We Value Our Ranch Wives And Moms

Although Mother’s Day has come and gone, I think it’s important to show appreciation of the women who raised us. My mom, Peggy, is a pretty incredible woman. In addition to raising three daughters, she is my dad’s right-hand man on the ranch. She can cowgirl up with the best of them -- wrangling calves, driving tractor, cleaning manure out of stained blue jeans, grilling up a savory steak, baking the best cookies ever, offering advice on life, or helping out with a school project. Seriously, she can do it all.

It’s obvious that Meghan, Allie, Trenton, Tyler and Eric Blythe, of White City, KS, feel the same about their mom. While most moms get flowers on Mother’s Day, these youngsters nominated their mom, Debbie Lyons-Blythe, for Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012.  

Lyons-Blythe was selected as the Southwest Region’s Farm Mom of the Year by a panel of judges from American Agri-Women and Monsanto. Her nomination was then posted to www.AmericasFarmers.com, along with those of the four other regional winners. Online voting determined Lyons-Blythe the national winner, just in time for Mother’s Day.

“What an honor that my children and my aunt, who is also a busy rancher, would nominate me for America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, especially this time of year when we are often working until 9:30 at night and focused full-time on getting cattle bred, fences fixed and cows to grass,” says Lyons-Blythe. “I’m flying high with the support I’ve been given from people who matter the most to me. I love to say I raise kids and cows – and I really love both.”

The Blythe family raises Angus cattle, where Debbie is the primary rancher. She serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Livestock Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and is an active member of the American Angus Association. In her free time, she writes on her blog, “Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch.”

All five regional winners, including Danni Beer, Keldron, SD; Sherri Lynn Kannmacher, Martinsville, IL; Sarah Peterson, Niles, MI; and Delores “Dee Dee” Clements Darden, Smithfield, VA, won a $5,000 cash prize from Monsanto. And Lyons-Blythe will receive an additional $5,000 for winning the national title, to be awarded at an upcoming ceremony being planned by Monsanto to take place at a Kansas Beef Council event.

Visit AmericasFarmers.com to read more about the amazing farm wives and moms who are the backbone of American agriculture.

Why is your mom important to you? What lessons did she teach you growing up?