Founded in 1961, the Florida CattleWomen, Inc. is parented by the FCA and focuses on issues dealing with fundraising, beef cook offs, recipes, ambassador contests and Southern Women Shows. The Florida Cattlewomen's Association is also a member of the national organization: American National Cattlewomen Inc.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Florida Cattle Women, Inc. is the voice for women in the beef cattle industry. Its mission is to involve and support its members in maintaining and building consumer need and desires for beef through education and promotion and to promote a positive image of the beef cattle industry.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this organization is to foster the well-being of the beef industry through education and promotion, in cooperation with the Florida Cattlemen's Association and the Florida Beef Council.

ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility of membership in the Florida CattleWomen is open to women who are interested in the purpose of the organization. The membership of Florida CattleWomen shall consist of regular, honorary and associate members. Membership in Florida CattleWomen is a prerequisite to serving as an officer, Member of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors or any Committee.To join the Florida CattleWomen, Inc., contact the Florida Cattle Women State Membership Chairman for information on joining you local County, State Florida CattleWomen and National American CattleWomen, or return the completed application to the address shown.
Dues are payable January 1, in the amount of $15.00. (Local dues vary according to the local association.)

Cattlewomen's Report

• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008

Officers

Past Honorees (click a category to get PDF)

• Outstanding Cowbelles
• Outstanding Cattlewomen
• Florida Cowbelle Past Presidents
• Florida Cattlewomen Past Presidents

Beef Ambassadors Program

January 3, 2008 Advisors,
Leaders, and Youth Organizers,
The Florida CattleWomen are looking for a Beef Ambassador. Attached you will find information about the district, state and national contests. Please pass this information on to those interested in public speaking and the Beef industry.All forms must be post marked by the registration deadline, Monday, March 3, 2008. Please contact Christa L. Carlson for more information about District contests.
Visit http://www.nationalbeefambassador.org for the National Information packet.

Christa L. Carlson
FCW Beef Ambassador Program Chair
1303 17th St W
Palmetto , FL 34221(941)
722-4524ccarlson@ufl.edu

GET ENTRY FORM (PDF)

• Rules
  
• Beef Ambassador Interview Scorecard (PDF)
  
• Classroom Presentation Score Sheet (PDF)
  
• Issues Response Score Sheet (PDF)
  
• District Chairs

Out & About

Betty Faye Schlusemeyer This year's Outstanding CattleWoman, Betty Faye Schlusemeyer, was nominated by the Seminole County CattleWomen and Cattlemen because of her time spent on the production side of beef cattle, as well as marketing and promoting the beef product. Betty is a warm and familiar face to the people of the Florida cattle industry and has been for most of her 78 years.

Betty is a third generation Central Florida cattle rancher. She was born in Bradenton, Fla. and grew up in Geneva, where her grandfather, E.H. Kilbee, owned and managed a 10,000 acre cattle ranch bordering the St. Johns River. She was given six head of cattle as a small child and by the age of 14, had a small herd of about 20 cows with her own brand.

She grew up riding the unfenced pastureland after school each day and on weekends as a teenager. She often camped out, sleeping under the open skies with her brother Edward, a bedroll, mosquito netting and the cows. When World War II began, she became a full time ranch hand in the summer months due to the shortage of real cowboys and labor. Betty helped out wherever needed; from tractor work to doctoring infected cows with screwworm. She was a quick study and became quite the cow hunter.

At around 14, she went to the Seminole Courthouse to get a special permit to drive on ranch errands due to her grandfather's poor eyesight. Betty also participated in the WWII Aircraft Warning Service in Geneva, manning the lookout post to identify enemy aircraft and report the sightings. If and when she ever saw one, she would use the only telephone in Geneva to report its whereabouts.

Betty graduated from Sanford High School and went on to the American University in Washington, D.C. After college, she opened Pegasus Riding Stable in Virginia, and met her husband, Bill Schlusemeyer. The couple returned to Geneva to raise their three children down the road from where Betty grew up riding horses and working cows with her family. They built a home close to the ranch and trained horses and participated in numerous civic and community organization.

For over 30 years, Betty managed, worked and owned a 1,500-acre cattle ranch in Seminole and Volusia County, as well as owned and operated a beef cow/calf operation within the local beef industry. Throughout her adult life, Betty has been an active member of both the Seminole County Cattlemen's and the Florida Cattlemen's Association. She has also participated in the Seminole County Cattlewomen's Association, the Farm Bureau, the Geneva Historical Society, the Geneva Historical Museum, the Geneva Citizen's Association, the Geneva Cemetery Board, the Geneva Methodist Church, the Methodist Women's Association and numerous other organizations.

Betty has also been a sponsor and organizer to 4-H activities in the community, school systems and county fairs. Her work has extended to the Scouts and other youth organizations in the education of agriculture and beef. It has always been a goal of Betty's to promote and maintain the beef industry, and she has done so on the local, state and national level. She served on the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Committee for Volusia and Seminole County. Betty has also made the environment her priority by being committed to the stewardship role with the land she uses, including soil conservation, nutrient management and protecting the wetlands and waterways from contamination. In 1991, she was voted the Agriculture Woman of the Year by the Seminole County Soil and Water Conservation District.

To assist the state beef industry, Betty has maintained active involvement within state organizations that promote agriculture and beef in Florida. She has also maintained awareness of legislature changes that affect Florida beef promotion, production and processing. Betty works hard to not only continue the beef industry, but advance it as well. She has updated and improved her ranching techniques to increase farm efficiency and beef herd productivity. She is also dedicated to changing the animal husbandry standards on her ranch to better the breeding of beef cattle for food consumption.

Betty volunteered countless hours of personal time and opened her ranching operation to aid in agriculture consumer awareness. Raising beef cattle was in Betty's family heritage and has been her lifelong love. Throughout her life, Betty has always been there for the cows. If a cow was down and needed her because of calving problems, if there was flooding, drought, fires or anything else, Betty was always there. "The cows don't know that it's Saturday, and they don't care," Betty often says.

Seldom has a day gone by without Betty mounting a horse and going to check on her cows. Even today at age 78, she still rides almost daily on the ranch. She continues to educate people in the ways of agriculture and as a cattlewoman, continues to own, raise, work and promote her own beef cattle. You can still see her at every community parade and activity dressed in her western wear, riding a horse. Betty rides her horse, her tractor and her truck ... and yes, the truck tag says "Beef" on the front, and we bet it always will.
Return to Top

Recipes

Do you have a favorite beef recipe? Send in your favorite recipe, along with a little information about your family and cattle operation. Photos are also encouraged.
Mail To:The Florida Cattleman
P. O. Box 421403.
Kissimmee. FL 34742-1403
or
Email: barbara@floridacattlemen.org

GRILLED LIME-CILANTRO CHUCK STEAKS - 30 MINUTES Marinating time: 1 to 2 hours
1-1/4 lb well-trimmed boneless Beef chuck eye steaks, 1" thick
Marinade:

• 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  
• 3 Tbsp water
  
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped
  
• 1 large clove garlic, crushed
  
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin

1. Combine marinade ingredients. Place Beef steaks and marinade in plastic bag, turning to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 1 to 2 hours, turning occasionally.
2. Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, approx. 16 to 20 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally.
3. Carve steaks into thin slices; season with salt and pepper as desired. 4 servings.
Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

STEAK & POTATO KABOBS - 30 MINUTES

1 boneless Beef top sirloin steak, 1" thick
1 lb all-purpose potatoes, scrubbed, 1-1/2" pieces
2 medium yellow squash or zucchini, halved lengthwise
Sauce:

• 3/4 cup prepared steak sauce
  
• 2 large cloves garlic, crushed

1. Place potatoes in 11" x 7" microwave-safe dish; cover with vented plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH 6 to 8 minutes or until just tender, stirring once; cool slightly.
2. In 1-cup glass measure, combine sauce ingredients; cover and microwave on HIGH 1-1/2 minutes, stirring once. Cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile cut Beef steak and squash into 1-1/4" pieces. In large bowl, combine Beef, vegetables and 1/3 cup sauce; toss to coat. Alternately thread Beef and vegetables onto eight 8" or four 12" metal skewers.4. Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, approx. 10 to12 minutes for medium-rare to medium doneness, turning occasionally and brushing with remaining sauce; do not brush during last 5 minutes. 4 servings.
Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association