan, have always been my inspiration. My husband James was not directly raised in the Ag/Beef industry, but had a true passion for it from the beginning and this allowed me to stay involved. Together, our inspiration is making it possible for our children to continue to be involved in the industry and continue on a family tradition.

How do you provide encouragement to others? I was involved in 4-H and the IJHA while growing up. I don’t believe I ever left either program. I help with our county 4-H market animal sale, and help with IJHA shows and events. I look for opportunities to encourage youth to stay involved in agriculture and the beef industry.

If given the chance, what message about agriculture or the beef industry would you share with a large group of people? The ag & beef industries are the lifeblood of our nation and our world. We care about our natural resources; therefore we are invested stewards of our land. We recognize that life sustainability depends on us feeding the world with safe, wholesome food.

Photo by Dawn AndersonWhat are you most thankful for? My family; past, current and future. I know it would have been very difficult to have had the experiences I had growing up had my grandparents and parents not had the tenacity to stick with this industry during the difficult years. I was lucky to find a man who was willing to work hard so that we could stay in this industry, and I am thankful that we have been able to introduce our children to this industry.

What is your favorite meal to cook yourself or for others? My favorite meal to cook includes steak. It might be because it is an easy fix and easy cleanup, but it is soooo good.

What is your favorite childhood memory? My brother Shawn had Reserve Champion Steer at the Gooding County Fair. He had the opportunity to show him in the Open to the World Steer Show at the Twin Falls County Fair two weeks later, but he wanted to be done with taking care of the steer. We made a deal that I would feed and continue to care for the steer through the show, and I would get whatever premium money he received from that show. He ended up winning the carcass contest with premiums of $300. That was quite a bit of money at that time. Shawn quietly handed over the money.

What are your guilty pleasures in life? Red Wine and Beer. Not necessarily in that order.

What are some of your favorite pastimes and/or hobbies?  I love to run. Call me crazy – well, you could if I didn’t get the chance to run and work off some stress. I run 3-5 times a week 3.5 – 8 miles each time. I occasionally participate in 10K and 5K running events. I’m not fast, but I can finish. That’s all that matters. I also like to golf.

Make sure to follow Dawn and JBB/AL Herefords on Facebook!

Categories: Beef, Blogging, Cattle, Idaho Cattlewomen, Lifestyle, Ranch Life