Why I Do What I Do

On my way to Farm Technology Days in July I found myself in a interesting spot. As I pulled up to a stoplight I looked to my right and just had to smirk. There sat a farmer, probably in his mid-fifties in a beat up Chevy truck. He reminded me of my dad, grubby hat, holes in his old t-shirt and dirt on his cheek. He was pulling a trailer full of what looked like Holstein heifers. Still having a red light in front of me I looked to my left I saw a family. The couple in the front was probably in their late twenties and in the back was a car seat with a baby sleeping. The car looked brand-new and expensive. The women was wearing a dress and the man was in a suit. As the light turned green I thought while I drove ahead, I have to be the middleman to these two people. It was like a calling... (kind of scary I know.)

I have been an "Ag"vocate my entire life. Plain and simple- I just want people to know where their food comes from. I want people to not hate farmers, to respect the work they do and understand how much hard work goes into producing food for the world. It's easy to get beaten down in the public relations ag world. With talk of GMOs, animal cruelty, HSUS and disease how do you spread the truth about agriculture and show people the positive light that they usually refuse to see? It's not an easy task, let me tell you.

Every job has its battles and ag PR has it's fair share and more, but to really succeed in a job like mine you have to enjoy what you do and I do.