Plumas-Sierra CattleWomen Disband After 60 Years

After 60 years of CattleWomen, our Plumas-Sierra CattleWomen’s group is calling it quits.

Sadly, we will be no longer. So few people are really interested anymore. We have been a very lively group for 60 years, beginning in 1966 with 44 ranch ladies who wanted to be more involved in the beef and ranching industry. Originally called “The CowBelles,” the name was changed in 1988 as the California CattleWomen were becoming more recognized in the industry for preserving ranching, promoting welfare, and stimulating the growth of agriculture.

Over the years, CattleWomen have created several programs, going into the classroom to read, cook beef, and show our byproducts. The organization also always had a fair booth at the Plumas-Sierra County fair until 2023.

In 1977, we made our first Brand Quilt. Erma Strang, one of our first members, was our chairwoman for the first quilt. All of the income derived from our quilt sales went into our scholarship fund. The first scholarship awarded was $250.00 to a Greenville High School graduating senior interested in pursuing a career in agriculture. We have given scholarships for 47 years to numerous Plumas-Sierra County high school graduates. In recent years, we have been able to provide scholarships of $1,000.00 or more.

In 1973, when Suzi Maddalena was our chairwoman, we got our registered brand napkins in dinner and cocktail sizes. We sold them to county restaurants, and they were a very popular item with the public. In the 1980s, we began selling coffee mugs with local brands, which were also very popular.

Our little cow logo was created through the efforts of one of our most prominent members, Nadine Maddalena, with the help of artist Marilyn Nessler. Over the years, another local artist, Leland Cross, designed and created props for us.

A very popular event, “Ranch Days,” for the Loyalton and Portola Elementary School students, was started over 30 years ago at Dave and Doris Goss’s ranch in Vinton. Besides the children having an opportunity to visit a working ranch, students went to stations where they learned about why cattle are branded, beef byproducts (showing how almost all of a cow is used), the chicken-and-egg cycle, and shepherding sheep. And, of course, students enjoyed the hayride.

Finally, Lynn Stewart, our membership chairwoman for many years, has been an outstanding volunteer, getting information out to our members via e-mail.

It has been 60 years of rewarding and wonderful memories.