Blogs

I’ve always said, “If we can’t bring consumers to the farm, then let’s bring the farm to consumers.” As a dairy farmer and passionate agvocate, I particularly love to educate about agriculture through farm tours.

Recently, I went back home and walked through the barn. The freestalls have held beef cattle in them since my parents quit dairy farming several years ago.

Laundry piles high, dishes totter and spill on the counter, crumbs scatter like ants under the table, and the teal carpet lies cluttered and brown from the want of a vacuum while I sit frustrated, once again, that I let things get out of control. Oh, I have my bag of excuses.

Between thawing frozen pipes and putting earmuffs on calves, hopefully these cold winter days allow a few moments to catch up on your reading list. One book in particular has got me thinking deeply and laughing loudly.

If you chase two rabbits … you will not catch either one.

—Russian proverb

Wouldn’t it be nice to feel like you’re only chasing two rabbits? If you’re like me, it feels like you’re chasing a dozen or more, and not catching any. It’s frustrating, makes me grumpy, and it’s hard to stay motivated.

When I think about the people involved in ag, one word describes them all: passionate. Farmers are one of the most passionate groups of people you will ever meet, but sometimes our passion can be a liability. The most recent example is a certain Super Bowl commercial depicting dairy in a less than positive way.