Locals well represented in state CattleWomen’s Conference

Women from Custer and Fremont County were well represented during the Colorado CattleWomen’s Association Conference that was held the second week of November. The location in Golden had historical significance, as it was the site of the first Cattleman’s meeting in 1867 at the original Denver West Marriott Hotel. In 1867, Colorado cattlemen got together and formed their group, ten years before Colorado received statehood. The Colorado CattleWomen Association was spun off from the Colorado Cattleman’s Association in 1941.

Of particular local note was on Tuesday evening, when the CattleWoman of the Year and the CattleWoman Rookie of the Year were presented with their awards. The presenter and Vice-President of the CattleWomen, Sudzy Benesch, has a deep agricultural connection to the region. Benesch comes from the storied Walker Ranch in Westcliffe, whose history stretches back to the founding of the Valley’s settlement. Benesch is the daughter of former Tribune columnist Wildra Ruzanski (Walker) and was an excellent agricultural and rodeo journalist before embarking on a 30-year career in teaching. She currently lives in Penrose but is often seen in the Valley helping to organize events for the Custer County CattleWomen.

What was unique was that Benesch was able to present the CattleWoman of the Year award to her friend, Sara Shields. The Colorado CattleWomen summed up Shield’s remarkable experience in their press release, “Sara Shields is a third-generation rancher from Westcliffe, whose family has operated the historic San Isabel Ranch since 1872. A graduate of Colorado State University with degrees in equine science and beef industry leadership, Shields has dedicated her career to advancing Colorado agriculture through education, conservation, and youth development. She has worked with the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, serves on the Colorado Cattlemen’s Ag Land Trust board, and has long supported events like the Colorado State Fair and National Western Stock Show. Shields helped launch the Colorado Beef Ambassador program to teach youth effective beef promotion skills and continues to mentor young producers while actively supporting her local community as a pastor’s wife and member of the Custer County CattleWomen.”

Sara was the youngest out of ten siblings of Dr. Ben and Bet Kettle. Dr. Kettle was the region’s Veterinarian and, in the 1980s, became a leader in the county, helping Custer County enact unique land-use regulations that prevented the endless sprawl of five-acre lots that still afflict many other rural Colorado regions. She returned home in 1996 to take over management of the ranch from an aging Dr. Kettle and continues that work to the present day.

For those interested in the work of the Colorado CattleWomen’s Association, visit their fantastic website at www.coloradocattlewomen.org. To learn more about the regional Custer County CattleWomen’s Association, send an email to sudzyob@gmail.com.

– Jordan Hedberg