How deep do your roots run?

So I was sitting in my Plant and Soils class today and we were kind of discussing roots... or at least I think, i may have also been studying for another test. While I was paused from consuming my breeding notes I started to daydream about roots and more than just the tubers that come from plants (see I have learned a thing or two from Plant and Soils). I began to think how everyone has different roots and in some way or another I bet everyone has some sort of root in agriculture whether you grew up on a farm or you are generations removed. I could bet that in some way agriculture has played a part in who we each are today.

I was fortunate enough to grow up on a farm. I started helping my parents feed, breed,and treat cattle probably before I could talk. I was always daddy's best sweeper when it came to cleaning up after chore time (I had an uncanny knack for dumping grain, as you can see) or when it was time to put up straw or hay. I still remember helping my mother on a farm call where she had to fixed a displaced abdomen in a dairy cow. While mom had a cow on her back and feet in the air I was playing hopscotch in the feed bunk. Turns out I was clumsy then too..... I fell on a rusty nail which conveniently happened to slide under my knee cap. I'll never forget my first pig peeing on me at the catch-a-pig show and my first Pemberville steer. I so wish I could go back to those days playing daddy's little helper and mom's clumsy assistant,but now as a college student I realize that those were the experiences that not only were highlights of my childhood but also major times were I absorbed what agriculture truly was. My roots run deep and recently when I was asked why I started pursuing a career in agriculture, I realized it was not just because of my involvement in 4-H and FFA. Agriculture is ingrained into my DNA my great great grandparents relied on agriculture as a staple to live as did many of our ancestors. Although I found my interests lied in producing a healthy, palatable food product, I think I would still be able to credit agriculture in some way to the person I am today. I am so thankful that 4-H, FFA, Livestock Judging, NJSA, and of coarse my parents have instilled wholesome values, knowledge, and experience that have not only helped me pursue my goals in ag but have also made me the loud, funny, and caring person I am today. I am thankful that agriculture brought my great great grand parents to a place where agriculture was such a staple, and I am thankful for them raising my grandparents and parents with the morals, values, and willingness to work hard that they learned on the farm, because ultimately I got some of it too. So my challenge to you is to think about how agriculture has made an impact on your life in any way shape of form?

Keep Pork on Your Fork!

More than I had expected.....California

So I just recently spent my spring break in California's central valley due to my involvement in NJSA. Being on the Jr Board of Directors we attend numerous shows each year and I choose to attend the NJSA Western Regional in Turlock California. The show started the week before my spring break but luckly my professors allowed me to miss a few classes. When my roommate Rebecca Bailey and I finally got to Turlock (Rebecca's hometown) we immediately went into show mode planing and preparing for the days ahead. The show was a blast and I even got to see some great friends like my fellow board director, staff with the NJSA and NSR, Dan Shike (our judge), and some fellow Ohian's Jim McCoy(judge for the CPPA show) and Steve Mapes (photographer). It was a great gathering of new and old friends and I even got to see some great hogs! Something I had not gotten to experience at an NJSA event was the Barnyard Olympics. Now I was expecting just a few teams of kids to get together and participate, but I was wrong. In California kids are eager to participate (even the older teens) we had around 15 teams of kids participate and even make their own costumes! Above our new Director of Jr. Activities, Cally Hass, holds up our potato golf clubs. We had many games for the event and I dont think I have ever laughed so hard! I was also new to the auction and dinner that was held that night where us NJSA girls and Bryn Poliska set out to buy Carmelitas, the most delicious and indescribable treat know to man, and despite having a bid battle between Rebecca's parents we got em! (unfortunately they are now all gone and we are having withdrawals) After the show was over Rebecca and I were off to stay with her parents in Turlock but before we said goodbye to our friends John and June Bailey took us to one of their almond orchards and taught us about almond production.....way cool!

Now I had always known that California was the largest ag state in the country but for some reason I didn't expect what I got to see. Not only did I see nut orchards everywhere but I got to experience Pork Power Farms (The Bailey's commercial operation), help sell pigs to 4-her's at Golden State Genetics (The Bailey's Showpig operation), I got to see happy cows, Hilmar Cheese, bees, and even some grape fields! Everywhere I looked there was agriculture and most everyone was diversified in some way or another. I loved it so much I could honestly see myself living in the central valley one day!

Once our spring break technically started John and June, Robin and Paul (Rebecca's sister and brother in law), myself and Rebecca headed to San Francisco. I think I was a little unprepared for the big city so they decided to break it in easy on me. We went to the beach (my first time to the ocean!) where I got a little wet, I was unprepared for the waves. I got to see my first 100 jellyfish, I collected some shells, a sand dollar, and my shoes after leaving then about 100yards down the beach. I loved the beach and it could have made the trip amazing as it was but we had much more to see. In the next few day we visited Lombard Street (the curviest road in the US), I rode a street car, I got yelled at by a crazy San Francisco street preacher, went to Chinatown, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge! However one of my favorite things was visiting ATT Park with the Baileys who are die hard Giants fans. We got to go on the field, in the locker room, the dugout, and even in the private suites. It was so fun for me because it was a new experience for all of us and I finally feel like a hardcore Giants fan!

I loved my time in California and I am so blessed to have met Rebecca and her family through the NJSA and have been able to not only become roommates but also great friends. Agriculture has brought many people together, either through, work, travel, or food. I am thankful for the fact that we live in a country where there are so many agriculture enthusiasts, and I hope that those people continue to spread their passion for agriculture, by inviting people to their homes across the country (like Rebecca did!), or by simply having a conversation about agriculture on a plane or bus. There are many opportunities to spread your message.... so remember to Keep Pork on Your Fork and pass the plate of knowledge and experiences.

2011 National Youth Leadership Conference

Ok so its my favorite NJSA event of the WHOLE year! The National Youth Leadership Conference!!!! This year it is being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota and we will be having....get ready for it..... Wes Jameson speak! Ah I am so very excited not just for Wes but also because we will be taking a tour of Hormel on friday (so get there the on the night of the 28th flyers) we start bright and early with registration from 7:30am -9am and then get going to Hormel! additionally we are going to the Spam Museum AND the MALL OF AMERICA can you say shopping?!( just in the first day!) Saturday we have a great list of speakers, social media training, and we get to spend the day at The University of Minnesota! then sunday we kick off the morning with an inspirational service from my favorite Ray Perryman and then get to listen to Jody Sterle speak about using youtube to tell your story! If you havent had your Youth PQA plus training yet, Bryn Poliska will be here to hang out after the conference to certify you! Oh I am sooo excited! At my first leadership conference I met one of my some of my now best friends and board members and even a roomate now (Rebecca Bailey, President for the NJSA). I hope who ever reads this blog will encourage their parents to let them attend, or invite their friends!

For the entry form (it will not be in the Seedstock) please visit http://bitty.in/11d

Stay classy Minnesota, I'll be there soon with Pork(this case maybe Spam) on my Fork!