Collegiate CattleWomen’s group to debut at UW

Laramie – This fall UW will add a Collegiate CattleWomen’s Club to its roster of on-campus organizations. Started by National Beef Ambassador Bekcy Vraspir, the idea is already gaining popularity.
“Fourteen girls already signed up, which I find pretty exciting. We held a meeting about two weeks prior to class letting out this spring and at that point most students aren’t interested in activities for the fall, so to get that amount of interest was great,” comments Vraspir.
The goal for the group is to get college-aged women together who share an interest in the beef industry, explains Vraspir, who hopes students from all aspects of the ag industry will consider joining. The Collegiate CattleWomen will be a unified group in support and promotion of the beef industry.
“Through the group I’m hoping to do some consumer education and promote ag to people of all ages. From elementary schools all the way up to fitness groups and any other organizations that will listen. Being active on campus will provide a lot of opportunities too,” notes Vraspir.
To become an official, recognized group by UW, a petition with a minimum of seven signatures was submitted. The petition explains the purpose of the group, notes where they will meet, names an advisor and includes a constitution and bi-laws.
“We are working on our constitution and bylaws at this time and hope to have everything completed and turned in during the first week of classes this fall. Our advisor is Professor of Animal Science Christy Cammack,” says Vraspir. “One thing that will be mandatory is that each member complete the Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program through the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association (NCBA). I feel that is a very beneficial tool that will help the girls in communicating with consumers and in promoting ag in general.”
Vraspir says the American National CattleWomen have a collegiate membership the UW group would likely join. “Being affiliated with them and attending the cattle industry conferences and seeing what is being done at the national level is something I would like to see happen with this group,” she says.
Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colo. has a very active Collegiate CattleWomen’s group, and Vraspir has been in contact with their advisors. “Maybe in the future we can get together for some promotional things and to meet other Collegiate CattleWomen members,” she comments.
Of her reasons for starting the group, Vraspir says, “I want girls to be aware that there is a state group and a lot of county CattleWomen’s groups that they can be involved in once they’re out of college. Increasing awareness is a great way to get younger members in those groups too. It’s also a great way to promote the beef industry and to meet people with similar interests.
“So far we have a very diverse group with members from around the state and some from out of state and we expect to add more with the incoming freshmen,” says Vraspir.
For more information on the UW Collegiate CattleWomen’s group email Becky Vraspir at rvraspir@uwyo.edu. Heather Hamilton is editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at heather@wylr.net.