May 2024
Member Appreciation Dinner
We had great fellowship over a homemade dinner, awarded our 3 beef grants, awarded the Hernando County Grand Champion Producer Award and said farewell to our current officer team, thanked the volunteers and inducted the new officer board!
Beef Grant Recipients
Junior Beef Grant winner Louella Harper
Intermediate Beef Grant Winner Shelby Lynch
Senior Beef Grant winner Walker Scott
Hernando County Grand Champion Born and Bred Producer award - Mike Walker and Walker Family Shorthorns
April 2024
Giving Back
Mrs. Dani Scott presented a check to The Life Center that came from the proceeds of us raffling off the Branded Bench from the Burgers and Branding Dinner. The Life Center has been in desperate need for some help with the costs of living. We are so blessed to be able to help them and other organizations.
Monthly Meeting
Our April meeting started with an outstanding fellowship time and the best food provided by members. Then we went through some recent business, recapped the Expo and other things. And held our officer elections. Mrs. Melissa Simmons stepped into Presidency, Mrs. Dani Scott became Vice President Elect, Mrs. Daniella Dye became our Secretary, and Mrs. Brittany Huston become our new Treasurer.
Community Involvement
Elaine Sullivan represented HCCW at the Brooksville Rotary Club meeting held at Southern Hills Plantation Club, April 25. She presented a very informative talk on the history of beef cattle in Florida and her families ranching heritage here in Hernando County. Elaine also talked about cattlewomen programs on a county and state level. She highlighted our events and activities from the Show Steer Series to Gourmet Burger Bash and our Secret Shopper program. Elaine was joined by Juanita Sikes and Valerie Ansell.
March 2024
Monthly Meeting
This month, HCCW was hosted by Central Florida Beef and Dave Smith. Dave and Colton cooked up some incredible Beef Brisket and the officers brought the rest. We had a great meeting, preparing for the upcoming FawExpo and nominating new officers.
Fl Ag & Wildlife Expo
HCCW was privileged and honored with setting up multiple times during the expo to help the kids out. We had a breakfast bar set up during the Steer Weigh In and served dinner on Steer Show night. As well as, because of our fundraising efforts, we were able to give Add-Ons (Donations) to ALL the Steer Exhibitors. We were available for help and/or questions the whole time. We also handed out Beef Grant and Scholarship Applications.
Hernando Born and Bred
HCCW was honored to partner with Hernando Cattlemen to Sponsor the First Hernando Born and Bred Division at the Fl Ag and Wildlife Expo. We had a total of 19 Steer entered, of which, 10 of them received Blue ribbons and competed in the final drive. Mrs. Rayanne Braswell and her Steer won Grand Champion, Lane Goodwin and his Steer won Reserve Champion, Annabelle Simmons and her Steer won Third Overall, Heather Haney and her Steer took Fourth Overall, and Lane Goodell and his Steer took Fifth Overall
February 2024
Florida State Fair Booth
We had so much fun at the Florida State Fair Cattlewomen Booth. Photo - L-R - Elaine, Cheryl, Amy, Melissa, Marlene, and Dani. We cooked up some beef sausage and beef steak kabobs to hand out to fair goers. We talked to so many people about the benefits of beef and the industry. We will absolutely keep continuing to participate.
Squirrel Hunt
HCCW set up a booth at the annual Squirrel Hunt hosted by Stable Faith Cowboy Church. We handed out free gifts and sold raffle tickets for our incredible cornhole boards made at our Burgers and Branding Dinner. We had fun even though it was a wet Fl day. The boards were won by one of our own, Shelby Lynch.
Cattle Clinic Finale Show
What an event...
The show went off without a hitch and we 30 youth participate. Several heats in each division battled it out and we got our top 5 in each age group. After the stiff competition judged by Mr. Jeff Vermillion, everyone was supplied with a lunch made by Hernando Cattlemen. Once everyone had full bellies and calves taken care of, we raffled off thousands of dollars worth of prizes to the youth. It was such a fulfilling day.
January 2024
Jan Meeting and Demo
Our January meeting was filled with updates and reminders of upcoming events and ended with an absolutely amazing cooking demo by our incredible Amy Harper of 3rd Acre Farm. We are obsessed when she cooks for us.
promoting beef
We love to set up and not only promote beef but promote our friends and local businesses. This month, we had a booth at an event at Hart's Meat Market.
cattle clinic
Our Jan clinic was an informational packed event. We had Dr. Alex Young for health certificates and advice, kids got weights on animals, great show practice in the arena, and ended with a record book seminar to sharpen everyone's knowledge.
December 2023
SFCC country festival
HCCW had an informational booth set up at the festival held at Stable Faith Cowboy Church. We had several members participate in the Feed Bag Fashion Show, it was a hoot. Great community event and amazing teamwork from members.
cattle clinic
With Christmas around the corner, we treated the kids to an incredible Hot Cocoa Bar (homemade hot cocoa) while they worked with the cattle in the arena, recorded weights and learned all about grooming and clipping from Madison Hartwig.
hccw christmas party
We had a really short business meeting that led right into our Christmas Party, complete with White Elephant Gift Exchange, Appetizers and Hot Cocoa. Great fellowship and fun times.
Secret shoppers
One of our favorite parts about December is being able to surprise unsuspecting people with money at Christmas time. We decided to give away 20 Beef Certificates to random people buying beef in the grocery store. This didn't just brighten their days and holiday, but ours as well.
little wranglers
Several members took time on new years eve, to go work with the little kids at Stable Faith. This day, we taught the kids about beef by-products using Bingo. They had so much fun, and really did learn something too.
November 2023
burgers and branding fundraiser
This was our first year trying the idea of a gourmet burger bar. It was a hit. We just about sold out of tickets and had a record crowd. The Cake Sale was a blast with a couple going into a bidding war. The silent auction was just as interesting, With several bringing in major funds. With the help of all of our sponsors and donors, this fundraiser will stay at the top of the list for some time. If interested, please follow our facebook page for the 2024 Fundraiser Dinner.
Cattle clinic
This cattle clinic allowed the kids to weigh their animals, get their hooves trimmed, work in the arena with a judge and fellow competitor for tips and advice, then they also had a sit down showmanship seminar. We already saw improvement with some of the youth from the first clinic.
business meeting
We had so much to talk about in this meeting, the previous Fundraiser Dinner and clinic, all new business, as well as having a couple guest speakers. Our very own, Jr Beef Ambassador Shelby Lynch, spoke about what it takes to be a beef ambassador. And Entrepreneur Britta Anderson spoke about her new product development, the trough liner.
October 2023
cattle clinic
The kick off to the Show Cattle Clinic Series. October, we had Jeffery Mitchell talk nutrition to the kids and help with any tips on weight gain and feeding programs. After getting weights and practicing, the kids were encouraged to dress up with their cattle for a contest. Pictures are in gallery, so cute. We also had Dr Doug Davenport there writing health certs for any cattle that needed it, and went over each animal with the kids on health and care.
breast cancer walk
October being the month of Breast Cancer Awareness, we just had to show our support. Melissa, Marlene and Dani, dressed up and represented HCCW at the annual Brooksville Breast Cancer Walk.
little wranglers
This month we partnered with Farm Bureau and had the kids make agriculture inspired posters that then were entered into a contest. We also read them books about by-products while they colored and kept them engaged with learning.
September 2023
kick off meeting
After our summer break, Sept is the month we get back together. We love socializing and fellowship, so we have an appetizer hour, or thirty minutes, eat and chat and then get down to business. We hosted a supply drive for our local Womens Shelter and were able to give them boxes of stuff. Annabelle talked about the upcoming clinics and Dani went over other items on the agenda, promotions and events.
promoting beef
Supporting locals is what we do.
This set-up was at one of our local meat markets, Hart's Meat, Grand Opening.
breakfast at fawe tagging
HCCW love to be there for the youth and take every chance we can get. Here, we supplied donuts and drinks to the youth waiting in line to tag steer into the Fl Ag and Wildlife Expo. Always there with advice and encouraging words. This was also when we would learn how many steer were going to participate in the Hernando Born and Bred division.
July 2023
vacation fundraiser draw
Congrats to the Winner of the Vacation Rental Raffle.
Jesse Robinson won the Homosassa Rental and $50 in Beef Certificates
Robbie Platts won $100 in Beef Certificates, who then gave them back to us to donate to the women's shelter.
promoting beef
Promoting beef is best with a calf in tow. Little Angel brought so many people to the table, handing out beef info and spreading love. Thank you Tractor Supply in Brooksville for allowing us to set up.
little wranglers
Any time there is a fifth Sunday in any month, HCCW members bring Agriculture to the Sunday school classroom at Stable Faith Cowboy Church
June 2023
vacation fundraiser
Homosassa Vacation Rentals donated a 3 night stay at one of their houses on the river. For someone to stay and enjoy what Florida has to offer. The fundraiser was extremely successful and raised so much for us to give back to the community.
promoting beef
We always enjoy setting up our booth and reaching the public about beef and what we do.
2023 Cattlemens convention
We had members attend the 2023 Florida Cattlemen's Convention held in Marco Island. HCCW made a county pride board to display our year, members attended meeting, banquets and dinners. Socialize, fellowship and learn.