Women’s Ag Summit hosted in Buffalo
The 15th Annual Women’s Ag Summit, hosted by the Johnson County CattleWomen (JCCW) in memory of Tracy Alger, was held on Jan. 17 at the Play House in Buffalo.
Wyoming women gathered for a day of conversation and connection regarding Johnson County’s cattle industry, enjoying presentations from a host of speakers on topics ranging from fighting food insecurity and infectious diseases to rural mental health, ag advocacy and more.
Morning session
The event kicked off with a presentation on ag advocacy and the Wyoming Hunger Initiative delivered by First Lady of Wyoming Jennie Gordon.
“Advocacy for the ag industry is really important because if we don’t tell our story, somebody else will,” Gordon said.
“I think women in agriculture have such a powerful position because we’re kind of a softer side most of the time,” Gordon added, emphasizing the ability to foster education and correct misinformation while remaining compassionate is a strong asset for ag advocates.
The morning continued with comments on infectious animal diseases and biosecurity from Wyoming Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Rose Digianantonio.
Digianantonio offered an overview of some common animal diseases which can pose threats to herds in Wyoming, as well as an explanation of disease traceability and mitigation strategies, including best practices for producers to incorporate in order to prevent outbreaks.
Next, Andrea Allen, co-founder of the Cowboy Cole Memorial Foundation, delivered a talk on suicide prevention and mental health awareness.
After losing her son Cole to suicide in October of 2021, Allen formed the Cowboy Cole Memorial Foundation along with her husband Shane and daughter Molly.
During her presentation, Allen shared her family’s story, discussed some of the projects the foundation is currently working on and emphasized the importance of destigmatizing conversations about mental health.
“We hope to help create a community that supports one another and works tirelessly to prevent future tragedies,” Allen said. “Unity and compassion can make a difference in the lives of individuals struggling with mental health challenges.”
Award recognition
In addition, JCCW recognized the recipients of the first-ever The Way We Live Award, which honors local farmers and ranchers who exemplify the Johnson County ag industry in their daily lives.
The inaugural award was presented to Gerry and Marie Miller of Buffalo during the 2025 Johnson County Fair.
“Gerry and Marie have a cow/calf operation northwest of Buffalo where they raised their children, Shawn and Heidi, instilling the Western values of hard work, perseverance, respect for the land and loyalty to their community,” reads a blurb about the award on the JCCW website.
“Gerry and Marie have lived a life dedicated to agriculture which goes beyond their family operation,” the website continues, noting Marie has been a longtime member of JCCW and Gerry enjoyed a long career as an ag teacher “passing on his knowledge of this industry and in the trades crucial to running a successful ranch.”
“Gerry has shaped the future of not only his family but countless young people of Johnson County, helping the agriculture industry in general, not just his own operation,” the website adds.
Gerry attended the summit, expressing gratitude for the award on behalf of his family. He also praised the JCCW for their efforts in increasing education and community involvement with the cattle industry, calling the organization “a tremendous asset to the agricultural industry.”
Afternoon session
The afternoon continued with presentations from Sara Hollenbeck, a Montana rancher and entrepreneur who is passionate about connecting consumers to agriculture.
Her presentation focused on creative marketing in agriculture and hands-on marketing strategies for ranchers.
Hollenbeck markets beef, pork and lamb directly to consumers through her company High Five Meats and has been featured in national and international media including FarmHer and the PBS series Moveable Feast.
Known online as “Sara the Sheep Lady,” Hollenbeck also uses social media as a tool to advocate for agriculture.
The event concluded in the evening with shopping opportunities from several vendors and a private screening of “The Real Yellowstone” documentary at the Buffalo Theater.
Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
