Eddy County Cow man Darrel Brown recived Beef Backer Award 2017 at New Mexico Joint Stockmans convention.

DARRELL BROWN BEEF BACKER AWARD, 2017 The Beef Backer Award is presented annually by the New Mexico Beef Council, for outstanding efforts to advance the New Mexico beef industry through Promotion, Education and Research. This year’s recipient, Darrell Brown, epitomizes the “unsung” volunteer, never noticed or praised for the nearly 30 years he has been consistently working behind the scenes promoting beef and providing beef education opportunities for youth and consumers. Darrell was appointed to serve on the Beef Council in 2009, and served for six years, the last two years of his term, serving as Chairman of the council. He also served on the Federation of State Beef Council’s Board of Director’s, Beef’s Image Committee. Darrell’s devotion to the beef industry and to promoting beef and the New Mexico Beef Community, began long before serving on the council and the Federation. Darrell and his wife Michel also served as Eddy County 4-H leaders for fifteen years. Darrell is a born and bred New Mexican and has called all four corners of the state “home”. He started out in the 4 Corners area, then moved to the Jicarilla Apache reservation, Roy and Mosquero, Albuquerque, Las Cruces and since 1985, has called Artesia, home. Darrell and his wife Shelly raised their children on the Four Dinkus Ranch and he serves as general ranch manager for the Yates Ranches. Darrell received both his BS in Animal Science and his MA in Agriculture Business from New Mexico State University. Darrell credits his Granddad, Jake Brown, as his mentor and teacher and was taught by example, the value of a good work ethic, living a moral life and the importance of education. One of his granddad’s favorite sayings was, “try to learn something new every day.” Darrel took this lesson to heart, and it explains his unrelenting commitment to teaching others about the attributes of beef, and extolling the stewardship and pride that NM beef producers apply to producing wholesome beef, and caring for their cattle and their ranches. Darrell’s penchant for youth education led him to utilize innovative approaches, such as a puppet show to teach hundreds of school children the importance of stewardship, conducting ranch tours for fifteen years for 2nd graders through the Artesia Public Schools , volunteering for NM Farm Bureau’s Environmental Youth Camp, organizing and building State Fair floats for the Jr. Cattlegrowers, and serving multiple years as co-chair of the very successful Stockmen Care About Kids Promotion done in conjunction with KOB-TV, the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. In addition, Darrell has been actively supportive of the popular Youth Ranch Management Camp, not only serving as an industry mentor to our youth attending the camp, but securing scholarships for students who cannot afford to attend the camps. Darrell’s promotion work goes far beyond the schoolyard. His leadership on the Gate-To-Plate BEEF Tour Committee, didn’t end with the planning, but continued on all the tours. Darrell was often assigned to assist the media in attendance providing accurate information, answering their questions and helping them get the footage and photos they needed. This interaction with the media and influential key leaders in the state, educated them about our families, production methods and our issues… forging understanding and friendships for the beef community. What’s truly special about Darrell is his willingness to show up early, and do whatever it takes to accomplish a successful event. The night before the Food Truck BEEF Throwdown, the brewery parking lot was flooded and required limb cutting, moving gravel and filling potholes before the trucks could park. Darrell was there to do the heavy lifting. Whether it’s setting up or taking down exhibits, loading or unloading vehicles, handing out beef samples to consumers or moderating the beef symposium, Darrell is there to the end, never expecting credit or recognition for his work. Darrell has said, “The Bible and faith are what guides me. I try to and seek God’s wisdom in everything I do. God created this world, so he knows how it should operate.” This was also something his granddad taught him. Darrell’s 30 years of generosity and commitment to the New Mexico beef community has not gone un-noticed. Because we at the Beef Council know that a job well done is rare, it is a privilege to present the 2017 Beef Backer of the Year Award to Darrell Brown.