Celebrating National Ag Day with a Farm Kid Q&A

National Ag Day is a time to recognize and celebrate the vast world of agriculture. As a 5th generation farm family, we live and breathe agriculture every day, and I thought it would be fun to get my kids’ perspectives on what farm life means to them. So, I sat down and asked them questions about growing up on the farm. Their answers were simple, honest and a reminder of why we love this way of life.

My kids helping this past fall during harvest
K (13), R (8), L (9) and A (11)

Sustainable Farming Supporting Communities

Have you ever heard the phrase "it takes a village to to raise a child"? Well, when it comes to farming, it "takes a village" to support and create a sustainable community.

The view of my local community, Latimer, Iowa, from my front yard

What it Means to Grow Up on the Farm: An Interview with my Kids

Raising our kids on the farm is one of my favorite parts of our livelihood.  I am proud to be raising the 6th generation of farmers in my family.  My husband and I work hard everyday so our farm is sustainable for our children to continue on our family's farming legacy.  In honor of National Ag Day, I thought it'd be fun to interview the next generation (aka our kids), about what it means to grow up on the farm.  Enjoy!

The Gamble of Farming

Yesterday on my Facebook Page I shared a post from Dairy farmer, Dairy Carrie.  She wrote a wonderfully written post about the hard times facing the Dairy industry right now.  I had several followers comment on the post about how they had no idea, and to one I responded that "farming can be a gamble".

Why is farming such a gamble?

We work hard to make our farm is sustainable by investing in conservation and technology to ensure we are using the best practices.  But even if we are doing everything right, we are still at the mercy of things we can't control like the weather and the markets.  We try to harness those risks through investing in certain seed traits for our crops, by spraying during times of insect and disease pressure, and doing different market strategies to hopefully create a safety net.

But sometimes, like right now, no matter how you play your hand the cards aren't going to win you money and you're just hoping you leave the table (or each year) at a break-even.  Not too long ago we had strong commodity prices and were on a hot streak.  On our farm we used that time to build up assets, pay off long-term debts and build a buffer to help us ride out the low times till the odds were more in our favor.

Some farmers are starting to reach their limit of being able to stay at the table and unfortunately are going bust.  It is so sad to see all the hard-work and dedication of these individuals through the years, if not decades, and even generations have put forth to stay in the game that they love.  This is one reason why I've had such a high interest in mental health in the farming community lately.  In fact, I read the other day with things so hard in the dairy industry right now, that some dairy cooperatives were sending suicide hotline information out with their bills.

So why would you farm?

It may sound silly, but my husband and I farm because we love it.  We love that everyday is "bring your child to work" day and that our four children are learning life skills of hard work, dedication, respect and empathy.  I love that I am carrying on my family's tradition of farming as a 5th generation farmer.  I love that our children get to see multi-generations working together daily.  I love the community of agriculture and that everyone is willing to help one another.

Farming is special and there is no other place I'd rather be than right here on our farm, building on both my husband's and my family's legacies for the future generation, our children.

I hope you all have a great National Ag Day and I would love to hear any of your questions you have about farming.  As always, be sure to Comment for a Cause.

Farmers Helping Neighbors on National Ag Day

Living in the country, the term "neighbor" has a pretty broad meaning.  Factually saying, my nearest neighbor is one mile away.  But if we limit neighbors to just one mile, then I only have three neighbors.  So like many rural residents, I stretch the boundaries of neighbors more than Wikipedia probably accepts.

One thing I love about the farming community is that we stretch our community boundaries, and are always willing and wanting to help out a neighbor.  Several years ago we partnered with many other neighbors to help out some neighbors (they live 5 miles away) harvest their husband/father's fields after he unexpectedly passed away.  We were there for Therron's family not expecting anything in return.  We were there because it is what a neighbor does.  We help each other out.  We are a friendly face giving the farmer wave driving down the road.  We care for the well being of our entire community.

The harvest crew for the Therron Miller family, October 2011

Right now is a time that the farming community is coming together to help our neighbors in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas that have been impacted by wildfires.  Through these wildfires, more than 2,300 square miles have been burned and tragically seven people have died and thousands of cattle have been killed.

Last Friday, Iowa's Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation to allow the transportation of oversize and overweight loads of forage on Iowa's roads for the next two months.  This is allowing people to drive large bales of hay and other forages to the ranchers in need.

Another way Iowa's farmers are lending a hand is by an online auction happening on Friday, April 7th at 10 a.m. to raise funds for victims of the recent wildfires.  This is being hosted by the Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation, Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Dream Dirt.  You can learn more about the auction by checking out my friend, and neighbor, Cristen of Food & Swine's recent post.

You can also find a list of other aid efforts on AgWeb.

Do you know of any other ways to help our neighbors affected by the wildfires?  Be sure to share in the comment section below and always remember to Comment for a Cause!

When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Farmer

Our oldest son, LP, just turned five years old and he is asked quite often "What do you want to be when you grow up?".  He always proudly answers, "A Farmer".  So in honor of National Ag Day, I sat down and interviewed him and asked him "Why?".  His answers made me smile and I hope they do for you too.

Because my Dad and Mom are farmers.

Already at the age of five LP thinks the legacy of our family's farm is a pretty "cool" thing.  LP is the sixth generation on our farm, and My Farmer and I are doing all that we can to make sure that our farm is sustainable for him, or any of his siblings, to take over when they are grown up.

LP this past fall with Flat Aggie

Because I like tractors.

He's a five year old boy, are you really surprised this is one of his reasons why he wants to be a farmer?  Heck, this is one of the reasons I enjoy farming.  Big wheels, big machines, and lots of power - yep, sounds like a pretty good reason on why being a farmer is awesome!

Because you get to plant.

I thought this was an unbelievable answer to come from a five year old.  LP has already discovered to love of getting a little dirty, planting seeds, and seeing the miracle of having a crop bloom and get harvested at the end of the year.  Raising corn and soybeans on our farm is one of my favorite aspects because we get a fresh start every year.  We learn from past years to better our farms for each new year.  We are constantly learning on the farm, and that is something unique about our job of farming.

Because you get to wear a cool costume.  Now after this answer I had to ask him what a farmer costume was and he said:  It's the farmer suit.  You get to wear cool shirts, Carhartt bibs in the winter and cool boots.

I had never thought about the "farmer suit" til LP talked about it.  Our "cool shirts" are usually from different seed or chemical companies, agricultural associations, etc.  They do have some pretty fun designs and wording on them so I can see why he is looking forward to wearing his own some day.  Carhartt bib overalls are must in the winter time in order to stay warm while working outside.  These aren't just cool as LP sees them, they are practical and needed.  And the "cool boots".  Both My Farmer and I have farm boots - aka old pull on leather boots, and rubber chore boots.  According to LP both are cool and he thinks it is great that you get to wear them everyday when you're a farmer.

And lastly: Because you get to take care of pigs everyday.

LP loves helping his Dad check the pigs to make sure they are healthy and comfortable.  He loves that we have animals on our farm and he has plans on adding to the kinds of livestock that we raise.  If you ask LP, he wants to add a cow, chickens and horses.  I hate to tell him, but he might have to wait til he has his own farm to have some of those.  But I'm willing to invest in probably some chickens and maybe a bucket bottle calf as a 4-H project someday.

So from our family, to yours, we hope you have a great National Ag Day!  Thanks to LP for letting me interview him.  I hope you enjoyed his answers on why he wants to be a farmer when he grows up as much as My Farmer and I both did.  The future of agriculture is growing strong!  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Happy National Ag Day! #DayinIAag

Today is National Ag Day, so I thought what better to do, then share what we are doing today on the farm:

Joe from Brokaw Precision checking seed meters

We have been busy getting ready for spring planting.  Today is a busy day in the shop, as we are hosting a Planter Clinic.  This is where local farmers come in and get their planter meters checked.  We offer this service to our seed business customers.

Seed meters are part of our precision planting system that controls the seeding rate and population of individual rows on our planter.  Each row has its own meter.  This systems allows us to stop seeding where we don't want to plant, all on the go.  Our seed meters are checked for their efficiency by checking how many skips or double plants the meter has through a test on the meter machine.  Making sure our meters are working properly is one way for us to make sure that our planter is putting seed into the ground accurately, and in the end, increasing our yields.

Doesn't that giant picture of pork ribs
I'm standing in front of look good!

Now, while the guys are busy in the shop, I am actually busy in Des Moines for a social media training at the National Pork Board.  This is a great opportunity to meet other pork farmers from across the country and to discuss #realpigfarming.

Speaking of pigs, our barns are getting ready to go to market.  Soon My Farmer will be turning on the auto-sort feature of our barns to start sorting hogs that are in the ideal weight range into a select pen.  This element not only helps reduce labor, but also reduces stress on both My Farmer and Father-in-Law, and on the pigs.

So there is a little look into our day in Iowa agriculture.  What would you like to know more about?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

Norman Borlaug - Innovator, Farmer, Humanitarian, Iowan

When I was in college I had the privilege to intern for one of Iowa's senators in Washington D.C.  My main role was working with the legislative team, but I also helped give Capitol tours when large groups came through the Senator's office.  There are many interesting facts about the US Capitol; one of which is that placed within the Capitol are two statues representing each state.  Each statue is donated by individual states to honor persons notable in their history.  It was always apart of the tour to show both of Iowa's statues in the National Statuary Hall Collection to visitors - Samuel Kirkwood and James Harlan.  Now I have to admit, I really didn't know too much about either Iowa figure before my summer of giving tours.  Both names were familiar, but I wasn't able to tell visitors too much about them until after some research.  Samuel Kirkwood was the governor of Iowa and also a U.S. Senator; his statue was given to the collection in 1913.  James Harlan served in the US Senate and also as US Secretary of the Interior; his statue was given to the collection in 1910.  I tell you all of this why?  Because...

I've very proud to say that today, after a few years of work and dedication, Iowa will replace the statue of James Harlan with one of Dr. Norman Borlaug.  Since 2003 when the law changed to allow states to remove a previously placed statue from the collection and replace it with another, only four other states have replaced statues.  Today Iowa becomes the fifth and I can't think of a better representative and historical Iowa figure other than Norman Borlaug.  And the really cool part, it's happening on Borlaug's would be 100th birthday and National Ag Day.

Norman Borlaug was an innovator, farmer, humanitarian and Iowan.  Born on a farm south of Cresco, Iowa, he is considered the "Father of the Green Revolution" and is estimated to have saved 1 billion lives through his agricultural innovation advances in wheat breeding preventing a mass famine.  He is also known for founding the World Food Prize, which is also known as the "Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture".  The World Food Prize inspires and recognizes achievements in improving the quality, quantity and availability of food in the world.  Norman Borlaug is also one of only three Americans to have received the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal (others are Martin Luther King, Jr. and Elie Wiesel).  He also received the National Medal of Science.

After graduating from Cresco High School, he went to the University of Minnesota to study agronomy and plant pathology.  He then went on to dedicating nearly 60 years to ending world hunger by working on agricultural productivity in developing countries, most notably Mexico, India and Pakistan, and later other Asian and African countries.  He developed types of high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties to help alleviate hunger.  He also worked on improving crop management practices in these countries so they could produce more wheat, one of mankind's food staples.

Norman Borlaug helped pave the wave for agriculture innovation to help feed a growing population, a goal that today's farmers and agricultural scientists are still aiming for.  Just think how the world would be now without his contributions?  Food security is still an issue around the world, but if Norman Borlaug hadn't taken the initial step to help provide food for countries that had no other means or resources to get it, think what situation we'd be in then?  On our farm we are using new technologies to help us be more efficient on our land: corn that is resistant to insects, soybeans that are resistant fungus, precision planting and GPS, etc.  The work and improvements of today continue to build upon the foundation that Norman Borlaug set back in the 1940's.

I am a proud Iowan and farmer today to have Norman Borlaug recognized for all of his agricultural and humanitarian efforts.  If you would like to learn more about Norman Borlaug be sure to check out #Borlaug100 and you can watch a live webcast of the statue being unveiled at 10 am CST.

What do Norman Borlaug's contributions mean to you?

Remember to Comment for a Cause!

An Ag Day Poem: A Day in the Life of My Farmer

My Farmer starting his morning this Ag Day

As I got to thinking about National Ag Day I thought about my family, especially my husband, who I affectionately call My Farmer.  My Farmer works hard all day, every day of the year.  Many people wonder what a farmer even does in the winter – well, here is a look at a typical winter day lately for My Farmer:  

He’s starting up his pick-up, often before the morning sun is due.

The coffee pot is brewing, to help him make it through his list to do.

First thing on the list is to check the hogs – good thing he has his snow plow ready so he can get there,

See, he’s the first one on the gravel roads, neighbors depend on him to clear the way as much as the hogs care.

After the hog chores are done and the neighborhood roads and driveways are clear,

Its 9 o’clock and time to meet with the banker – I get a call that asks to set out some clean clothes to wear.

Following the morning meeting it is back to the list, he consults his memory to figure out what is next,

Check the grain bins and work on the semi – we’ll be hauling to town next week and they could use a check.

It’s the end of March and planning has started for spring,

But it’s hard to be thinking corn and soybeans when wondering what the next snow storm will bring.

Better run the plow one more time around – it’s getting late and the sun is going down.

Can’t wait to eat supper with the family and play one round of tickle monster before a church meeting in town,

At home at last, ready to call it a night,

Check the overnight trades and go through the bills under the office light.

Kisses good night from everyone, prayers for strength to get up in the morning and go,

This isn’t a life of a super hero or the wealthiest person around – it’s a day in the life of My Farmer, a man I love and cherish more than you’ll ever know.

Happy National Ag Day everyone!  If you want to check out other Ag Day posts from people across the United States check out today's Agriculture Proud blog.  What will you do to celebrate?