Rodeo pioneer Fern Sawyer, latest addition to Her Land: Women in Agriculture, brings style and fearless attitude to New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

LAS CRUCES, NM – A legacy built stitch-by-stitch, rodeo champion and politician, Fern Sawyer is the latest addition to the “Her Land: Women in Agriculture” exhibit at New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. 

Sawyer pieced together her legacy as a rodeo champion who tore down barriers with her fearless attitude. During her rodeo career, she earned the title of All-Around World Champion in 1938, competed in the first all-girls rodeo in Amarillo where she won nearly every event she entered, and was the first woman to win the Cutting Horse Competition at the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show and Rodeo in 1940. When she retired in 1949, she became a highly sought after rodeo judge. 

Outside of the pen, Sawyer was an active member of New Mexico politics and served as the chairwoman of Lincoln County Democratic party. She carried her passion for rodeo and ranching into her political career as the first woman appointed to the New Mexico State Fair Board and to serve on the New Mexico State Racing Commission. She is remembered by New Mexicans for her involvement and style during grand entrances at the New Mexico State Fair and her collection of 200 pairs of custom boots. 

Learn more about Sawyer in the “Her Land: Women in Agriculture” exhibit through June at New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum (to the left of the lobby) from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Saturday. “Her Land: Women in Agriculture” is a rotating exhibit featuring different women in agriculture who have made strides in the field with their resilience and expertise.