“When the road looks rough ahead, remember the man upstairs and the word hope.  Hang on to both and tough it out.” 

— John Wayne

If you know me well at all than you know John Wayne is one of my all time favorite people. I guess I have my Dad to thank for that! These words not only come from a Hollywood legend, but from a man who experienced rough times just like everyone.

These are definitely rough times and I have no doubt that there will be more to come. So during this drought and the rough times ahead I am going to continue to remember the man upstairs and have hope for my future and the future of agriculture. To sum it up, I’m going to tough it out!

“Have passion finding your passion.”

                                                                          -Katie Thomas

I love seeing people show their passion and I love that these boys’ passion is agriculture. They definitely have passion for their crops and livestock and that  has led them to find their passion for agriculture. I also love the fact that they are brothers and I hope that they stay in the industry and make farming a passionate family tradition.

My passion is also agriculture. I love giving people the facts about agriculture. I believe that it is extremely important for the everyday consumer to know the facts about where their food, fiber, and fuel comes from. I also want consumers to know about the farm and ranch families that make it all possible. I guess that’s where the  teacher in me comes into play. I think of my self as an advocate for agriculture also known as an “Agvocate.” To sum it up I support and love agriculture because it is my passion.

What is your passion?

When I would ask my Dad about how things were going with the farm or about anything in general and I didn’t like his answer he followed by saying, “That’s just part of it.”

Well he wasn’t the only man in the business of agriculture that said those same words.

The following conversation was between the Pioneer Woman and her rancher husband, Marlboro Man.

Pioneer Woman: Okay, so how do you feel to live in an ocean where the waves that carry you are the markets, the weather, and other factors that are beyond your control?

Marlboro Man: That’s just part of it.

Pioneer Woman: Part of what?

Marlboro Man: Part of agriculture. Part of life. It’s actually kind of liberating at a certain point — you do the best that you can with what you can control, and you pray about what you can’t control. And you have faith that it’ll all work out in the end.

This drought that has come upon us this summer is out of our control, but that’s just part of it. My Dad always said you can’t have a good year every year. I believe this is the worst year that I have seen in my lifetime. So I will continue to understand that “that’s just part of it” in this industry. I will also continue to “pray about what you can’t control.”

“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds.”