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?”

This month, the cowboy poets whittle down a wide question about their writing as they answer this quandary asked by @carteagraphy, "How do you distill the vastness of the vistas you encounter into the slim space of a poem?"

This month, Elko local and Basque elder Bob Echeverria tells us about the practice of makila carving.

This month, the cowboy poets mull over a dilemma “as old as human fingernails” as they answer a question about transition planning for generational ranches.

This month, the poets describe their “heaven on earth” as they answer this question asked by Anonymous, “What is your favorite place on Earth?”

This month, the poets are asked a question by another poet. Jonathan Odermann asks, “"When inspiration strikes...what is the silliest, strangest, or otherwise most unconventional way you've managed to record a poem before it escaped your consciousness?"

Tipping over horses, caving in the sides of pickups, and charging to kill. While most range cows get ornery every once in a while, some of them become legendary for their temper. This month, the cowboy poets answer Cowpoke’s question, “What’s a story about the most ornery cow you ever came across?”

This month, the cowboy poets reflect on the crucial sensory ingredients that combine to make memorable poetry as they answer this question posed by @carteagraphy: “How much do you think about the sound/music versus the imagery of your poem?”

In her blog, Gathering Manager Callie Greenhaw boils down her first time managing the Gathering, and two-plus decades of attending the Gathering, into two words.

This month, the cowboy poets discuss artistic license in poems as they answer a question posed by The Man Who Didn’t Shoot Liberty Valance: “Could you comment on how you approach decisions about taking artistic license in your writing? Also, could you comment on any historical poems you’ve researched where you’ve found the legend has outpaced the truth or the truth is in fact stranger than fiction?”

Respected buckaroo, horseman, and ranch manager Jeff Mundell advocates for the role of the horseback cowboy in a collaborative, future-oriented, regenerative agriculture movement. Read Jeff’s essay about shifting “The Cowboy” archetype with conversations across occupational cultures that connect story-wise cowboys, data-wise scientists, and the living flora and fauna that tie them together.

For this leap year, DW Groethe and Bill Lowman share poems about the longest of Februarys. February, these are your songs.

Whether they’re herding, heading, guarding…or sharing a beer at the end of a long day…some dogs just make an impression. This month, the poets reflect on the cattle dogs (and companion dogs) that have come their way, answering Crazy About Canines’ question, “Who was the best canine companion you ever had the pleasure of working with?”