Ag and The Public... the questions my thesis leads me to

First, I apologize for being too busy too blog and there is no excuse. I sit here just having printed off a VERY rough draft of the first three chapters of my thesis- 22 pages. I hope the next 40 are slightly more exciting.

As I reflect on the past two months since that's how long I have been slacking, several things come to mind. First, in doing school work and working on my thesis which looks at the impact 4-H and FFA exhibits have on fairgoers's perceptions of agriculture, I have to wonder - Are we teaching our youth to be good advocates? Does the public care enough to visit the livestock areas (not the petting zoo, the hardcore stuff)? Do they realize the 4-H and FFA are associated with agriculture? Does the public value ag and what do they perceive and know about our industry? These are question that I hope to be able answer within the next several months.

While I would like to be optimistic, my research ad left a sour taste in my mouth and I feel the results might be depressing, even in the number 1 Ag producing stat in the country. What doe you think? Any guesses?What have 4-H or FFA taught you?

I am also grateful during the past few months to finally have my significant other in the same town and being able to enjoy each other's companionship and have a reason to cook, even if I am less than successful at times. He even puts up with the fact that I already have the house decorated for Christmas, minus the tree. I just can't help it - Christmas Lovers Anonymous here I come.

On a more or less important note, depending on how you look at it, I am already strategies for Black Friday- my second favorite holiday- yes it is it's own holiday. Stores are opening at 12, which almost defeats the Black Friday part, but for nuts like me is great! Although I won't have Ryan or family to shop with this year, I am sure I'll manage.

Just some thoughts for the week. Oh and for those in school, dead week = t-minus 1 month!

Too Long

Ok, so I haven't exactly been a good blogger lately.  However, I have good reason. Well, actually I don't but still. Ryan and I had a wonderful vacation to Denver. The weather was great and the junk food runeth over. I can't remember the last time we both let our tension and work go and just hung out with each other.

Now, school has been in session for 2.5 week and the real reason I haven't blogged is because I was too busy worrying about school and my thesis- which will kill me (I'm fairly certain). However, I'm being told "it's a process" and that I'm not expected to finish in a day. Stressful none-the-less. Living in the same town as my boyfriend for the first time ever has been nice. Someone to help carry the groceries up the stairs and eat meals with. However, boys are kinda smelly and not very tidy and tend to stay out all night. This has presented  few growing pains, but we are working on it.

Most exciting though is that two members of my family, the half that like to shop and eat and do it again  (with a nap in between or course) will be her this time tomorrow. Having spent the last 4 days feeling sick because the boy brought home germs, I am happy to say that shopping and girl time is in order.My life as I knew it is changing and I'm going to need new clothes to do it in.

With ACT meetings, officer retreats homework and life all merging into one- it ought to get interesting around here, but at least Stella still makes me smile.

AMS- A Whole New Adventure

Well, back from Ag Media Summit in NOLA. It was a wonderful experience to bond with other ACT members as well as business professionals. It is exciting to see college friends find new jobs that they love. In fact, it gives me hope for the rest of us. During the conference I was fortunate enough to attend various sessions covering a wide array of topics from social media to US Farm and Ranch Alliance.

Learning new tips about integrating digital media and increasing ROI brought up some interesting ideas on how to be more in the social media game and make it work. Plus, it never hurts that Shelly Kramer was hilarious.

As a pig farmer (ok retired pig farmer) it warms my hear to see that someone, or lots of someones actually, are banning together to tell our message. By checking our individual agendas at the door and promoting agriculture as a whole, we can and will stand up to those who are doing our industry harm. As young communicators, we must do our part in promoting ag to any and everyone who is willing to listen. If we each made a goal to talk to one person about ag a week that would be 52 people per year, multiplied by those who are willing to talk. Then, what if they told someone else? It may seem like a small act, but it could have a huge impact.

This conference renewed my passion for the ag industry. It has inspired me to talk tweet, and facebook about what is going in the ag industry. People are inspired by other people. I'm willing to talk, are you?

Once back from AMS, I had to catch up at work and with my assistantship duties. Stella of course demanded a great deal of attention and loving after being gone for 5 days. Now that August has arrived, I am excited for vacation in 14 days to a place that is NOT 112, friends to return to Stilly and family to visit. I look forward to cooler weather and serving as the NACT president and serving the members to the best of my ability.

The Adventures Continue

What a busy, fun summer it has been thus far, and with only a month left until school starts, the end is proving to be just as full as the beginning. Stella and I are now fully settled and a majority of the decorating is complete. I have decided that this weather in Oklahoma is for the birds! I can't remember a day when is was cooler than 100. I mean honestly. However, I have come to the conclusion that as a reward to the people of Sillwater for not leaving completely during the summer months, the city hostsKrazy Days, a 3 day shopping adventure. Ok, I;m sure it's just to bring out the crazy shoppers like me. But, I am determined to behave myself.

I guess I shouldn't complain because despite the heat, the humidity hasn't been too off the chart. After checking the weather in New Orleans, I am sad to say it's going to be in the 90s with 94% humidity. This is not fun, I mean talk about sticky! Despite the weather, I am totally excited about Ag Media Summit. Meeting new people, catching up with old friends and networking will combat the weather nicely, I'm sure. 

Then, it only two and half weeks until Ryan and I go to Denver on vacay and school starts. I never thought I'd be excited for school, but if it means we finally live in the same town after 4.5 years, I'm game.  Looking forward to the next month, event the lawn mowers races at the end of the month! Updates on the conference and travels soon.

Until next time- KK

Colorado and Stella's New Digs

After signing my lease and two hours of painting, I left Okieville for the mountains of Colorado. However, I did make a brief pit stop at Ryan's to find out he got sheep fungus under his beard.  I told him the beard was a bad idea.  I mean, we aren't Brian Wilson now. Anways, After the 12 hour drive, parts of which were on the side of a cliff, I was happy to reach Pagosa Springs. So was my family, one because they were hungry and two because my mother was worried because she couldn't find my location on a map. Yes, she would chip me like a dog if I'd let her. Anyways, after two early mornings and lots of fishing,  I am happy to announce I won the fishing contest with 13 fish including blue gill, perch, trout and a bass.

Then, my family decided to drive to Oklahoma to help me move, a choice I am very much appreciative of. However, following dad back proved challenging. We drove all day and unpacked until 11:30 pm, then got up at 6 and unpacked some more. One thing my family did decide was that I have too much stuff and that they have a much more realistic idea of Oklahoma weather. I am happy to say  I returned my old apartment keys today and Stella is very happy in her new house. She was a little nervous to say the least.

After catching up wit h the bestie over the weekend, it's back to work for 2.5 weeks. I was also enlightened today about an event called Krazy Dayz, which is a town-wide side walk sale. Retails stores all over town have huge sales. So far certainly the highlight to staying here over the summer. Maybe that's how they reward people for not deserting over the summer... haha. Then, it's off to New Orleans for some Ag Comm fun and learning. Looking forward to more officer bonding and networking.

The weeks ahead are looking promising.

An A Serious Note- 4-H Desensitizing Kids- WHAT!!!

After perusing facebook, I noticed a fellow facebooker posted this link, http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/06/23/does-4-h-desensitize-kids-to-killing/?hpt=ea_r5.

Upon following it, I was astonished to find there are those out there who feel 4-H and FFA (I added that myself) are desensitizing  youth in regards to animal killing. Let me just share, that as past 4-H and FFA member, this couldn't be farther from the truth.  If anything, these programs made me a more compassionate person. Each of my animals had a name and it was hard to sell them with the understanding they would eventually be meat. However, the flip side is that Bubba, Happy, and the others provided nutrition to families such as mine.  I quite often consume animals I have raised.

Being in youth agriculture programs instilled in me a respect for hard work, the agricultural lifestyle and compassion and even respect for the animals I raised. At a young age, I learned that these type of animal are production animals and only were companions in the short-term. It doesn't mean that I don't have compassion for dying animals  (both companion and non) or that I wish to witness inhumane harvesting of animals either. It does mean I understand the process and can make informed choices about the products I eat and respect the farmer who worked hard to produce the food I consume.

Although I respect the opinions of others who believe differently than I do,  I can say from experience that I became more compassionate and aware not less. This does not prevent me from enjoying the protein and nutrients found in meats provided to me from humanely harvest 4-H ,and FFA products as well as large-scale operations.

Colorado and a New Place All in the Same Week!

Thank heavens for hump day! It will be great to talk to my good friend Charlie. He always seems to make life seem happier. Then, it's back to packing up my house for hte move next weekend. but in the process,  I have t pack my suitcase for my family vacation to Colorado. It ought to be really fun and interesting (especially if they bring Molly, our lab). I am not necessarily looking forward to the 12 hours drive alone, but  Ibet  it will be pretty this time of year.

Sad to have missed my sister's last county fair and my first missed show in 13 years. But It will be nice to have some family time. Then, it' back home to move my house about 70 yards. LOL. Hopefully Ryan and I will be able to complete the move and have my old house cleaned in 2 days time.

Then, three weeks after the move I will be headed to New Orleans for AMS. It should be a great time reconnecting with friends and making new ones. Plus, after looking at the tentative schedule, it seems like there are some wonderful workshops to glean information from this yearSchool will start not too far after that and  I will being working on my thesis... YIKES.

In closing, my thoughts go out to those in my life present and past who have gotten terrible news about their health this week. As always, Stella is good.