I am a camel...

I try not to complain about the weather, but this winter has been rough. The storm we just had in Maine is the straw that literally broke my back. Okay, so "broken" may be a slight exaggeration of the intense knee-buckling pain that fires across my back when I stand up, sit down, turn, attempt to walk, breathe, or use any part of my lower back.  It will heal, almost certainly before the first crocus pops up in the early spring sun. Still, I don't know if I can handle another storm, physically or mentally, until 2015.

Normally, with a pulled back muscle I deal with the pain and after a few days, things are back to normal. In addition to the pain this time, however, is the fact that I am primary caregiver for my grandfather, my mother as she recovers from shoulder surgery, a hyper dog, a finicky cat, one temperamental house rabbit and 17 Simmental beef cows. Timing could not be worse - there is an awful lot of snow that needs to be moved.

Although I am begging Mother Nature for mercy, and feeling miserable for not being able to perform the tasks that I should, I try to see the positive in my situation. I hate the feeling of being dependent on others; I wish my cousin didn't have to put out round bales for the cattle and the neighbor didn't have to navigate treacherous roadways late in the evening to feed our bull and steer in the barn. Yet, I'm sure the opportunity will arise when I will be able to help them. It's the cycle of community, through good weather and bad.

Facebook: Friend or Foe?

I am a Facebook addict.  I have tried to "kick the habit" and even went off line for several days. And by several, I mean three. Okay, two and a half. Anyway, the point is that I still regularly log in, both on my computer and via my phone.  On my phone I tend to focus on alerts from close friends and updating my own status or uploading photos. On the computer, however, I find myself  scrolling through the newsfeed and refreshing constantly for new comments, notifications, any information that I can use as a distraction, and (guilty pleasure confession) playing games. I chastise myself for wasting time with it and yet I continue to incorporate it into my daily routine.

Over the past several years, my use of Facebook has evolved almost as much as its privacy policies.  At first, I almost exclusively reported that I was "working" or "should be working but playing Farmville instead." Since then, after  a combination of deeper psychological probing ("what's on your mind?"), an exponential increase in my number of associates ("friends") and family drama, I decided to incorporate a greater purpose to my contributions to the site.  For example, I started a page for my favorite Simmental cow Lisa, in which she posts periodic updates about life on the farm from her perspective. Writing for Lisa allows me to use Facebook as an educational tool to promote agriculture as well as practice to sharpen my writing skills.

Beyond my posts, I have connected with people from all areas of my life. As a result, I have been inspired and educated. For starters, several people have enlightened me to various weight loss tools or shared their personal journeys which I find motivating. I discovered My Fitness Pal through Facebook and I cheer on friends making healthy decisions for themselves through programs like Weight Watchers. I've also seen some neat agricultural promotions along with general quotes and sentiments that stimulate my mind. Occasionally professional information and job leads are available.

Bottom line: Facebook can be a foe but it can be a friend. It's all in how you use it, I guess.  In the grand scheme of things I may regret spending so much time on Bejeweled Blitz (even if I did torch it up for over a million points), but there are people who would not be in my life at all if it weren't for social networking. Besides enjoying those renewed friendships, I hope to continue to utilize it in the most positive and beneficial manner possible for both my weight loss struggle and agricultural advocacy, or "agvocacy".  Granted it would be a bit easier if everyone chose to be more positive in their posts but life is meant to be full of challenges, isn't it?

Agriculture: Education vs. Conversation

While participating in Agchat on Twitter, there have been a few times when I noticed a dichotomy in the discussion regarding agriculture and the general public.  Some people emphasize the importance of educating the general public, while others stress the need for having a conversation with consumers that are likely more educated about agriculture.

Certainly the internet has provided a wealth of information to a population that is further removed from agriculture than it was several decades ago.  Unfortunately, much of the information available is not reliable nor scientifically sound, and typically found in the form of emotionally charged editorials.  So despite the rise in interest leading to self-education by some of the population, the two percent of the population involved in agriculture have a responsibility to educate and dispel myths when necessary.

The Information Highway, though,  is not completely cluttered by intellectual litter.  As the X-Files put it, the truth is out there.  So when interacting with more knowledgeable yet inquisitive consumers, the conversation aspect becomes crucial.  I'm not a psychologist, but I don't think I've ever met anyone who enjoyed feeling like an idiot because someone talked down to them. Having a conversation with someone goes beyond education because you listen as much - if not more than - you speak. Any and all information during a conversation should be provided to consumers in such a way that they feel confident in your reliability as a source.

Most of my interaction with consumers occurs at local fairs and expositions.  At these events, I find it best to start with basic educational points, and as I gain a better understanding of the consumer's perspective and knowledge, I shift into a more conversational mode. I always try to end on a positive note because if it's the only interaction a consumer has with a producer, it needs to be the best one possible.

Food for thought

I wouldn't change my background for anything in the world. It's not "easy" to live on a farm, financially, but the trade-offs reap multiple benefits throughout one's life.  Responsibility, hard work, and commitment are just some of the values one learns.  You have to show up to work, or the animals don't eat.  A lot of farm families understand the meaning of sacrifice as they sacrifice time and effort to ensure the welfare of the animals before their own.

One drawback of being a farm kid is being in a minority, and when you're in a minority, your voice is not often heard among the shouts of the majority. Misinformation, myths and stereotypes permeate the media regarding agriculture today. Traditionally producers have shied away from the media, but thankfully there is a shift in the advocacy for agriculture.

I am fortunate that my experiences provide me with greater appreciation for the daily contributions of farm and agricultural workers to our nourishment.  If the general population could experience such a lifestyle, it would understand animal behavior, crop science and  a multitude of other complex issues that affect food production. A greater understanding would lead to a greater support network for the agricultural sector, ultimately bolstering industries and protecting the American food supply.

Here's my #Foodthanks...what's yours?

Gratitude should be observed everyday, but sometimes we lose focus on what matters most in our lives and the many blessings we have received. Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to do that at least once a year, and this year, thanks to several ag tweeps on Twitter, I am going a step further and participating in #foodthanks.  For more information, I recommend checking out http://foodthanks.com/.

First of all, I am particularly thankful for the individual farmers who wake up long before I do, work outside regardless of the conditions, rarely take a day off (let alone a vacation) and care for the animals and land in order for me to enjoy the wholesome fruits of their labor. I am thankful for the farm families who sacrifice time, energy and off-the-farm incomes, in some cases, to support the operation. I am thankful for the amazing agricultural community at large that looks after its own during unexpected crises or accidents.

I am thankful for veterinarians caring for production animals of all shapes and sizes.  I am thankful for the researchers who continue to find more efficient tools for farmers to use in order to protect and increase the sustainability of agricultural production. I am thankful for the cooperative extension agents that work to provide beneficial information to farmers.

I am thankful to cattle dealers who literally risk life and limb when handling cattle and moving them from point A to point B.  I am thankful for the truck drivers who transport products safely and quickly across the country. I am thankful for those in the processing and retail industries that follow established rules and protocol to ensure food safety and quality is maintained to the highest standard possible. I'm thankful that we have a freedom to make a variety of dietary choices and we can feel safe because of our country's standards and regulations.

Finally, this year I am especially thankful for those agvocates who have inspired me to make the best possible use of social media. I look forward to continuing to learn about those tools and resources and make advocating for agriculture part of my daily routine.