Public Perception

Whether you are exhibiting your prize Angus heifer or interviewing for your State 4-H Round Up presentation, you get asked the same question… “what do you feel is impacting agriculture the most today?” My answer is always, public perception. That answer is the reason I am pursuing an animal science degree with a minor in journalism and electronic media. I like to start with some general facts, 98% of farms are family owned/operated and have been for generations The average American is 3 generations removed from the farm and less than 1% has a farming background. Hmmm… now how am I supposed to tell the story of farming to someone who has no idea what a farm looks like or even smells like! (Yes, farms have a smell just as cities have a smell). As farmers and food producers we are challenged every day to feed a growing world. It is estimated that by 2050 the world’s population is going to double, that is 9 BILLION people!  That’s adding a city the size of Philadelphia WEEKLY… Yeah, let that stew a minute.  Now, most people would say that’s 36 years from now, no problem! Well, as farmers we look at it “that’s only 36 growing seasons and 36 calving seasons. That’s not including weather conditions, a non-productive calving season, disease, loss of crop, fire, etc.  Farmers are given the best job in the world and we know it. We take pride in knowing when you walk to your refrigerator and pour a big glass of milk, it’s safe, healthy and delicious. As your family gathers around freshly grilled, juicy cheeseburgers and watermelon on the 4^th of July, remember that food was raised, harvested and brought to you with your well-being and celebration in mind. So please, thank a farmer, thank the veterinarians, the feed mill operators, the livestock truck drivers that work 24/7. It takes every one of us, consumer and producer, working together to bring safe and wholesome meals to the table 3 times a day.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord…”

Colossians 3:23

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

1 Corinthians 4:2

Finding the Creator

With this blog I hope to show you the glories of working for the Creator in His creation. Farmers are given the greatest job in the world. We are the caretakers, the providers, and the stewards of this earthly paradise. We as farmers are challenged to not only take care of our animals but the land, the environment and most importantly feeding the world.  

I recently attended Challenge Youth Conference in Gatlinburg there was 12,000 young Christians all gathered together to sing, pray, and truly glorify our Lord. It was so refreshing to see so many young people truly fall in love with our Savior. The theme was The Lord Our God. Many of the speakers referenced that we need to have a way, a place or a time where we feel God Almighty the most. So we can have a thriving relationship with Him. Growing up on a farm I had the opportunity to watch His creation and creatures in a unique way. For me, there is no better place in the world than watching a new calf walk for the first time, watching the sunrise over a freshly cut hay field or the smell of a early summer morning. We all need a place where we can see the scriptures come alive; we need to strive to return to this place of comfort and understanding. One of my favorite scriptures is Malachi 4:2 "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall." This is a scripture I can truly see come alive every spring, the calves start jumping and dancing all around. They are full of excitement and some older farmers say, “well they sure are feeling their cheerios.” I want to leap out full of excitement to serve our savior in a new way, like the calves everything spring!

I challenge you to find a place where you can truly find our Lord and leap out with great excitement into His kingdom.