2020 CattleWoman of the Year: Karla Cafarelli

Our CattleWoman of the Year for 2020 is an Arizona transplant, after living in various states throughout her life. Around the year 2000, she and her husband Gene visited southern Arizona and decided to move there. Then Gene decided that they should acquire a couple of head of cattle. They started with a Longhorn bull and a cow. The herd grew over the years.  

She was introduced to the Elgin Sonoita Cowbelles by some friends and became a member of that Local. They noticed her taking notes during their meetings and after only a few months, she was elected as secretary. Before long, she was in the middle of many Cowbelle projects and joined the Arizona State Cowbelles, where she again became an active participant.  

She has participated in multiple activities over the years at all levels of the cattlewomen organization. She traveled to Fort Bliss to participate with the All American Beef Battalion to feed the troops a delicious beef meal. She was also co-chair for the Steaks for Troops events that we held here in Arizona. She was co-chair for the Tucson Festival of Books for 3 years as well as participated with multiple Ag Day events, ranch tours, Pioneer Luncheons at the Arizona National Livestock Show, and various other ASC events.  

She is the chair of Sonoita Hills Church and a member of multiple civic and political groups in Southern Arizona. Her many other accomplishments are too numerous to mention. 

She has held the position of ASC secretary for 9 different presidents during 12 of the last 14 years -- longer than anyone else in ASC’s history. Of course, you know now that our CattleWoman of the Year is Karla Cafarelli.