Women In Ag Banquet Held
The twelfth annual Mountrail County Women in Agriculture banquet was held on Wednesday, Apr. 2 at the Mountrail County South Complex in Stanley. The evening started with a social and time to shop at the various boutiques, followed by dinner and guest speaker Brandi Buzzard. Music was provided by Ty Taylor, Jerilyn Wiseman and Nicole Biwer this year during the social hour, dinner and after the speaker.
Pam Germundson welcomed everyone to this annual event that celebrates the vital role women play in agriculture and building stronger communities. The early bird registration prize, a custom made leather cosmetic bag made by Jim Hennessy, was won by Denise Hanson. They recognized Barb DeTienne, who is retiring from the Ag Improvement Association board this year, pointing out that she spearheaded this event twelve years ago. Germundson then read “So God Made A Ranch Wife” and offered the prayer. This year’s game featured a purse scavenger hunt with an interesting assortment of things to find.
This year’s guest speaker was Brandi Buzzard, a top-rated speaker who describes herself as a Kansas cowgirl, mama, rancher, runner and sports fanatic.
For more than a decade, she has been writing and speaking about the rural lifestyle and helping others share their story of agriculture. It’s important for rural America to have a voice on critical issues that affect their everyday lives and she says, “it’s my honor to speak with audiences about how we can all do our part to better our communities”.
Her newest topic and the focus of her presentation was “Never Sell Your Saddle”. She talked about growing up on a hobby ranch. She grew up horse riding and rodeo crazy. She started with junior rodeo competing in barrels and poles. At 16, she found a love for roping. She continued with high school and college rodeo and now competes on the pro circuit in breakaway roping.
She talked about the challenges of wanting to do it all. You get a job and have less time to pursue your hobbies or activities. You get married and have children, and have less disposable income. You pour yourself into your kids’ activities and everybody else, saving yourself for last.
She reminded everyone that you deserve to do something that makes you happy. Be open minded about those hobbies and passions to gain happiness, fulfillment, better mental health and better social connections. It does not have to be competitive, achievement based, or make you money. It just needs to be something you enjoy and if it makes you happy it is not a waste of time or money.