Women in Ag: My Momma

My mom didn’t teach me how to curl my hair, but she did teach me how to do everything from putting CIDRs in cows to giving speeches. Mom has been a leader and learner of agriculture for her entire life, which included teaching her kids about the values of working hard and taking care of those around you.

My mom is a perfect example of a strong woman in Ag and is known as Mama Jaime to many kids in her community. Growing up, my mom was involved in 4-H, and FFA, showing pigs and steers, baking and sewing. In college, she traveled the country on WSU’s Livestock Judging team with my dad. She served as a National Beef Ambassador and helped to teach people about the benefits of beef.

She raised me to do many of the same things in 4-H and FFA. Even before I was old enough to be in these clubs, I was helping to raise baby pigs and bottle calves. I still remember the first time I was called to help a sow in labor. I was nine years old and ended up spending the whole night in the pig pen, then went to 4th grade class the next day. Mom and I built our chicken coop together out of old pallets during Covid, and those couple months are some of my best memories of learning how to use power tools.

As a young adult and college stu- dent now, my goals are a reflection of what Mom taught me. I’m working on my BS in AG Communications and Journalism to learn how to be a better, agricultural communicator. When I’m not at school, I keep busy with other Ag-related jobs in my community, like grain elevators and fairground offices.

Of course, I’m still helping on the family farm and learning more every day. Lately, Mom has been teach- ing me about running a family farm, more gardening tips, and how to do taxes (fun stuff!). I’m so grateful that she has the patience and willingness to teach me about those tedious adult things.

As I move into my next year of college, I plan to keep working and learning about Ag as my mom did. I plan to compete on the University of Wyoming Meat Judging team to learn more about the meat industry. I will also have the opportunity to gain some experience with extension and scientific writing with an undergraduate research project back in Laramie After college, I plan to follow in my mom’s footsteps and work a parttime job in an Ag writing field so that I can continue to help on the farm. I hope to be a hard-working farm wife and mom, just like my mom. I hope to be an involved woman in my community that people

can go to for help with anything from sewing a pair of ripped jeans to navigating signing up for college classes. My mom has been the go-to lady for any question anyone may have, and she is a wealth of knowledge and experience that is greatly appreciated by all.

We might make fun of your garden outfits with your overalls and bucket hat, but we love you, Mom! Be- cause real beauty isn’t determined by your hair being done, it’s being able to smile while being covered in cow poop. Real beauty is in intelligence, work ethic, and dedication to your family and community.

So, to all those AG girls, farm wives, and farm moms, you are so appreciated! Keep working hard for agriculture, because the world wouldn’t spin without you.