Some Boxes, Bags, and a Twist to an Old Tale

It's been quite the day! 

I've been shut in my room for a good part of the day going through eighteen years of memories. No, it's not for the sake of sentimentality, there is a purpose. 

I am officially packing up and moving out of my room. Down come the posters, pictures and momentos (I'm fighting to keep the plaques up- I don't want them stuffed away in boxes!). The "shrine to Courtney," as my dad puts it, will be no longer. 

Why, you wonder? We are having a visitor, a long-term visitor in fact. And since this visitor has more of a need for my room this semester than I do, I'm happy to give it up. 

You remember the MAbA story I told about how the people I met on that trip the summer after my sophomore year have become an important part of my everyday life at college? Well, there's another twist to it. 

Also on the trip were a few past MAbA members who had gone on the trip a few years before us. Before school started, I found out that one of these members was going to be a student teacher in the Trenton Ag Department. So, when I happened to run into her this fall I asked how things were going and it eventually led to getting her in contact with my parents who offered her a place to stay. 

Ironically, she shares the same name as my sister. That should be interesting!

So, here I am with plastic trash bags full of my "stuff" (though I don't like to refer to it like that) and mountains of clutter. I sure hope I am up to the task again tomorrow- it'll be another long day I'm afraid!

Good night, and enjoy this second to last evening before 2012! I wonder what new things this next year will bring... It's sure to be interesting!

Beef: It Can Still be for Dinner!

Beef: It's What's for Dinner. Oh the memories I have of hearing that commercial on the radio! I'm sure if I looked hard enough, I could even find the old magnet that featured this Beef Checkoff sponsored campaign. 

When I was younger, beef was usually what was for dinner. Nowadays, chicken graces the table most often since we raise 50 or so broilers twice a year. Even so, I enjoy being able to eat a nice juicy steak or succulent pot roast when the occasion arises. 

I think most of us can agree beef is tasty, but it often gets a bad rap as being unhealthy and something to avoid.

Rachelle Hochgraber, a registered dietitian who helps consumers at a Kansas City area Hy-Vee make healthy food choices, was a part of a forum I once had the opportunity to listen to. One thing I remember her being very adamant about was that beef is not bad. It's all about making the right choices about portion size, cut of meat and preparation style, not the type of meat.

What is the source of this beef avoidance? High levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, both linked to heart disease. 

Never fear because lean cuts are near! There are 29 cuts of beef that are considered lean, which means they have less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per three-ounce serving. Yes, it's still more fat than a skinless chicken breast, but it's less than a chicken thigh, which though poultry is still high in fat. 

So beef can be a part of a regular healthy diet, but what about for those who need an especially heart-healthy diet? A recent study done by Pennsylvania State University researchers, funded by the Beef Checkoff, has found that adding lean beef as the primary protein source to a heart-healthy diet can be just as effective as using other sources.

The Beef in Optimal Lean Diet study, known as BOLD, broke participating adults with moderately elevated levels of cholesterol into four groups each following different diets:

1. Healthy American Diet (HAD)- followed patterns of a typical healthy American’s diet
2. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)- the typical heart-healthy diet
3. Beef in Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD)- similar to DASH but replaced white meat and plant sources with lean beef as primary protein source (4 oz/day)
4. Beef in Optimal Lean Diet Plus (BOLD-PLUS)- similar to BOLD but with higher protein and lean beef (5.4 oz/day)

The findings?

The percent decrease in LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in the DASH, BOLD, and BOLD+ diets compared to the HAD diet were very similar, with only 1.1% difference.

So, I guess you could stick to the traditional heart-healthy diet of turkey burgers and chicken, or you could just as effectively spice it up with some beef. Remember, the key is balance and portion control!

Check out the complete findings of the BOLD study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, for yourself!

To learn more about beef- from what to know when buying to tips and recipes on preparing, click here.

And, last but not least, for a slightly humorous, but factual, take on the chicken vs. beef misconception, check out this podcast by the Nutrition Diva. 

A New Look...

You might have noticed a bit of a change in view when you opened the blog today.

When I originally started this project before school started, I had very little knowledge on these sorts of things and opted for the easiest and most convenient route. After being around some very techno-savvy students at the university and seeing all these new possibilities, I decided to put a spin on the plain-jane blog and add a few more features.

I am especially excited about the "Useful Links" page. I am speaking honestly when I say I have come across more resources and like-minded individuals in the past few months than I have in my whole life (which granted hasn't been that long...). Anyway, I've added links to a few sites that just off the top of my head are resources I have used and enjoy keeping up with. I will be adding more (I can think of a few I'd like to add as I type) within a few days, and will continue to add as I find things.

Knowledge is power, and it is great to have a few sources of this at your fingertips. If there are any sources you'd like me to add, just let me know and I'll get on it.

As always, if you have input let me know! This is my journey, yes, but I'd also like to help you in yours.

A Word on Technology

One of my favorite cartoons has always been The Jetsons with their out-of-this world (literally) contraptions: cars that fly and fold up instead of parking (oh how I wish this was a reality!), alarm clocks that talk to you, robots that serve as caregivers… The things they could do seemed so outlandish I never expected any of it to become real. Now I’m beginning to wonder.  

This Christmas my parents surprised me with an iPhone. In my journalism classes I’ve seen a lot of iPhones, and we even talk about different applications in class. I knew I needed to learn more about these smartphone capabilities, but it was all so confusing to me, as I’d never operated one myself. I mentioned this to my parents a while back, but never expected them to act on the thought.

This morning as I was exploring some of the apps, I found a compass, weather forecast, Google maps… The list was endless. Sure there were games, but these tools fascinated me. As I held a fully functional compass in my hand, my mind was blown away! I know that must sound awful since I’m technically part of this ‘technology age,’ but I feel pretty lost compared to my classmates. I find it incredibly awesome that these things are at my fingertips (so long as the phone stays charged, which seems like it might be an issue).

Maybe I won’t have a robotic maid that can give me advice, clean the house and prepare dinner for my family, but the technology that is coming into existence rivals the thoughts of the creators of The Jetsons. 

I think with this technology we need to be careful not to become too reliant on it (such as not knowing how to read a paper map because we always have Google map), but we can use it to our advantage to be more accurate and reliable in our work. I’ve already looked at a few of the agricultural apps, which make me VERY excited, and I hope to create a list of them and their purposes soon. They may not be 100% realistic for widespread use at this point, but I do believe we have an excellent window of opportunity in this field.

The big question is, what will they come up with next? I’m excited to find out!

Christmas Time is Here

Only a few more hours until Christmas! It makes me smile to think back on past Christmases. I remember many a Christmas Eve trying to keep my eyes open as long as I could while Mom would be rushing around getting last minute details taken care of. This year, I’d rather not resist the pull of heavy eyelids, but will probably have to stay up to finish wrapping presents and to look for the gifts I bought my mom and sister a couple months ago. The plan was to hide them from my family, not from myself…

Anyway, as you enjoy your Christmas goose, ham, turkey, chicken, roast… whatever you eat for Christmas dinner, I hope you remember to thank the Lord for providin’, the farmer for raisin’, and your cook for cookin’. And of course, don’t forget the reason for the season!

Enjoy, and have a very Merry Christmas!

On Trusting, Waiting, and Preparing

Currently, my family is watching Facing the Giants. It's a good movie with a great message, I'd encourage you to watch it with your family if you haven't already. 

As the main character in the movie, Coach Taylor, is facing a difficult time and praying to God for guidance, a man tells him a story about two farmers during a drought. Both farmers prayed for rain, but only one went into his fields and prepared for the rain. Which farmer trusted the Lord would provide? The one who prepared for the rain. Just so, when we pray we should trust that God will provide in His time. That being said, we should also remember His time is not our time. He can see the whole puzzle while we can only see a piece. He knows what's best for us, even when we can't understand how that is.

Sometimes it is difficult to find the balance between being proactive and waiting on the Lord. This semester proved to be a test in this. I would consider myself to be a very career oriented person, primarily because I love to write and look forward to being able to use my abilities constructively, but I have to remember to keep everything in perspective. It is God who has given me the abilities and the desires, and it is God who has gotten me this far. It is also God that can completely change the course of my life. I have faith He will see me to the end, even if it’s not the one I am currently picturing, and spend much of my time preparing for that future.

Do you hope the Lord will provide or do you trust He will?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Senior Forum: A Freshman's Advice to Seniors

The Guidance Department at Trenton High School hosted their annual “college experience” forum today in one of North Central Missouri College’s newest buildings, Cross Hall. Every year at the end of first semester, the previous year’s high school graduates come to speak to the current seniors about college life and what to expect. This year I, along with several of my classmates, had the opportunity to come speak to the Senior Class of 2012.

This time last year I was on the other side of the equation. I was one in the sea of seniors anticipating the end of my last fall semester at Trenton High School. College was coming, but it was far in the future. There was time to worry about that later, for now I’d look forward to my last FFA contest season, banquet, and then graduation.

It wasn't too long after Christmas break that I realized the inevitable was approaching. Soon life as I knew it would end, and I would be introduced to a whole new world. With that realization came a flood of anxiety and stress, all while balancing a heavy load of classes and FFA responsibilities. I wish I could have comprehended then I what I know now. But I suppose that is all just part of the senior year experience. 

A sea of ugly sweaters blinded me today as I sat like a bug under a microscope. Being on the other side of the equation I could see how far I've come since this time last year. It was an eye-opening experience, lately I've only been able to see how much further I have yet to go.

With only an hour, not everything could possibly be said during our time together. Here are a few tips for high school seniors from the perspective of someone who remembers sitting in their seat not long ago.

• Don’t underestimate the power of extracurricular organizations and keep involved in them. Through involvement in organizations you have the ability to meet many students, many of whom you will be around in college and in your future career. I was amazed at how many people I already knew when I got to college! Many of my best friends I had met through FFA, lost contact with, and then reconnected with those first few weeks of school.
• Don’t slack off! Senioritis is so easy to get, and I’ll admit I caught it too. Keep on keeping on and you won’t regret it.
• Scholarships! Apply for as many as you can. Christmas break is the perfect time to do this. Use scholarship search engines, listen to the radio and look at the websites of organizations you are apart of to find opportunities for financial aid. Organize potential scholarships, fill out applications, count how many transcripts you’ll need and make a list of who you’ll need letters of recommendation from. It can be a bit overwhelming so be sure to stay organized.
• If at all possible, finalize your college plans and make an appointment to meet with your program chair. They can give you great advice on what to be doing this summer, and it’s nice to have a friendly face in the faculty once you get to school.
• Think about taking summer classes. You might be able to take care of a general requirement that would be much easier to do in a smaller class. Be careful to check to see if they will transfer, though!
• Plan a great last shebang with your family and friends for graduation. Be sure to take lots of pictures!
• Be prepared and proactive, but don’t stress out too much. Enjoy your senior year because you’ll never get it back.
• It’s ok to be nervous, it’d be unnatural if you weren’t. Even though it’s easier said than done, know everything will all work out. Because it will, one way or the other and for everything there is a reason.
• Most importantly, remember who you are, what you’re out to do, and keep the people important to you close.

Graduating high school is one of those important milestones in life, and entering college is another. With two significant events so close together, it is sure to be a rocky road. Even so, you will make it and you'll be stronger through it, so get your walking shoes on and prepare for the journey!

Home Sweet Home Part II

Today was my second homecoming. I’ve been baking and giving away pulla (a very tasty Finnish sweet bread) for a couple years now and couldn’t resist keeping up with the tradition. I made the trek back to the ag building to give the pulla away, and a few other goodies.

Upon my arrival, another past officer greeted me in the hallway. Michael was the chapter president the year before me, and I must say I looked up to him and Taylor, our vice-president at the time, a great deal. The pair of them were like FFA rock stars, and I wanted to be just like them. 

It was a pleasant surprise to see him, but I instantly knew he was up to something and I figured I’d eventually get roped into it. That was the story of my life my junior year, but I loved it then and I love helping out even now.

Before I could get involved in any big projects, I went in to see Mrs. Kreatz and delivered my presents to her and Mr. Wolf. It was good to see them. Sometimes email just doesn’t cut it, but I won’t complain. I love that with technology we have the ability to be far apart geographically, yet remain close.

Soon enough I discovered what Michael was up to. He and Taylor were replacing the old paper emblem that is used for every FFA parade float. In front of me was a beautiful, thick, wooden FFA emblem. Michael was engrossed in painting it, and graciously pointed me to the brushes and paint buckets.

It was good getting back to my second home, even if I was put back to work. I have so many good memories in that building. My FFA family- both the members and all of my advisors (there’s been five different ones in my four years of high school) have played a significant role in my life. I’m glad that even though I’ve graduated, I can still give back to the organization that has pushed me to where I am now. 

Home Sweet Home

There's no place like home, there's no place like home. That's what I was saying those last few days I was in Columbia. Unfortunately, I didn't have Dorothy's ruby red slippers to take me there. I've really enjoyed Columbia and the people I have the fortune to be around every day, but it's nice not to fall asleep to sirens and people yelling down the hall. I much prefer the train whistling in the night.

It was an adventure getting home, and I might not have if it weren't for a stranger's help and some jumper cables. Even as I made the trip singing Christmas carols and prayers for safety ("Jesus Take the Wheel" came into my head more than one time), I knew with every passing second I was that much closer to home.

With no classes to worry about until after I get back, I've been able to take time to relax and catch up on some of the things I've put on the back burner. I also now have some time to pick back up on my knitting, reading, writing, and cooking.

There are a lot of differences between the city of Columbia and rural Northern Missouri and some differences are bigger than others. I knew I was home when I experienced slow internet, bad cell phone coverage, and random power outages. Yep, it's good to be home!

Christmas Tree Time

With Christmas less than a week away, a piece of nature has invaded most of our homes, mine included. When I came home the tree was lit and full of our favorite ornaments, courtesy of my sister who has been in charge of Christmas decorating for the past few years. Christmas trees have decked the halls for centuries, and the industry is still going strong.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, it takes Christmas trees 7 years on average to grow to the typical height of 6-7 feet. The most common tree species to bring inside during the Christmas season are balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine and white pine.

There are over 350 million Christmas trees growing in the US on approximately 15,000 farms covering 350,000 acres. The top Christmas tree producing states are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington and the industry employs around 100,000 people.

The first written record of decorating Christmas trees comes from Latvia in 1510 and commercially selling Christmas trees began around 1850. The tradition has remained strong and today over 25-30 million real trees are sold each year. 

Maybe this Christmas you will choose to support a tree farmer, or maybe you have the fortune to be able to cut one in your own backyard. Then again, maybe you value the convenience of dragging the old artificial out from under the staircase. Whatever you choose, remember the gift of everlasting life sent to us on Christmas symbolized by the evergreen tree in your living room. 

Mind your P's and Q's

Have you ever heard the saying, "mind your p's and q's"? It's one of those things that mothers tell their children. Even though it seems completely unrelated, the general consensus is that it means mind your manners. Or say your p's (pleases's) and q's (thank you's). 


As I've been studying for my Ag Econ final for the past week or so, I've come up with a new theory on this old saying. Mind your p's (prices) and q's (quantities)!

Just another random thought from a college freshman experience diminishing returns after studying too long. 

Finally it's Finals!

Well, classes for the Fall 2011 semester were officially over after classes Thursday. Now all that's left to do is study for finals next week.

Ah, the dreaded finals week. On the bright side, I only have two. So that means the only responsibilities I have this next week are going to take a test at 12:30 on Tuesday and one at 12:30 on Thursday. On a not so bright note, I have a lot riding on those tests.

So I shall study, study, study, and hopefully make the grade. Then be home Thursday night for a whole month! Whatever shall I do with myself?

Scholarships, essays, cleaning, baking, visiting with friends back home, oh and working on my record book. I'm going to be sad when I put my final entry in that old blue book that I have had this love/hate relationship with the past four-and-a-half years.

This transitional first semester of college is almost over. And so is another step in my journey. And next semester marks the beginning of a new step!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Yesterday I experienced my very first snow on campus. The funny thing is, no one was really expecting it. It did, however, make its presence known.

We woke up Tuesday morning, tired of course after working on this FIG project we had to present later that evening, and the first thing out of Kathryn’s mouth was, “do you want to just watch it on tegrity?” That was tempting, but being the responsible student I am, I told her no. We needed to just get up and we'd (eventually) wake up.

So, off Kathryn goes to brush her teeth and she comes back saying that a girl down the hall told her it was snowing hard. I look out the window, and sure enough there is a furry of snow.

We dressed super warm and went off to Ag Econ clear on the far end of campus in Waters Auditorium careful not to slip, because it was indeed slick.

After a 15 minute walk (that usually takes 10) we arrived to a half-empty (or half-full, depending on how you like to look at your glass) class and sat down. And waited. And waited some more. At 8:10, a bunch of guys, plus our next door neighbor in her spiffy cow-hat, walked out. At 8:15 even more left. By 8:20, Kathryn, Julia, another girl and I decided Dauve probably wasn’t coming and left to have a good breakfast.

Mizzou dining halls have very good hot chocolate, by the way.

We heard reports from people who had trouble on the roads, buses were in ditches, cars couldn’t get up hills… It was a mess and I’m glad I didn’t have to go out in it.

It was a blessing in disguise because we were able to use the couple extra hours to work on our FIG Food Culture projects we had been working on. And I think the snow put me in a much more Christmas-y mood.

My favorite part of this whole ordeal, though, is that just a few weeks ago I was wearing a light jacket or no jacket at all. If you don't like Missouri weather today, just stick around for a while! 

Technology, the Future, and Opinions

Technology: it’s a big word that evokes big emotions. It’s exciting to see the newest version of the iPhone come out and see what it can do. If you haven’t checked it out, just google iPhone 4S or search for it at YouTube and you’ll see what I mean.

On a different note, certain technologies and developments used to produce food are often resisted. Fear of change or of what might result, disbelief of the advantages outweighing disadvantages, or other beliefs? Worthy of investigation, yes, but worthy of an emotional furry of “fact” throwing, no.

I know, this seems to be a soapbox of mine. I do respect the views of those who don’t see things the way I do. That is why I value the need for an increase in transparency and a better connection between the industry and urban consumers. I also value the need for improvement. Nothing’s perfect and everything could be improved is my motto. Let’s think outside the box and improve what we have.

Anyway, I’d just like to share a link to an editorial I wrote recently for my ag journalism class. It doesn’t cover everything, and there could probably be a whole series written on each of those paragraphs. But, on a lighter note, it shows what you can learn from the Beverly Hillbillies. Where have all the good TV shows gone?

Flash Back...

Over the past few weeks, I’ve become friends with a girl majoring in speech pathology. Today at lunch we were talking and my brain was stirred with a memory that I haven’t thought of in a while. I find Danielle’s major very cool, especially since speech pathology was my first career aspiration. Strangely enough, that original career goal has played a part in leading me to where I am now. Story time…

Once upon a time, there was an 8^th grade girl who needed to choose a career path for a school project. The health profession appealed to her because 1) it was based on scientific fact and 2) it used that science background to help people. After searching career websites, she finally decided on speech pathology. She thought being a speech teacher would be just right for her.

This girl grew up on a farm, but took for granted that lifestyle. She did, however, love it and joined her local FFA chapter. As a sophomore, she had the opportunity to apply for the Missouri Agribusiness Academy. Somehow, she made it through the application process and went on to interview. When the interviewers asked what her career goals were, she got nervous because she knew her career plans weren’t within agriculture. She explained that she hoped to go into speech pathology. She wanted to make a difference in the lives of young children and help them to overcome their speech impediments. The interviewers took this answer better than she expected, and after that she relaxed.

When it came time for the interviewers to ask follow up questions, one of the interviewers spoke up. He explained that he had a speech problem when he was younger, but that he was now a successful radio spokesman. He asked more about why she wanted to be a speech teacher, and she explained about her sister’s speech problem and her family friend with Parkinson’s Disease who was working with speech pathologists to come up with a way to improve her communication. This was when the girl realized that though she may not be pursuing a career in agriculture, she could still affect the agricultural industry. A few weeks later, she found out she had been selected to be a part of the Missouri Agribusiness Academy.

Attending MAbA, she met many people her age who were very active in agriculture, as well as industry leaders who encouraged them to get more involved. Her eyes were opened to the fact that agriculture was changing. Her eyes were opened to organizations that were threatening the life she had always known, and to agricultural practices she had no experience with. By the end of the week, her career goals had not been changed but they had been challenged. She realized that she wanted to be part of this industry, she wanted to help ensure that the life she had grown up with would be there forever.

When she came home, she decided to learn more. The next year, she served as an FFA officer and finally found her niche. The next spring, her FFA advisor encouraged her to enter the Larry Harper Essay Contest. Standing on stage at State FFA Convention, it all became a little clearer. Afterwards waiting in line backstage, she talked to her advisors. They encouraged her to develop an Agricultural Communications SAE Program, which she did. It began as exploration mostly, then became what she knew she was meant to do.

Today that girl is sitting at a desk in Schurz Hall at the University of Missouri. One of her friends from MAbA is sitting next to her working on chemistry homework. Two others are in the room next door, and yet another two are just down the hall. All are getting ready to take the next step in the agricultural industry.

It’s amazing where life will take you. 

Proposed Revisions to Child Labor Laws

The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed revisions to child labor laws regarding agricultural and certain non-agricultural jobs. The revisions would increase regulations on the work teenagers could do. The following are a few of the regulations that would be set forth for farmworkers under 16:

•       Prohibits participation in the cultivation, harvesting and curing of tobacco.
•       Prohibits use of electronic devices, including communication, devices while operating power-driven equipment
•      Prohibits operation of power-driven equipment, with the exception of certain implements and tractors equipped with rollover protection and seat belts under specified conditions
•       Prohibits working with intact, male livestock older than 6 months; a sow with suckling pigs; or cow with a newborn calf
•       Prohibits participation in animal husbandry practices
•       Prohibits working at an elevation of higher than 6 feet.

The revisions will also prohibit employment in country grain elevators, grain bins, silos, feed lots, stockyards, livestock exchanges, and livestock auctions to those under 18.

These regulations only apply to farmworkers under age 16 who are being paid for their work. Underage farmworkers whose parents own the farm they are working on are excluded from these regulations.

A complete list of proposed changes can be found on the US Department of Labor’s website.

Let the department know what you think of this proposal by submitting your comments at www.regulations.gov.  Search 1235-AA06. Submission closes Thursday, December 1.

Count Your Blessings

As I'm sitting here at my grandpa's house, I realize I have much to be thankful for. For one, it is the Friday after Thanksgiving and I am (for the first time since I was very little) NOT running around stores trying to grab the last highly sought after electronic or dish set for an honestly not-so-low, just super-hyped-up, price. I love deals, and I have loved the bonding time with my cousins, but for some reason being a "poor college student" this year has dampened my Black Friday spirt.

Secondly, I am thankful for such a great FFA family, headed by my advisors, Mrs. Kreatz and Mr. Wolf. Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to give presentations all day in the Ag Building at my high school. I have learned so much, and while my initial ideas and beliefs haven't changed, my eyes have been opened to new ideas and beliefs. I much more aware (even though I know I have much further to go) of different perspectives in agriculture, and I have a great respect for all perspectives. To share that with my friends back home was a great experience. I see so much potential in the faces of those still sitting in the seats I did just a year ago, and I'm thankful for that. I'm especially thankful for Mrs. Kreatz and Mr. Wolf who can take and mold that potential, just like they did, and are still doing, for me.

Thirdly, I'm thankful for all people of agriculture- from the big producers like Premium Standard Farms who produce pork to feed countless, employs countless, and is an essential component of the economy of Northern Missouri, to the medium sized producers who may raise both grain and livestock, to the small producer who may raise specifically for a niche market. I am also thankful for leaders in agriculture who are helping make it so for future generations.

Fourthly, I'm thankful for all the experiences I've had so far. I'm thankful for the people I've met, the stories I've heard, and the innovations I've heard about. I'm thankful for the friends I've gained at college and for the professors who are passionate about what they teach and look to encourage their students on their paths.

Fifthly, I'm thankful for my family who has been behind me from the very beginning. Without their support, I may not have had the guts to get to where I am now nor to continue on towards an uncertain future. I'm thankful for their encouragement, advice, and listening ears.

And finally, I'm thankful for my Savior and for the character of God. I'm thankful for having the assurance that everything will turn out, because He's got it under control. He is good, and I'm excited to see what He has for all of us!

From Struggles to Success

Last Friday evening, one of the science and agricultural journalism professors invited a bunch of students to watch “Temple Grandin,” an HBO film based on the true story of Temple Grandin.

I had heard of what Temple Grandin has done for the livestock industry. In my high school food science class we watched a meat processing video and saw her system of leading cattle into the plant through a circular system. We talked about why the curve was so important- to calm the cattle and keep their stress levels down. I had seen her work in place, but I had never really understood her story.

Watching this woman’s story- from her beginnings as a child with only the support of her family to a woman whose ideas are sought after by leaders in livestock, really made me think.

Temple Grandin, born in Boston in 1947, was diagnosed with autism, a disorder that affects social and communication skills, at an early age. The doctors recommended institutionalization, but her mother insisted on working with her. With the help of her family, Grandin has been able to deal with the obstacles being autistic has set before her. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree with honors from Franklin Pierce College, masters from Arizona State University, and a doctorate from the University of Illinois.

Beyond just the pure inspiration of being persistent enough to go through more schooling than I care to, Grandin’s ability to not only deal with her disorder but to use it to her advantage speaks volumes about her character.

Grandin’s autism makes understanding other people difficult, but it has also made her understand animals better. Her autism allows her a better understanding of flight patterns and the different sights and sounds that might make livestock uncomfortable. Through this understanding she has been able to redesign handling facilities and improve animal welfare. Her systems are used in over half of all cattle processing operations and have been applied to other livestock operations.

Grandin is currently an associate professor of animal science at Colorado State University, the author of several books and research papers, and continues to work with the livestock industry to design safe and efficient processing operations.

No matter your situation, you are important and there is a reason for you being where you are. If there’s something you think is holding you back, don’t get bogged down by it. I believe that for everything there is a reason. Find that reason and turn your struggle into a success! 

My World View

I’ve had a request (which by the way, if you ever want to hear about something specific let me know and I’ll get on that) to explain more about my worldview. Maybe if anyone cares to, they can share their worldview down below in the comment section. I’d love to hear your responses!

First off, I wanted to see what the actual definition of a worldview was. My dear friend, dictionary.com, pointed me in the right direction. The term, “worldview,” came from the German word, “weltanschauung,” (pronounced “velt-ahn-shou-oo’ng”) meaning “a comprehensive conception or image of the universe and of humanity’s relation to it.” Basically, it’s your philosophy on life.

I’m sure there are other ways to break down your worldview, but I’ll do it like we did at the Leaders Conference. We talked about our values, passions, and assets.

Values: First and foremost I value my faith in Jesus Christ and most of my values roll into that. I value what the Bible has to say about life and strive to live my life according to God’s will. I value my family and other relationships, and I value people just learning about what they are passionate about. I value honesty, courtesy, loyalty, respect, and loving others. I value integrity- standing up for what you believe in and not getting wishy-washy even when you might stand to gain from deviating from that. I also value the past, my heritage, and the rural, agricultural lifestyle I’ve grown up in. I value simplicity and knowing that everything is going to work out because God is in control. Finally, I value hard work, dedication, and persistence. My values are the very core of what makes me who I am, and they play a role in shaping how I deal with my passions and assets.

Passions: I am passionate about the rural and agricultural lifestyle I’ve grown up in and helping keep that lifestyle alive for future generations. It really boils down to my love and respect for the people of agriculture, and I am passionate about telling their stories in a way that presents the truth of agriculture- what’s changing and why it’s changing. I am passionate about bridging the gap between producers and consumers and sharing with consumers the people behind the food that goes on their plate, as well as the importance of changing technology in agriculture.

Assets: I love to write, and so I feel as if using my writing abilities to communicate about my passion, agriculture, is a perfect fit. I told you my values fit into everything, and yes my values fit in here as well. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do with my life, and I can’t ignore that. As you who are reading this are well aware, I’m not the greatest writer in the world yet. One of my biggest assets I believe will be my education at the University of Missouri. I take classes in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources and the School of Journalism. This way I get both a strong background in agriculture as well as a strong journalistic skill set.

Someday I would love to be able to travel to farms around the country and tell their stories, though how realistic this is I’m not sure (that’s another thing I value- being realistic!). I am a firm believer that if we, the people of agriculture, step up and raise our voices to tell the truth about what it takes to produce food and why we do it the way it's done, we can succeed in bridging that gap between producers and consumers. Furthermore, I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest if we play the offensive rather than the defensive. Consumers have legitimate questions and concerns, and producers have legitimate answers, but also concerns about being able to ensure their livelihoods. I’m not sure how it’s going to get done, and maybe what I picture in my mind right now won’t. For now, I know this is where God wants me and I’ll leave Him to make the game plan because I’m positive He can do a better job than I ever could! 

Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference

It’s Wednesday and I think I have finally caught up on my sleep from this weekend. I’ll not complain, however, because I had an excellent experience at the Agriculture Future of America Leaders Conference.

Never heard of AFA? I hadn’t either, but I don’t think it was a coincidence that I happened upon their website while searching for scholarships last winter. I found the scholarship over Christmas break and hurriedly applied. I had technical difficulties submitting it and even had to call the organization for help, but I felt like I needed to apply and refused to give up. One day in the spring I found out I would be interviewed over the phone for the scholarship. It was nerve-wracking waiting until after graduation to finally interview, and then waiting even longer to find that I had been chosen, but it was well worth the wait.

The best thing about the conference is that it is a ‘leaders’ conference, not a leadership conference. In high school most of the conferences I attended focused on developing leadership skills. That’s a very important thing to do, but what do you do once you have those skills? How do you actually become a leader? What would established leaders say to those of us who are just starting out? How do I make this practical? These are the questions that I've found myself asking, and the questions the AFA Leaders Conference set forth to answer.

Over 500 college students from around the country met at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City November 3^rd through the 6^th. They had been selected through either a scholarship process like I had, or for university or industry sponsorship. Students were divided into three different tracks based on age. Track One focused on developing our professional selves, Track Two focused on communicating about agriculture, and Track Three focused on taking the big step from college life into the real world. 

I loved our theme, "My Piece. My Place. Our Future." If you look at the agricultural industry as a puzzle, you will notice that the people involved are very different. We all have different skills, abilities, and passions. It’s when we work together that we create a united front and a beautiful picture of the future. How true! During our time at the conference, we each dug into ourselves to better understand what piece of the puzzle we each were and met people with the same sort of vision but a different piece. I met a girl from China who was interested in bioengineering, students that excelled in economics and business, those who aspired to reach students through agricultural education, and those who wanted to go back to the farm. Whether your passion is science, mathematics, communications, or mechanics, just to name a few, there is a place for you in the agricultural industry. 

Here’s another funny part of the story of my adventure getting to AFA. When I applied, I had no clue about what this organization was. When I got to college, I realized that there were several of my friends going. It was great getting to know my friends and acquaintances better. I had known we all had different interests within agriculture, but getting to discuss our specific career plans and dreams was great. 

Beyond establishing and strengthening relationships, the conference gave us the opportunity to listen to leaders who had valuable advice. I could write a book about the specific details that I learned, so instead I’ll condense it down to a list:

• Don’t waste the summer after your freshman year. Take an internship, paid or unpaid, and get some sort of experience. It shows initiative down the road.
• Ask good questions- to recruiters, interviewers, employers…
• Don’t seek the quick fix to your problems, look for the next right answer. Think outside the box.
• You can never dream big enough, but you need goals and persistence to achieve those dreams. Dreams lead to vision, vision leads to goals, and goals lead to action.
• Know who you are and what you believe, and stick to it.

Here's an experience I won't soon forget. Sunday morning before we adjourned, three students from Track 1 had the opportunity to be a part of a forum about the three aspects of worldview: values, passion, and assets. This session was led by Justin Knopf of Knopf Farms in Kansas. When it came time to select students to discuss their worldviews, Mr. Knopf asked for a volunteer from Mizzou (where his wife is from). When no one else came forward, what could I do but volunteer? I went up front, nervous of course, and sat while Mr. Knopf called for someone from Kansas State (where he is from) and then another from any other school. I'm a quiet person and don't go after opportunities to speak in front others, however, I feel like this was a good chance for me to improve my speaking skills. The topic was all about what I believe in and why I want to be a communicator, and so it was easy enough to do that. I feel like self-evaluation is an essential part of being a leader, and so I hope that taking the risk to speak about myself will encourage others to evaluate their own selves.  

We’re continuously reminded that as agriculture changes, agriculturalists must stand up and raise their voices about what’s changing and why it’s changing, or someone else will. This weekend was a great stop along my journey. It reminded me of how important it is to remember who I am and what I’m out to do.