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.