Blue & Gold Pride

I was reminded (not that I needed it) this morning how much I love FFA!

The Blue & Gold Pride came flooding back. I was asked by a FFA member to attend the community breakfast sponsored by the local FFA chapter. It was a great way to start my morning; drinking my coffee from a FFA cup, talking to students about how I can relate to those 5am mornings getting up to cook breakfast during National FFA Week, and the plans for the rest of the week's celebrations. 

I couldn't resist wearing my Blue & Gold this morning and kinda want to all week!

So, if your local FFA chapter is having events this week, I suggest you go out and support The Future of Agriculture!

What Does the Farmer Say?

I am not sure how many of you have seen, "What Does the Fox Say?" I first saw it over at Crystal Cattle. Honesty, it was kinda annoying, yet I laughed. I found a much better version.

What Does the FARMER Say? As I watched it, I kept saying over and over, "Oh thats so true!"  My favorite part might be the, "your arms are tan, your legs are white" or "Wave, Wave, Wave,"

Do you have a favorite part?

Watch Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyMv4kkSCvk&feature=youtu.be

"THE" South Dakota Snow Storm

I am sure that many of you have seen the heartbreaking pictures of the snow storm that hit South Dakota last week. They keep rolling in on my Facebook newsfeed. Part of my Dad's ranch is in SD (not affected) so this makes me sit up and pay attention. Not only is this devastating to ranchers for the obvious reason but to make matters worse we are at a time when cattle prices are higher than they have been in years. The effects of this storm will last more than a few days, or months...it will be years to fully recover this great loss. It is estimated that the loss could tall up to 275,000 head, with ranches loosing 5-20% of their herd.  So keep those farmers and ranchers whose lifestyle and living rely on agriculture in your prayers.

Just to add more to the story, due to the government shut down there is zero aid for these farmers and ranchers. The national media is barely talking about this, so to get the issue the attention and help it needs we need to share the story.

I have compiled a list of some, only SOME of the articles/blogs/etc that have been published about "THE" storm.It encouraging to look over the posts and see how many people, businesses and organizations are spreading the word and helping with recovery.

The South Dakota Cowgirl

Tri-State Livestock News

MT Stockgrowers Blog

Opened Door

NBC News

Ranch Radio KBHB

Big Balls in Cowtown

Rapid City Journal

Just a Ranch Wife

The Bismark Tribune

KOTA News

MSN.com 

Dawn Winks:Dewdrops

KOTATV.com

Farmer Bloggers

BEEF Magazine

Pretty Work

Argus Leader

Tales of a Kansas Farm Mom

Photo Contest

Hey all, I'm asking for a little personal favor.........
Kansas Department of Agriculture is having a photo contest. The winning photos will be used in brochures, promo items- promoting agriculture accross the US and the world, websites, posters, etc

The voting is taking place on Facebook so visit KDA's Facebook page and like these photos. (some of you might recognize them from blog posts)

Burger King.....No Longer King (in my books)

Yep, Burger King too has fallen to the pressures of being more, "ethical/healthy" or whatever they choose to call it.

Burger King vows cage-free chicken and pork
Decision by the US No. 3 burger chain raises the bar for its rivals

I had heard the news last week and I started thinking about what we have talked about in my last grad level class, Communicating Ethical Issues in Agriculture.
Do people really know what they are doing and how it will effect others when they make these decisions?!

I was driving home the other day listening to K-LOVE radio and the dj was talking about the new plans for Burger King. He joked saying: who was going to be on egg gathering duty, how will they find the eggs, where will the chickens live, etc. He then asked if anyone listening could help him understand, "this cage free deal" ( I decided that was going to be me, I am emailing this post to him as soon as I finish it)
Interesting enough the dj's grandparents had a farm and I believe he grew up on one as well. I started getting upset about BKs new vow and that someone who grew up in an farm family had a lack of knowledge of what was going on. People assume that cage-free  or free range means that that the chicken is roaming free all the time NOT SO: According to USDA, free range means " Producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside."  (Allowed access can mean that the chicken or pig was outside for 15 min.) Labeling is not as straight-forward and honest sounding as you might think or hope for. Even those against animal agriculture are not clear about proper labeling and regulations for cage-free. As of today there is not a strict and concise labeling for eggs in the United States.

We need to educate others (even if you think they grew up on a farm) about what certain terms in agriculture mean AND how these harmless looking steps can lead to something much worse. A fellow K-State grad blogged about this here.  Check out another great blog post here. We as producers and Ag Advocates need to have our voice heard- don't allow PETA & HSUS be the only voice that consumers are hearing!

American Agri-Women

Here I go, not following my blogging schedule/topic, but I think this is important to share. I am am currenty in Nebraska City, Nebraska at the American Agri-Women Mid-Year conference. We are steaming live. If you are interested in hearing some great speakers and topics without leaving the house this is for you.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/american-agri-women

At this very moment (1:55pm) I am listening to Dr.Gary Sides. Amazing! He is presenting so much useful & interesting facts. Let me share one:
1 birth control pill contains as much estrogen as 125,000lbs of beef from an implanted steer.(so why are we worried about eating beef that have been implanted)

Mistake?!

What Not to Wear...The North Face

I know its been awhile since I've had a Fashion Friday, nothing really jumped out at me until this past weekend. CP and I headed to Oklahoma for the Express Bull Sale. It was cool and windy and he went to put his North Face jacket on and mentioned to me that he heard North Face donated to PETA, HSUS or something like that. Was it true, he asked. I wasn't really sure, but as we sat through the auction I looked around and saw quite a few NF jackets. I decided to do some research on this when I got home.

I did a little searching and ran onto this article in the BEEF Magazine, stating the The North Face supports HSUS!

Did those beef producers know that they were wearing a jacket and supporting a company that goes against their livelihood?

 Now what to do with CP's jacket, rip out the embroidery? Cover it with a Eat Beef patch?

National Agriculture Day

You, I and 142 other people ate today because of one American farmer. We officially recognize our farmers and all they do to make our lives better on March 8, National Ag Day. Farmers not only produce food, fiber and fuel, they contribute to a strong economy. In fact, the total impact of agriculture and agribusinesses account for 20 percent of the state’s economy, according to Kansas Inc.

The role of farmers will become even more critical with the exploding world population. We reached 7 billion people in 2011. The United Nations forecasts that world population will reach 9 billion by 2050 – and that farmers will have to produce 70 percent more food than they do today.

Be part of  agriculture, if even just for one day. Take a drive in the country with your family, for instance. There’s no prettier green than winter wheat fields waking from winter dormancy. And, wave if you see a farmer. I guarantee they’ll wave back.

Happy Ag Day.

Women In Blue Jeans-Part 1

*I don't like long posts so I am going to break this into multiple posts.
I just returned from one of the most amazing conventions I've been to....Women In Blue Jeans.
I traveled the 7 hours to Mitchell, South Dakota and it was well worth it. I honestly don't think I can truly convey in words how much I enjoyed myself.

Why is this better than any other convention related to agriculture you might ask, I'm here to tell you. It started over a year ago when I was wanting to plan and host a conference for women who were not only involved with agriculture but wanted to learn more about the industry. A conference to fit every woman's needs. That might be estate planning, new farm regulations, or caring for the family and its pets. This conference wasn't solely directed to women who work everyday in an agriculture industry, it was for EVERY woman!

I somehow heard about Women In Blue Jeans and contacted the number listed on their website. The lady(Carol) was so helpful and gave me tons of ideas and recommendations for planning my own conference. When we got off the phone, she emailed me even more info. I realized if I was going to host a similar event I needed to go to the conference that I am modeling it after. Last minute I contacted a few friends to make the trip with me, no luck. Finally, my Grandpa said he would go for a roadtrip. Grandma said she would take care of the small chores and a neighbor would take care of the livestock.  Off we went..................

America's Heartland

The other day I gave a little plug for my uncle's photography and a magazine. Well, today I'm being self-centered. Check out the TV show, America's Heartland on RFD-TV this morning at 9am central and see a glimpse of my presentation I did back in October for the group of women from McPherson County. Remember, that was when we coined the term, "I feed the world, What's your superpower!"

The show features two amazing advocates for agriculture, Katie &  Kim who actually married cousins.

 Check out Kim's blog for more details at Alive & Well in Kansas.
 Katie's blog is New To The Farm.

Happy New Year!

I hope the best for each and everyone of you in the coming year. May you be blessed beyond measure.

I have resolutions for 2012, some of which include stepping up my advocacy for agriculture and connecting more with friends. As we "grow up" and become busier it seems we sometime lose that connection we had with people we really admire and cherish.

So, I'm going to start right now!

Check out this post that gives me great hope for 2012-"More Young People In Ag" It is posted over at a friend's blog. She is a great gal and I sure wish we saw more of each other.

Use the "correct" stamp for mailing.....

I want to thank my friend over at Ag On The Forefront for this post. Please go check out her blog about the new postage stamps coming out.

As Kelsey mentioned, the new stamps will have famous vegetarians faces on them. Why did PETA beat us Ag Advocates to the punch. I think it is important that we in the Ag Industry are willing to stand up and stand out to promote agriculture. Other organizations and people are doing the same against us.

Think about what stamp you are using next time you go to the post office.