Bent-Prowers Cattle & Horse Growers Mix Business & Pleasure at Annual Meeting

Kaye Kasza of McClave was honored during the annual Bent-Prowers Cattle & Horse Growers Association banquet, Saturday, April 2 at Thyme Square in La Junta.  Kasza, a beef advocate and extension agent, was selected as the association’s prestigious Honorary Lifetime Member recipient.

She was born and raised on the family ranch in Baca County. She attended Colorado State University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in consumer science and home economics.

She has been an active member of the Southeast Colorado Cattlewomen for 35 years. She has held many offices, including two terms as president and has twice been named Cattlewoman of the Year.  She has spent many hours working on the brand napkins the Cattlewomen produce.  She has been the driving force in putting the napkins together, keeping them updated, and in promoting their sale.

With a strong background in nutrition, Kasza has taught countless workshops to promote the nutritional benefits of beef, the preparation of beef, and its importance as a healthy food source. As a CSU extension agent for 26 years, she has worked tirelessly to promote the beef industry.

A longtime member of Bent Prowers, she is dedicated to the cattle industry.  She strives to teach the public that ranchers are good stewards of the land.  She has stated “We all have to do a better job of speaking up for ourselves as ranchers.  We need to tell that we are doing a good job taking care of the land and taking care of the animals”.

She lives with her husband Joe on the family farm west of McClave, where they raised their two children, Susan and Daniel.

Kasza’s honor highlighted the evening, which also included a cowboy punch bowl and ribeye steak banquet. Lori Chase of McClave was installed as president. The band, “Country Gold” then set Thyme Square’s dance floor in motion.

Sen. Kevin Grantham highlighted legislative action. Updates from industry leaders, including Fred Lombardi of Colorado Beef Council, Rick Wahlert of the Colorado Brand Board, Travis Black of Colorado Department of Wildlife, Shelly Simmons of Colorado State Forest Service, Sue Cummings of Colorado Cattlewomen and Terry Fankhauser of Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, were featured at the afternoon business session.

Resolutions were passed. The group reiterated opposition to Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site expansion, and opposed sweet clover being listed as a noxious weed. The members also took action  on conservation easements, and conservation reserve program (CRP) seed mixtures in Baca County.

The Bent-Prowers Cattlemen is Colorado’s oldest livestock organization that serves members in Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers counties. Members elected Lori Chase of McClave as president; Kevin Hefley of Walsh as first vice president; Reggy Lusk of Springfield as second vice president and re-elected Susan Russell of Sugar City as secretary/treasurer. Directors elected for the multi-county area are: Bruce Fickenscher, Amber Freouf, Bill Gray, Bill Hancock, Cade Hasser, Hans Hasser, Louis James, Pat Karney, Tyler Karney, Joe Kasza, Leon Leonard, Amanda McEndree, Steve McEndree, Dave Mendenhall, Leonard Pruett, Pat Ptolemy, Milton Rink and Rick Wollert. Outgoing president Timy Trosper, plus recent past presidents Ron O’Neal and JoAnn McEndree, round out the board.

Carol McEndree of Springfield won the new Priefert squeeze chute. During a break, Plainview Ag Science students displayed the “When is a Cow More Than a Cow” byproducts board. The FFA’ers also had a horse byproducts board with a power point covering major equine issues, including a slaughter issue update and BLM/Wild Horse situation.

Also at Thyme Square, Southeast Colorado Cattlewomen and Southeastern Colorado Junior Cattlemen members met, plus the youth held their own annual meeting and bowling outing.