Green River Cowbelles/Cattlewomen’s “Heart of the Herd” celebrates 57 years
Several years ago, members of the Green River Valley Cowbelles/Cattlewomen (GRVC) de-
cided it was time to move their annual meeting, committee reports and awards luncheon to the weekend before the cattlemen’s meetings and banquet.
The change gives them more time to highlight their own achievements – especially with many women who are also members of the Green River Valley Cattlemen’s Association (GRVCA).
Trying to accommodate both on the same day meant they missed out on hearing from neighbors and special guests.
Event highlights
This year, GRVC met at Rendezvous Pointe in Pinedale for their “Heart of the Herd” event, with President Haley Clark welcoming local ranch women of all ages – from seven months to 93 years old.
Treasurer Terrie Springman reviewed income and expenses for all of the GRVC’s fundraising projects including the Chuckwagon Days Fourth of July Parade, the Brand Quilt, craft nights and gift sales at holiday bazaars, the Green River Rendezvous and the Sublette County Fair.
On July 4, 2025, Ranch Woman of the Year Susan Hoffman was squired through Big Piney in a decorated Little Jennie Ranch wagon with Foreman Parker Greenwood driving the draft-horse team.
Guest Speaker Trevor Erickson gave every member a morale boost by reminding them the family ranch runs much better with their support, hard work and experiences.
This year’s 90-by-90 inch GRVC Brand Quilt holds 181 brands.
Ranch families can participate for five dollars per brand. A decision to offer a brand’s eternal presence every year for $50 per brand raised more than $3,000 over the past year.
The winning ticket, bought by Kenny Mooro of Big Piney, was drawn on March 7 at the GRVCA banquet.
Award presentation
The highlight of the luncheon – after a meal of beef filet tips and mushrooms in rich gravy – would be the honors bestowed on significant GRVC members.
Mary “Mickey” Thoman was surrounded by family as her daughter Kristy Wardell related her many achievements in every aspect of agriculture and horsemanship. She was honored as a GRVC Lifetime Member.
Marsha Barlow was stunned to hear the story of her ranch life unfold as she was named Ranch Woman of the Year. Nominated by Springman and Kailey Barlow, she received flowers, a gift basket and a sturdy steel ranch scene silhouette.
Another prestigious honor is the Friend of Agriculture Award, which was awarded this year to Author, Historian and Rancher Jonita Sommers of Pinedale. Sommers received her honors at the GRVCA banquet on March 7.
“Fair-lyˮ busy
GRVC members are always looking for ways to educate the public about beef, and one anticipated annual event is their Philly Cheesesteak Luncheon at the Sublette County Fair. As soon as the grills are set up, the line begins to form, and it’s so popular, a nearby food vendor quits selling the same sandwiches to support their cause.
Another successful project was making buyers’ baskets Sublette County 4-H and FFA youth showing livestock could gift buyers at the fair’s Junior Livestock Sale.
GRVC members get together for fun family craft nights, resulting in handmade items to sell like brand napkins, glad rags, coffee mugs, cards, caps, T-shirts, tote bags, cookbooks and whatever else their logo might fit on. They are sold at local arts and craft fairs, holiday shows and the fair itself.
After both beef groups supported a new Sublette Bred and Raised class for market beef at the fair, they then created a new category with breeding-quality heifers donated by local ranchers.
The goal is to highlight the heifers in one class, then show new cow/calf pairs the following summer.
The Sublette Select Cow Program offers cash prizes, including $500 donated by GRVC.
Last summer, the show boasted four pairs and seven replacement heifers with $2,100 paid out. So far, 4-Hers will show five pairs and seven replacement heifers.
Officers, old and new
With several officers moving away, Clark agreed to add one more year to her two-year term and Springman volunteered as historian.
After working out how to offset some alternating terms, Vice President Samantha Wardell agreed to tackle her own three-year term.
With the vice president’s chair now empty, Wardell volunteered to take on the role as a mentor, most recently serving as president of GRVCA, and Walden Campbell moved up to leadership.
Both Wardells were unanimously elected, while Springman and Secretary Marsha Barlow were renominated to their longtime offices.
Newcomer Tracy Neidig introduced herself as a candidate interested in the historian position. She was also elected, and all were sworn in by Clark.
Joy Ufford will take over Clark’s earlier commitment to report news to the Wyoming Cattlewomen for its quarterly newsletter.
Other attendees talked about ways to increase GRVC’s public exposure and membership. Ideas ranged from creative how-to and homemaker in-person and virtual workshops, beef cookoffs and more social media presence.
GRVC’s next meeting is scheduled for June 8 at 6 p.m. with a potluck dinner at the Old Daniel School House in Daniel. Visitors, friends, families and new members are always welcome.
Joy Ufford is a corresponding writer for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
