New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association extends a congratulations to all of last year’s countywide winners and is also proud to announce the opening of their fifth annual Heritage Buckle Contest. The contest aims to tell the stories of New Mexico’s youth involved in agriculture and highlights the importance of generational ties to land and livestock.

“Our youth hold the keys to the future of agricultural,” says Amanda Culbertson, NMCGA Promotions and Marketing Committee Chairman. “Our youth are great inventors and have a vested interest in our industry. NMCGA wants to help tell their stories and new ideas for our ranching way of life.  We believe the Heritage contest showcases our diverse industry and the families who make their livings at the end of the dirt road.”

Youth, ages 9 to 15 years, in all 33 counties of New Mexico are eligible to apply, but previous winners will not be selected to receive honors. Entries require a 200 to 500 word essay response to the prompt: “What new innovative technologies or practices would you implement to address the current or future needs of agriculture?” Essay submission deadline is May 9, 2025.

NMCGA board members, county fair board members, and award sponsors will collaborate in deciding the final winners from each county. Winners will receive a belt buckle and a one year junior membership to NMCGA. All county winners will then be automatically advanced to the Statewide Heritage Contest, where their essay submissions could earn them a $1,000 scholarship funded through the NMCGA Promotions and Marketing Committee. The state wide winner and their family will be awarded and recognized as special guests during the 2025 Joint Stockmen’s Convention which will be held in December.

 Past State Winners

2024

(L-R) Amanda Culbertson, Jamie Munoz 2024 Guadalupe County Winner sponsored by Jim Thorpe and NMCGA President Bronson Corn

2023

(L-R) McKennon Stephenson, 2023 Roosevelt County Winner sponsored by Pat and Cindy Boone and NMCGA President Loren Patterson

2022

(L-R) David and Macklee Cain, 2022 Torrance County winner, sponsored by Nolberto & Carlene Hernandez.

2021

(L-R): Trey, Kyleigh, Sheila and McKennon Stephenson. Kyleigh was the 2021 Roosevelt County winner, sponsored by Pat & Cindy Boone.