Call meeting to order: 9:10 am  Catherine, Tracy, Theresa, Amy, Jill, Kayla, Terry F,

Approval of the agenda:   Addition of speaker Terry Fankhauser . M: Amy: S; Tracy

Guest Speaker: Terry Fankhauser, CCA (see discussion summary below)

Secretary

Approval of minutes: M: Theresa, S: Amy

 

Correspondences:  Letter from Catch Calf – Leah Shirley 24 Nov 2020 (will attach with minutes)

 

Treasurer

Approval of Treasures Report: M: Amy, S: Tracy

++ need to show the deposit of Leon Krane membership

Paid the USPO box for the next year

Paid Tom Rautenkranz for the Catch Calf

Membership dues are due by the end of February 2021

 

Committee Reports:

Scholarship Committee: No new news to report. Reviewing essay question and discuss how to retain family and kids to work in the ranch/farm industry. Discussion to be had on online classes as well as trade school classes.

Federal Lands:

Forest Service: No new news to report

BLM: No new news to report

State Lands: CCA has asked for lease relief for COVID and drought but no news yet on what we might be able to get

Legislative: Discussed by speaker

HPP :  No new news to report

Old Business:

Transfer of website administration to Amy M. & Tracy R., f/u with Deb R.

Goal to have complete before June meeting. More to Tracy than Amy due to commissionership.

New Business:

Membership drive, reaching out to local ranches, businesses and legislative partners for memberships, Fundraising, ideas for Covid friendly fundraising welcome, more Facebook usage for social and educational events, consider adding a donation button, more communication friendly access.

 

Discussion Items:

Prop 114 (wolves) results with Terry Fankhauser from CCA

2021 Catch Calf Sponsor Needed: Ask Walt at Lazy Bull Ranch.

 

Next Meeting: February 20, 2021

Meeting adjourned: 10:32

 

CCA Fall Updates and Discussion with Terry

Prop 114- Grey Wolf Reintroduction

-the bill passed by an incredibly thin margin driven by voters in Denver, Boulder and Larimer counties

-President Trump is expected to federally delist the Grey Wolf as an endangered species sometime in the first quarter of 2021. This delisting sends the authority to individual states to determine the protected status of the species and any reintroduction activity however if grey wolves remain or return to Federally Listed then the federal government gets the final say in any species reintroduction. This possible delisting could be reversed by the incoming administration. At this point the Federal government still has the authority to block Colorado from reintroducing Grey Wolves despite the reintroduction now being state law.

-There will be legislation efforts to try to block and slow down the reintroduction efforts however supporters of reintroduction and other academic groups are now trying to rush reintroduction efforts. Rushing reintroduction would be bad for Colorado and cattlemen. The new state administration is not yet responsive to CCA’s efforts and Governor Polis has asked DOW for a 180 reintroduction plan meaning that as of right now wolves could be in Colorado any time between 180 days and Dec 31, 2023.

-CCA is actively trying to block the rushed legislation and will take legal action against the state if necessary in order to help slow reintroduction for a more thoughtful, prepared and researched plan. Any additional support that members could provide in convincing the administration not to allow this process to be expedited is appreciated.

-Please report any and all wolf sightings to DOW with photos (we can help with information how to report)- any species. Theresa and Amy have both recently seen what might be a Mexican Red Wolf.

Beef and Cattle Market Conditions

-We still need to complete the justice department’s anti-trust investigation and keep pushing them to look into price fixing

-An extension of the Packers Act with some more regulation may be the outcome although pros and cons to additional regulation are being weighed.

-Cash Trade aka Price Discovery

This would add transparency to how bids and prices are determined

This process currently exists only for low quality cattle so it would need work to be more widely applicable for producers in various places and with different product

Price Discovery triggers mandatory price reporting and it exists outside of Colorado but since we only have 2 major packers it has not yet been adapted by out packers. Adoption of this would offer only a few months for packers to comply with the triggered price reporting and if they do not comply, legislatively we could follow a utilities commission style processes to correct price fixing

-Colorado needs: better oversights for packers and stock yards, LMR and Price Reporting needs to be expanded (policy is currently on its way to congress, packers need to comply with Price Discovery and triggering, last resort will be more legislation in order to achieve these things

-There are 4 major packers in the US but a 5^th is expected to open soon

-As an industry we cannot continue to tolerate price declines or let this issue go – when demand skyrockets prices should adjust also and not continue to be suppressed

-Growth of smaller regional plants/packers may help (~100-1000 head per day capacity)

CCCA Meeting Agenda
27 June 2020 Annual meeting
Hartsel, Colorado
Springer Ranch
278 Cherokee Trail

Call meeting to order: Called to order 11:57am

 

Approval of the agenda: Added Catch Calf, Added Fair Belt Buckles

                                    M: John W, S: Tracy R

Secretary

Approval of minutes: M: Theresa S, S: Deborah R

Correspondences: Passed around Catch Calf letters from Chloe Hock

Treasurer

Approval of Treasures Report: M: Dennis S, S: Deborah R

Committee Reports:

Scholarship Committee: There are two applicants. Robert Woodward attending Colorado School of Mines to study computer sciences with development into using programs and technology to improve ranching. Awarded $750.00 with the ability to reapply annually.

            Mikala Balthazor is attending Colorado State University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. She will be contributing her education to the cattle industry. Awarded $1000.00 with the ability to reapply annually.

Theresa Springer is still looking for committee members to assist with getting scholarship information out to the students and working to give this money away.

There was also discussion on updating our scholarship availability to include college classes, trade school classes, and other industry related classes.

Federal Lands

Forest Service: Per Webb S. by phone, there is some campsite development going on that the local folks are fighting against due to concerns of vandalism, trash, trespassing, cutting of fences, opening of cattle gates, traffic from motorized vehicles, disrespect of the land itself. The Water and Land Trust Board along with Amy Mitchell and others are fighting to find a resolution between the ranchers and the recreation groups.

BLM: no news

State Lands: Grazing rates have increased as well as NEW REQUIREMENTS for accessing state wildlife areas and state trust lands. AS of July 7, 2020, a valid hunting or fishing license will be required for everyone 18 or older attempting to access any state wildlife area or state trust land leased by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (per Flume article 5/29/2020 attached)

Legislative:

HPP: New fiscal year has begun JULY 1, 2020. They have been awarded an increased amount of funds to spend on projects. Next meeting is July 28, 2020.

Old Business:   N/A

 

New Business:             Bylaws & Constitution – The Bylaws were reviewed to correct a few spelling errors, but no other changes were made. NEW copy attached. The Constitution was reviewed, and the scholarship section has some updates. Section 5. Scholarship Committee is where the changes have been made. Please get familiar with the changes. NEW copy attached.

Website – Continue or dissolve: After many meetings and lots of discussion the current website will remain until MARCH 2022. New changes to the site will included maintain the page by secretary and post minutes as pdf files, as well as notifications to members when something has changed. M; John W, S: Theresa S.

 

Discussion Items:        Scholarship – Review and Award: See Scholarship Committee above

Dues – Dues are due at the first meeting in the new calendar year.

Fundraisers – Covid friendly/internal order of shirts, hats, vest with CCCA logo: discussed but not really supported. Joining a local event that has not yet been cancelled: discussed but not many events we can get involved with due to most everything has been cancelled.

The BEEF RAFFLE: discussion was had to continue or discontinue, length of time for ticket sales, ½ vs ¼ vs private cut order vs package box. Decided to postpone raffle this year until we get more people to attend a meeting and discuss further.

Fair – CCCA was asked by Ellie Woodward to sponsor two belt buckles for the Breeding Heifers at this years county fair. They are $90.00 each. M; Theresa S., S; Tracy R. A check was written and given to John Woodward from the scholarship account for $180.00 on 6/27/2020 for these buckles.

Membership – Discussion was to invite the county commissioners, state representatives, business owners, and anyone else who would like to participate in or support CCCA to join with variable membership dues.

Officers – Catherine Rautenkranz reelected as President, Theresa Springer reelected as Vice-President (NOT Ascending to President), Tracy Rautenkranz will remain Secretary and Deborah Reuter will remain Treasurer.

 

 

Next Meeting – OCTOBER 3, 2020 place is still TBD

Meeting adjourned: 3:00 pm

This meeting was attended by Catherine Rautenkranz, Theresa Springer, Tracy Rautenkranz, Deborah Reuter, Dennis Springer, John and Beth Woodward, Amy Mitchell.

Thank you to the Springers for hosting this meeting at their ranch.

BYLAWS JUNE 2020

CONSTIUTION CCCA JUNE 2020

CCCA Meeting Agenda

(March 28, 2020), moved to April 18, 2020

Virtual meeting (Hartsel) Colorado

Call meeting to order: 09:00 Recorded by Kayla @ CCA, Thank you Kayla for helping set the virtual meeting today.

 

Approval of the agenda: No edits. M: Theresa, 2^nd Dennis: Aye

 

Secretary:

Approval of minutes: M: Dennis, 2^nd Theresa: Aye

 

Correspondences: Catch-a Calf Letter post marked 3/28/2020 to be e-mailed with today’s minutes; newsletter from Independent Cattlegrowers – no news to share

 

Treasurer:

Approval of Treasures Report: not sent to Catherine or Theresa for this meeting, Will get and send out with the minutes of today. Attached is Treasurer Report as of May 10, 2020

 

Committee Reports                             

Scholarship Committee: Theresa, has feelers out for people to be committee members, applications due May. Aiming to have new committee determine scholarship awards by graduations in mid-May

NEED more committee members to hold for discussions of awards

FORM a new committee

Would like to consider the “Online” classes taken due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Federal Lands

Forest Service: No news

 

BLM:  No news

 

State Lands: No news

 

Legislative: CARES Act – Some fellow AG folks are seeing some relief payments already but we are not currently sure of the details for those.

CCA is currently investigating the packers for profit/price manipulation and corruption. We hope to have more details to share on this for the annual meeting about the impacts on producers.

Some talk of FEMA having funds to assist in ranching help.

 

 

HPP: Fiscal year starts again July 1, 2020

 

Old Business: under discussion items

 

New Business: under discussion items

 

Discussion Items:

• Springer Scholarship:

Daigen Springer: wasn’t paid for fall 2019 semester, has now been sent to the school,

• 2020 Scholarships: meeting in May for awarding discussion,
• M-Theresa, 2^nd-Tracy, AYE, for formation for new committee on scholarships for 2020. Review/discuss in May for $750.00 annually. Theresa to find members.
• Bills: as of Jan. meeting we had approx. $150.00 in general acct. Not enough to cover current bills.
  • Post Office Box: $56.00 year, no 501C discount: Must keep bill
  • Scholarship funds were used to pay CCA dues of $250.00 “refundable” if in good standing at end of year. CCA intends to not return the funds but rather keep the “refund” towards the next years due rather than pass checks back and forth. Must keep bill.
  • R-Calf is not as friendly or pro-CCCA right now enough to warrant paying for membership, voted in February not to pay.
  • Independent Cattle Growers: postpone membership until we can afford it again or decide to end our affiliation; voted not to pay. M-Theresa, 2^nd Dennis; Passed Not to pay.
• Website: Website $250.00 bill was paid by Hitchin Post for annual domain registration, discussion of not having the funds in our general account to pay for a professionally managed website. Discussion included the sustainability of a member covering the bills, and the possibility of having a student/job corp./or volunteer to maintain or teach a member to maintain a website.

We can use the CCA website free of charge and have our own attached page from their site, and they also have other discounted platform ideas we can use. Decision to cancel/close the current website to happen at annual meeting.  M-Dennis , 2^nd Tracy: Aye

• Annual Meeting: due to COVID-19, we will have a more casual meeting without a dance, auction, or formal dinner. Agenda will be kept to a few short critical 2020 decision items up for vote followed by a member social for some fun and togetherness.

Current Proposed Plan:

When: JUNE 27, 2020 Saturday

Where: Fairplay Park, Hartsel Park – TBD, private ranch (somewhere outside, with bathrooms, easy prep of hot meal/grill items

Food: potluck, grill

Agenda topics: bylaws and constitution: review for clarification and updates, officers, scholarships, website

• Fair: CCCA not participating this year,

Catch Calf:  ?? happening, checking with John Woodward

Bucket Calf: COVID19 dependent; possible for future years as well

• Wolf Information Event: on hold off until COVID-19 allows a gathering to happen; CCA will be partnering; hoping to spread community awareness
• Fundraising: Dance/Dinner and Silent Auction were not as profitable as expected and more effort than members seem up for this year, want to try more simple approach such ideas as: Pie Auctions, 50/50 raffle, Chili Challenges, at local events such as Burrow Days, Florissant Days, Hartsel Days, Bailey Days, etc. Other ideas are always welcome.

General account: will be focus of this years fundraising

Scholarships: Maybe write letters to a business/organization for donations to scholarships/account

• Membership: pursue/introduce at a social/community event then get to join as formally/paid members as to not bog down new interest with our general business meetings

Dues due: first meeting of year, (Jan or Feb), paid members please join our Facebook Group as a member, if you have not yet paid for 2020 please send your dues to Deb/PO Box ASAP

Facebook/ Newsletter: work on generating interest and communications by sharing some crazy story, favorite picture, Commissioner questions

Encourage the COMMERCIAL memberships- determine a due structure for them as we do have some non-cattle interest for membership/participation. We could also use this to become more established in our community. One proposal is: 25.00 first year, 50 second+ year: Or: try for 50 every year, amount can be varied: Catherine and Theresa to compose a letter to send out and a membership certificate.

Sub committee to determine $ for tiered membership

 

GOOD NEWS TO SHARE:

** Member AMY MITCHELL voted PARK COUNTY VOLENTEER OF THE YEAR! **

Congratulations Amy!

 

Next Meeting – Annual Meeting JUNE 27, 2020

 

Meeting adjourned: 10:50 am.

 

Virtual Meeting attended by: Catherine R., Kayla (CCA), Jill S., Dennis S., Theresa S., Tracy R.

 

Call meeting to order: 9:05

Introduction:  Guest Speakers

• Steve Vincze Running for County Commissioner District 1. Anti-Wolf, pro 2^nd Amendment and wants all road to be addressed including snow removal, to better all roads.  Please call with comments, advise etc.. (flyer and business card attached)

 

• Amy Mitchell running for County Commissioner District 1. Listen to all areas and concerns throughout District 1.   Support veterans, ranchers.  On many committees to help better Park County.  Anti-Wolf, stop raising taxes use what we have. (flyer and business card attached)

 

Approval of the agenda:

• Printed out wrong one added Amy Mitchell motion to approve updated agenda by Amy Mitchell seconded by Tracy Rautenkranz.

 

Secretary

Approval of minutes:

• Motion to approve Minutes by Tracey Rautenkranz seconded by Amy Mitchell

 

Correspondences:

• Chloe Hock sent out 2 letters with updates and a picture of her catch-a-calf (see attachments)

 

Treasurer

Approval of Treasures Report:

• Motion to approve treasurer report by Tracy Rautenkranz seconded by Amy Mitchell
• Check for wolf contribution goes to CCA this will help keep CCCA and our members hidden from those that are pro-wolf. R-Calf working against CCA John Woodward wants to talk about possibly not renewing membership with R-Calf. Assess benefits of R-Calf

 

Committee Reports

Scholarship Committee: N/A

 

Federal Lands

Forest Service: N/A

 

BLM: N/A

 

State Lands:

 

Legislative:

• John suggests go to CCA website org then go to tracking list and see the bill that are trying to be passed and kills. Interesting to see what we are up against and CCA helping us out, fighting it.

 

HPP:

• Put plan in place of goals, numbers of Elk, Deer and Moose of certain amounts in 5 areas, HPP out of money but State is will to help. Next fiscal year starts July 1, 2020.  Next meeting March 31^st at Fairplay Community Center at 10am

 

Old Business

• Executive Committee updates: Theresa Springer has volunteered to be Vice President, Secretary Vacancy immediately (Tracy volunteered to take over secretary role)
• Committee sign ups. Sub committees communications (i.e. Newsletter, events, fundraising –set up and break down), scholarship committee, “steering” committee CCA, HPP, wildlife resources etc…
• Sign-up sheet attached. Please help!

 

New Business:

• CCA Mid-Winter conference recap – Catherine went to mid winter in Denver tons of wolf discussion, legislative, participation down for CCA and many affiliates as well. Get dues paid, encourage current membership to engage and help more.  Don’t do a membership drive try to have current members help out more.   Highway safety in rural areas, trade agreements, animal welfare, Cow farts aren’t that bad!

Next CCA meeting to be held in Colorado Springs in June.  Stay tuned.

• Newsletters we haven’t had anything started yet, want to send one out on a monthly basis. Highlight our members including when we get new members. Updates from CCA links will be in there.  Money insights, local happenings, ballots etc..   If you would like anything added to newsletter please contact Catherine.
• Wolf ballet measure

 

Discussion Items:

• Wolf Campaign contributions with CCA. Thank you for all your efforts in supporting us in the effort to help get the information out to STOP the wolf reintroduction. We tried to send $1,000 from CCCA however we did not have the funds in the general account, so CCCA sent out $500 plus member donations.  If you have any ideas on how to raise extra $500 or we can just leave it at that and have members pledge the money. Please contact Catherine for further insight, questions and ideas.
• 2020 fundraising goals silent auction and/or any fundraising goes to general account to help get funds up.
• 2020 Speaker topics/guests of interest

 

Next Meeting –

March 28^th

Mid may,

June

 

Meeting adjourned 11:02am