Jenny Boyer recently joined the ranks of MJK Sales & Feed, 290 Ranney St., in Craig as the feed store’s new manager, but she is by no means new to the agriculture business.

Before moving to Northwest Colorado, Boyer worked on a feedlot in Chappell, Nebraska, her home state. There, she did everything from fixing fence to finances. She said that even though the agricultural industry is typically a man’s world, she worked just as hard as her male colleagues.

“I worked until two weeks before my son was born,” she said. “It was quite a sight to see.”

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However, working 11 hours each day for 12 days at a time made raising a child difficult. After meeting her husband, Trent, who lives in Hayden, and seeing the job opening in Craig, Jenny decided it was time to begin a new adventure.

“This gives me more time with my child,” she said. “I’m providing a better life for him.”

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Boyer and her 11 year-old son, Tage, moved into Trent’s Hayden home, which, along with the new marriage, added to the growing list of changes Jenny said she has learned to appreciate.

“You do the right thing and you’ll be fine,” she said.

In her new position, Boyer will be managing a variety of MJK’s business matters. Apart from her work at the feed store, she will also be involved with the business’s overall public relations and advertising departments. She has only been on the job for two weeks, but said she is excited about the work she is doing.

“It’s starting to take shape,” she said. “I’m going to love it.”

Already, Boyer has worked to improve MJK’s brand and mission statement. She developed the slogan “Fix it. Feed it. Build it.” as a way of streamlining the three types of products and services the business offers: hardware, feed, and construction.

Boyer’s background in agriculture has made for a smooth transition into her new job. She is well-versed on the various feed products available, and is able to help customers find exactly what they need.

“Anytime anyone has a question about feed, I’ll have an answer,” she said.

Boyer also has experience in the journalism world. With an associate’s degree in journalism, she has worked for various media organizations in the past. She still dabbles in photography and enjoys writing about her various experiences.

Telling stories is something that has remained an important part of Boyer’s life. It has allowed her to bring a female voice to an industry typically dominated by men.

“Women in agriculture haven’t had a chance to tell their stories,” she explained. “But we are the grit of the business.”

Boyer plans to continue writing and taking photos, publishing occasional columns in the Craig Daily Press. For now, she is excited to take on her new leadership position and is confident she has what it takes to give MJK a bright future.

“If you can mix grit and sweat with compassion, that’s a good recipe to be a good example and a leader,” she said.

French Bistro bids Craig adieu

The French Bistro in Craig has closed its doors. Chef Florence Fraikin and her family opened the restaurant in fall 2014 because of their interest in the culture and people of Northwest Colorado.

The family was not available for comment, but a sign on the door of the building at 1740 E. Highway 40 said owners have moved their business to Laramie, Wyoming.

Cybersecurity education available at Yampa Valley Bank

Yampa Valley Bank’s Craig branch, 435 Mack Lane, will be hosting seminars on cybersecurity and credit and debit card fraud this Wednesday and Aug. 26. The seminars are offered free of charge to individuals and businesses who want to learn more about the online financial dangers and how to operate safely in the online part of the finance world.

Jennifer Bugay, Vice President and Operations Officer of the bank’s Craig branch, said that internet usage has increased substantially in recent years, especially for those doing online banking and shopping.

“This is our way of giving businesses and individuals information to protect themselves,” she said.

Many of the problems people face in the online world arise due to misinformation or lack of information. Debit card fraud has been especially problematic recently, but Bugay said that with proper knowledge individuals can protect themselves from such disasters.

“The more information people have, the more likely people are to make educated decisions,” she said.

The seminars are designed to cater to individuals’ concerns, and people are encouraged to ask questions about the issues they have faced or may encounter in the future.

“We are trying to get in at the forefront of the issue,” Bugay said, emphasizing the importance of the prevention rather than the treatment of cybercrime.

Two seminars will be held on each of the designated dates, one from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and the other from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Those interested in attending are asked to reserve a spot as seating is limited.

For more information and to reserve a seat, call Whitney Showalter at 970-824-0405.

Cen$ible Energy program encourages rebate applicants

The four-month-old local energy efficiency rebate program Cen$ible Energy is in full swing and has provided more than $4,300 in rebates through the end of July to 47 YVEA members in Routt and Moffat counties, according to a press release.

Yampa Valley Sustainability Council Executive Director Sarah Jones, whose nonprofit organization administers the rebate program, said the rebates resulted in almost $24,000 in work for regional energy efficiency contractors and vendors.

Approximately $17,500 in rebate funding is still available through 2015, with a $500 maximum per Yampa Valley Electric Association member. Rebates currently are available for LED lights; EnergyStar appliances like dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators and freezers; programmable thermostats for either natural gas or electric connections; full or partial energy audits; and air-sealing weatherization.

Examples of the rebates include $10 each for up to 10 LED bulbs or $100 total for LED bulbs used more than two hours per day, and $80 to $100 for a new EnergyStar appliance with proper recycling of the previous appliance.

The annual rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis for all YVEA residential and business members with a special outreach to lower income and small business members.

For more information, visit http://www.CensibleEnergy.org or email rebates@CensibleEnergy.org or info@yvsc.org.