RBC | Callie Hendrickson, executive director of the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, and her sister, Janie VanWinkle, co-owner of the VanWinkle Ranch and head of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, are the recipients of the Denver Business Journal’s (DBJ) Trailblazer Award this year. The award is part of the DBJ’s third annual “Who’s Who in Agriculture” program.
According to the DBJ, “despite following different career paths within the industry,” the sisters “have together pioneered women’s roles in the sector and led positive change.”
According to an article in the San Juan Basin Forum, VeanWinkle was nominated by the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, which noted her family’s efforts to work together with cyclists to develop the Palisade Plunge bike trail while figuring out a way to protect the family’s beef operation as well, stating, “Janie has been a leader and a spokesperson for the beef community in reaching out to find common ground.”
Hendrickson has served as executive director of the conservation districts in Rio Blanco County since 2010. She was nominated by a member of the Colorado Farm Bureau where she serves on an advisory committee. Hendrickson is active in land use policy for wild horse management, federal land use, and forest health.
The sisters will be honored with the Trailblazer Award during a virtual event on Thursday, March 18 from 1-2 p.m. An open house event is planned at the Meeker Firehouse during the same time, to celebrate the honorees.
Special to the Herald Times
