I have passion and I know it

“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?

Time to break out your rain dance

This is the longest stretch of dry weather Indiana has had in 104 years. What does this mean for the corn crop? It is in stress…a lot of stress. And as my Dad would have said, “That’s just part of it.”

Here is a great video to watch and learn what exactly the corn crop is doing during this drought.

I believe it is time for us all to break out into our rain dances! Please continue to keep farm families in your thoughts and prayers!

“That’s just part of it.”

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.”

Thank Moo…

This is a picture of the best handmade “thank you” card I have ever received. It was made and given to me by a fifth grade student I worked with last year. I wrote and gave “Gus” a thank you card during our last meeting. He decided he wanted to make me one saying, “Miss Thomas I want to make you a thank you card.” So I got out paper and markers for him to do so. As he wrote “Thank you” on the card I heard him say, “shoot I didn’t mean to write that.” When I asked him what he wanted to write instead he said, “I wanted to write Thank Moo because you like cows.” So he flipped the paper over and wrote “Thank Moo”…because I like cows.

Inside the card he wrote, “You are going to be a great teacher.” I knew there was a special reason I wanted to be a teacher. I hope I was able to teach him a little about agriculture and that he will always remember that teacher that liked cows. He was a joy to work with. So to sum it up, thank moo Gus.

Words to live by on this 4th of July…

“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.”

                                                                                                                                          President Thomas  Jefferson

On this 4th of July holiday I am reminded how blessed I am to live in America and have the opportunity to know some of the most valuable citizens, the American Farmer.

I hope everyone has a great 4th of July and please continue to pray for rain! God bless America and the American Farmer!

Photo Friday: June Dairy Month

Did you know that June is National Dairy Month?

I had the opportunity today to visit Kelsay Farms, a dairy farm in Whiteland, Indiana. The Marion County Farm Bureau sponsored the Wheeler-Dowe Boys & Girls Club to tour the dairy farm. During their tour the boys and girls learned how a dairy farm operates as they got up close and personal to the dairy cows. They also learned facts about dairy products and all the nutritional value dairy has.

I had so much fun seeing these kids experience Kelsay Farms and learn about agriculture!

June isn’t the only time dairy will be celebrated. This year will be the Year of the Dairy at the Indiana State Fair. So be sure to visit the Indiana State Fair and buy a milk shake to show your support of America’s dairy farm families!

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Soul Mates

Words to live by this Wednesday:

“Maybe our girlfriends are our soul mates.” 

— Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City

 I believe in soul mates, I really do. And I believe in having more than one. So, before the man of my dreams comes into my life he will have to share the term “soul mate” with these lovely ladies…

Some of my soul mates at Red’s Place

Some soul mates also serve as role models.

Birds eye view of the most incredible women in my life.

The Curly Q’s and Straighty Q’s

Thomas girls are always ready….Garrison girls are NEVER ready!

Laughing with my soul mates is my all time favorite thing to do.

To sum it up I have amazing friends in my life and they will forever be my soul mates!

Photo Friday: The June Bride

Last weekend my older cousin, Kara married her best friend Ryan.

This was the only time my older cousin was actually taller than me.

I had the honor of being a part of their day.  Kara was a beautiful June bride. Thank you for letting me stand by you.

Now I am taller, much taller than my older cousin.

Congratulations Kara and Ryan, enjoy spending forever together.

Words to live by Wednesday

The land….

“Why, the land is the only thing in the world worth workin’ for, worth fightin’ for, worth dyin’ for, because it’s the only thing that lasts.”

Gerald O’Hara said that to his daughter Scarlett in Gone with the Wind which is my all time favorite movie.  These words are filled with so much meaning and passion. Mr. O’Hara loved the land and he wanted Scarlett to know how precious and valuable the land is.  When I watch this father and daughter scene in the movie it always reminds me how passionate my Father was about the land and how dear I now hold the land to my heart. To sum it up I guess you could say the land is my first true love. I’m okay with this because it really is the only thing worth workin, fightin, and dyin’ for. The land is the only thing that lasts.

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Each Wednesday I will post a quote for “Words to live by Wednesday” and sum up why I like it and plan to live by it.

Father’s Day: A day to remember him

It’s Father’s day and simply put, everyone should take the time to thank their Fathers for everything they do because one day they won’t be around for you to thank anymore.

If you personally know me than you know that the opportunity for me to thank my Father in person is gone because he is no longer on this earth with me. But today isn’t any different. It’s just another day that he isn’t here.

He’s always looked after me. Now he does it from a higher view.

He sure as hell would not want me sitting around crying and feeling sorry for myself. So to honor my Pops (that’s what I called him) I will live out today and remember the advice he always told me.

Pops’s Life Advice:

1. There’s no burin’ daylight!

2. If you can’t take a piss in your own backyard than your neighbors are too close.

3. Suck it up! But if you feel poorly drink a Hot Toddy.

4. If you’re ever given the opportunity to buy some land, buy it! There will never be anymore!

5. Just don’t be stupid!

And I will continue to cherish all the memories I had with him and life lessons he taught me.

He was my first dancing partner.

He taught me how to eat Oeros.

He taught me to stand up tall and be proud of who I am and where I come from.

He gave me the best example of how a life should be lived. To sum it up, thanks Pops.