Some say that the cowboy is a dying breed, but I say that there will always be those who carry this great cowboy spirit handed down through the generations.
I consider my role in that legacy a humbling privilege.
My great-grandfather came to New Mexico in 1917 to a new frontier with no fences and very few people. His family’s great pioneer spirit brought them further west to find a new place to raise cattle and build their business as ranchers. From a seventh-grade chore boy to an 18-year-old wagon boss to a successful cattleman, this great spirit has defined my family and led to a deeply rooted heritage within the ranching industry.
In 1969, my grandfather, Sam Elkins, established his branch in that legacy when he settled on our family ranch just west of Artesia in Dunken, New Mexico. My grandmother was born and raised in Cloudcroft, and this land was the perfect place for my grandfather to settle into a ranch of his own while being close to the mountains that my grandmother loved. That piece of land raised three children, each of whom developed an appreciation for the way of life they grew up in.
My dad carried that passion into his own ranch just eight miles down the road where he cultivated in my siblings and me a deeply rooted pride for the cowboy way of life. We were taught not only how to work as a hand but also to value our way of life. My parents trained us in the hard work, risk, grit, and great faith that it takes to live this lifestyle. Our history and heritage were important and made known to us. It took root in our hearts, and now, my children and my nieces and nephew are growing up as 6th-generation ranch kids. My younger sister is pursuing a degree in agriculture while engaging in her own cattle venture. My uncle and his family ranch alongside the rest of us, and almost every member of my family engages in agriculture in some facet. From farm and ranch accounting to those who are involved in the daily operations, we each work to preserve this Western way of life that has given so much to us.
Not only has this passion been woven into the fabric of my family, but in 2009 I was blessed to marry into a family that shares this dedication. My husband and I run a 500-head cow/calf operation on our leasehold just south of my family ranch and on our own place 20 miles south of Hope. We also have the great privilege of owning my grandmother’s retail jewelry store in Cloudcroft. Through this outlet, I am able to utilize my love for Western-style and art. We have recently incorporated a freezer in our store, allowing us to sell our beef. This has created an avenue for sharing our lifestyle and educating the public on the agriculture industry. The ranch and store have been a chance for us to train up our children in the ways that have been passed down to us and to engage our communities. The kids are not only allowed but are encouraged to participate in all aspects of our businesses. From a young age, they have demonstrated the principle of merging work and pleasure. This is not a job for us—it is a lifestyle that melds productivity with quality family time and labor with joy.
It is the cowboy spirit that motivates us to care for the land and animals in rainy times and in drought. But most importantly, it compels us to share the fruits of our labor by not only helping to feed the world but by providing for those in need. We love what we do, and as a family, we realize that God has allowed us to share in this way of life for His greater purpose. Our success is not found in cattle numbers or genetics but in using what we do to serve our Creator and love people. If our beef can help fill people’s bellies so that they may listen to the Gospel and fill their spirits, then we are truly leaving a legacy that matters. Will the cowboy die out? I say never! The spirit of stewardship, hard work, and generosity has rippled through our generations, and our children will carry that forward. As long as there is God’s creation, there will be cowboys to care for it and share it with others.
Article written by Sherida Burnett and originally published in Focus Regional 2023 Winter edition.
Sherida Burnett
From kid and cow wrangling to managing the many aspects of our small businesses, I am an entrepreneur at heart and passionate about the rural life we are blessed to live. I hold a Master of Business degree from NMSU and strive to fuse continual learning and innovation with the preservation of tradition and heritage in all we do. I’m a wife to my incredible husband Denny and mom to our four beautiful children. I enjoy sourcing and curating beautiful turquoise pieces of jewelry at my store in Cloudcroft. My motto is: eat beef, shop local!!!
