After more than a decade of welcoming members, supporting the Gathering, and helping steward the mission of the Western Folklife Center, Development Manager & Membership Director Carolyn Trainor is retiring. Read more about Carolyn’s deep commitment to the stories and communities of the American West, and the kindness and care she brought to every part of her work.

Jordan Wright helped shape the last three Gatherings through food, friendship, and thoughtful creativity. A beloved member of the Elko community, Jordan brought people together everywhere he went, leaving behind laughter, connection, and a lasting mark on all of us.

Even if the lines of a memorized poem begin to fade, the feeling of the poem persists. This month, we ask the cowboy poets a question posed by a nurturer of storytelling and rhyme, Mother Goose, “What was the first poem you committed to memory, cowboy or otherwise, and why has it stayed with you?”

The first markers of spring are meaningful when you work close to the land. This month, as we inch closer to greener pastures and longer days, the cowboy poets share spring-inspired poems as varied as the season itself as they answer this question, “What’s a spring moment on the ranch that has stayed with you long enough to become a poem?”

From beloved horses to ornery cows, this month the cowboy poet columnists reflect on the memorable animals in their lives that inspired a poem.

“I've traveled all over the world and met many amazing people, but this cowboy community certainly holds its own,” writes renowned painter William Matthews as he recounts how attending the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1986 changed the course of his career.

“[The Gathering] continues to teach me that there are many ways you can be a member of the western community, and contribute to its future,” writes musician Lilly Platts as she reflects on how songs, poems, and art help foster western culture, appreciation, and community.

The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering went on the road to Las Vegas for the last few days of the NFR. We had four days of an amazing gift show, three days filled with poetry and music, nightly NFR watch parties, and so much more. What happens in Vegas, we want to share!

We’re heading back to Las Vegas this December for the National Finals Rodeo, and you’re invited to join us at the Ahern Hotel, Dec. 10–13, for National Cowboy Poetry Gathering on the Road!

Morgan Buckert turned a childhood admiration of handmade cowboy boots into a career as a custom cowboy bootmaker. Morgan consciously weaves traditional bootmaking with her deep knowledge of the people and places of the West. In this Q&A, we talk with Morgan about her experience making boots and connecting with other makers at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

In this month's Ask a Cowboy Poet column, the cowboy poets talk about a person who is part of their Cow Town State of Mind community alongside their family and crew. And, we want you to answer the question too!

“You can express, you can carve whatever you want,” says acclaimed saddlemaker Pedro Pedrini in his Q&A with the Western Folklife Center. Pedro came to Elko from France in the 1970s to study saddlemaking. Now, five decades later, Pedro has his own saddle shop in Spring Creek, Nevada, and works with his son Tony. Pedro and Tony will be co-teaching a leather carving workshop at the 41st Gathering.

“Sharing poems and songs about those aspects of our agrarian lives that were personal and deeply felt did a lot to humanize us,” writes Gail Steiger as he reflects on what cowboy poetry means and the connections it opens up.

This month, the cowboy poets discuss their pre-show rituals that help them reign in uncertainty and corral confidence as they answer the reader-submitted question, “Do you have any habits or superstitions that are part of your pre-performance routine?”

This month, the cowboy poets give tips and tricks for wrangling rhymes as they answer this question, “How do you find your rhyme? Are there any tools or tricks that you turn to when the rhymes aren't coming?”

"For my humanity, I turn to cowboy poetry," writes poet Jonathan Odermann in this ode to listening, healing, and the connecting power of poems shared.

“The Western Folklife Center will be forever in Daniel’s debt… that’s why we’re thrilled to tell you he won’t be straying too far.”

Executive Director Kristin Windbigler’s writes this guest column to provide critical context to the Elko Daily Free Press’ article about our financial challenges, and what’s next for the Western Folklife Center.

This month, the cowboy poets gather some of the most meaningful moments from their time in Elko as they answer this question asked by Feeling Nostalgic, “Could you describe a uniquely memorable moment you experienced at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko?”

This month, the cowboy poets describe their observations of the fall season as they answer this question posed by Feeling like Fall, “How does the land, and the animals you surround yourself with, change as the days get shorter and darker?”