For many, 4-H becomes a way of life, for the rest of their life. As I reminisce about growing up in this organization, I can’t help but think of how it molded me into the human I am today. Living the 4-H pledge outload, every day, is one of my greatest accomplishments!

I cannot let October slip by without recognizing one of my favorite things that is a part of my past, present, and future. While most people wouldn’t immediately recognize October as such an important month in the 4-H organization, I will tell you that it actually is! October serves as the home of National 4-H week.

It is sort of a bitter sweet time of year. I am super thankful for our mild fall temps that allowed us to enjoy an extended growing season. It made for a bountiful harvest and a full pantry that will be enjoyed all winter long. I am ready to let my garden rest and recharge, just like those ole cows that we just weaned those calves off of. I am ready to dream of next spring.

These are price discovery centers where sellers of cattle meet with buyers of cattle to take part in the greatest business transaction in the American economy! It is a cattle producers dream scenario, multiple buyers, a competitive bidding process, and reporting of the transaction in real time on that marquis sign above the sale ring in addition to post sale reporting. And for those that are really lucky you round out the day with that perfect piece of sale barn café pie!

Fall is such a busy time on the farm and ranch. There is an energy across rural America that just has to be experienced to be known. The chant of auctioneers and the gavel dropping at salebarns is the anthem that plays as the fall cattle run is in full swing.

My grandma always had a garden, more modest in size than her own mothers and a beautiful strawberry patch, if you asked me back then I could have sworn that we put up more sweet corn than anyone in the county and she had probably thee best garlic dill pickle recipe!

I want to give you a little glimpse into the rear view mirror of Karina Jones so you can see why I am so passionate about this way of life. I grew up with a great grandma that was tough as nails even though she couldn’t have weighed 100 pounds. Visiting her humble ranch home was truly a walk back in time.

Welcome to Ranch Raised! A brand-new program on your radio dial where we are going to talk about daily country life! I’m your host, Karina Jones. Tune in every week day to get a glimpse of life on the ranch.

It has taken me a lot of chocolate to get through this week, which means I have a lot to recap for you!

First of all, Texas A&M submitted a book, literally a book to the House Ag Committee last week that was entered in to testimony for the hearing on the state of the livestock industry. It literally denounced all the reforms that cattle producers like you and I are working for because after all, sitting behind a desk with their keyboard, they apparently know the woes of you and I’s business better than we do.

BIG Thursday Price Discovery Edition of the Hot Barn Report!

Heard ONLY on American radio stations across the nation and online at hotbarnreport.com!