My Story
Valerie is a rancher's wife, teacher, writer, crew cook, quilter and reader. She and her husband, cowboy poet Floyd Beard, live in Southeast Colorado and run Corriente cattle with their daughter and son-in-law. They keep a few Border Collies around to stay humble. Valerie was named the 2022 and 2023 IWMA Female Poet of the Year.
Recognitions
2023 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year
The International Western Music Association named my CD, “No Better Life” the Cowboy Poetry CD of the year in 2023. Many thanks to Jean Prescott for her help with vocals and CD production, Dale Burson for his assistance with background music and vocals, Butch Hause for Sound Engineering, and Jennifer Dennison for photography
2022 & 2023 Female Poet of the Year
Each year the International Western Music Association membership votes on top musicians and poets. In 2022 and 2023 I was honored to be named Female Poet of the Year.
“Time well spent leads to life well lived.”
-Martin Uzochukwu Ugwu
