It Takes Two to Engage

Engagement is a powerful word used by many in leadership positions, members of a group and those looking to better themselves. 

The dictionary says engagement has a lot of different meanings, from undertaking a conflict to participating with others. 

I’ve done both, but I’ve found it’s way more fun to participate with others. Most likely, the first engagement was when Jesus Christ recruited his 12 Apostles, and the rest is history.

In the 2025 fall issue of Cow Country, the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) magazine, WSGA Executive Vice President Jim Magagna says, “While the mission statement of WSGA appropriately focuses on protecting the economic and cultural interests of its members, the single word that best describes both the history and current role of WSGA is ‘engagement.’ Beginning with its establishment in 1872, WSGA was known and respected for its engagement.”

As a longtime member and former president of WSGA, I can guarantee WSGA is engaging every day, either with its members or outside of the organization. 

Wyoming agriculture is very fortunate, as there are a number of ag organizations to belong to, and they all are great at engaging their members and those outside of the organization.  

They work closely with national agriculture, livestock and natural resource organizations and agencies.

We are a state with few people, so we often see some who belong to numerous organizations – both county, state and national – and some who are in leadership positions.

In reality, we see this across the West.

A great example of engaging and working together are the Wyoming State Agriculture Initiative Working Group made up by ag leaders from across the state. They are looking at all parts of Wyoming agriculture and developing opportunities for the future of the state’s ag industry. 

We applaud Gov. Mark Gordon for his leadership and vision of Wyoming agriculture.

Another prime example is the Common Ground Coalition made up of livestock producers and leaders across the country who are trying to get livestock producers to stand together in “common ground” and not let the rhetoric and divisiveness ruin the cattle industry.

Here at the Roundup, we witnessed engagement during the course of eight weeks in the fall and early winter. 

After the WSGA winter meeting, the Roundup team will have attended and reported on nine ag conventions and symposiums. It’s quite a sight to see different organizations working their way to reach common goals and objectives.

The last convention of the year will be the WSGA Winter Roundup and Trade Show in Casper on Dec. 8-10 at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center. This winter meeting is a great place to engage, express opinions and learn about opportunities in the cattle industry. And, you can bet your voice will be heard. 

Speakers from Washington, D.C. will discuss federal lands; Dr. Derrell Peel, noted cattle marketing specialist from Oklahoma State University, will discuss cattle prices and other speakers will highlight new technology for the ranch.

And, of course, there will be time to have fun at the auction and visit with old and new friends.

I look at these last eight weeks of conventions as an opportunity for those in agriculture to engage and learn with others and to express their opinions. Don’t pass up the opportunity.

See you there.