Wyoming Stock Growers Association: A Historic Event
By Jim Magagna
I am experiencing an unprecedented level of excitement as my team and I prepare for the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) – Wyoming’s oldest trade association and our nation’s second oldest state cattle association.
When those five men met in a livery stable in Cheyenne in 1872, they were driven to respond to cattle thefts and the need to conduct annual roundups across Wyoming’s vast open lands. It is doubtful they envisioned an organization which would continue to serve Wyoming and her ranching industry for 150 years.
Today we can look back on WSGA’s contributions to Wyoming and her foundational agricultural industry as we look forward to serving the opportunities and needs of the next generation of Wyoming ranchers. This is the theme of our 150th Anniversary Celebration – “Celebrating Our Past – Empowering Our Future.” The celebration is set to take place in Cheyenne June 8-11.
Our 2022 Wyoming Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show will once again provide attendees the opportunity to hear from key speakers on industry topics, while our members engage in development of the policies guiding our work for the next year.
I appreciate this opportunity to invite all Wyoming agricultural producers, industry supporters and community leaders to join us in Cheyenne for this celebration. Highlights include the Thursday night WSGA Invitational Rodeo, the Friday Ranchers Roundup Banquet featuring entertainment by Annie and Amy and Saturday’s parade. You can review the full schedule in this issue of the Roundup as well as on our WSGA website.
By attending the celebration, you will receive a number of WSGA memorabilia, have the opportunity to bid on several unique items in our historic auction and acquire a copy of our “Celebrating 150 Years of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association” book with a unique labeled bottle of 150th Anniversary Wyoming Whiskey.
Whether you have lived through many of the years embodied in WSGA’s history, are focused on what WSGA is doing for you today or are just beginning to build your future in Wyoming, I am confident you will find fulfillment in participating in our 150th Anniversary Celebration. I urge you to pre-register today at wysga.org or by calling 307-638-3942.
Join your friends, meet new friends and receive updates on matters affecting your business. I look forward to sharing my excitement with you in Cheyenne in June!
Jim Magagna is the Wyoming Stock Growers Association executive vice president.