I've been banking since I was able to walk. I would take my birthday money to our small town bank and put it into my account. It wasn't until junior high did I learn that you were able to take that money out. My Dad would tell us we could only make deposits and that we were never allowed to take it out. Thanks Dad!
It wasn't until later in life when I was introduced to chain banks did I realize that you could bank somewhere, where they ask you ridiculous questions like . . . What is your name?
Jake and I started borrowing money together before we were married. The year we planned our wedding we built our first house together also. However we worked through a small town bank and a wonderful banker. A small town banker (from my experience on two different occasions in two different banks) are marriage counselors and honest sound advice givers. Here are some examples.
Shortly after we were married Jake and I signed a loan with a bigger bank to purchase cows. I was teaching and meeting to sign papers was difficult and I wasn't really feeding these cows and was not investing in the project. However I still needed to sign papers. As it was explained to me that we were legally bound by marriage blah, blah, blah. Fine I will sign the papers. However when I go to the chain bank to cash a check with Jake's name on it and they can clearly see we have all joint accounts, they say we will need Jake's signature. I thought we were bound by marriage.
However borrowing money from a small town banker for cows, feedyard, or house, it goes more like this. The banker greets both of us like a couple. He asks a series of questions to each of us about why we want to make the purchase. Small town bankers seem to be very careful to make sure I am on board with whatever the purchase is. Small town bankers also are more concerned with our personal finances, including if we will have money to buy groceries and make the payments on whatever we are about to purchase.
The icing on the cake for a farm wife at a chain bank is taking your once a year paycheck (with your husbands name on it) to the bank to be deposited in a joint account and they have to go to the back of the bank for a committee meeting. They only come out to ask me preposterous questions like . . .
1. Do you know where this check came from?
I had to show them where you can tell who wrote the check.
2. Why is the check for such a high amount?
I then explained Agriculture 100 in 12.5 minutes and then how banks work.
The only solution is for America to move to all small town banks.
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Business. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The unrealistic weatherman and hardworking Americans
Why do the weatherman reports always start with the complaining of what we are about to see?
The truth about weather is there are very few days that we would deem as perfect. I would really like days of sunshine that aren't too hot. I would enjoy the days that we get no rain or snow, but that do not lead us into drought. I would enjoy sun without being sweaty. These days I would like rain without mud. Then there is the reality of Mother of Nature, who rarely gives you what you want, but will eventually will give you what you need.
The truth about weather is there are very few days that we would deem as perfect. I would really like days of sunshine that aren't too hot. I would enjoy the days that we get no rain or snow, but that do not lead us into drought. I would enjoy sun without being sweaty. These days I would like rain without mud. Then there is the reality of Mother of Nature, who rarely gives you what you want, but will eventually will give you what you need.
Recently one of my former students posted on facebook, "it better be nice when I get off work, I am so tired of working when it's nice outside". It really made me think about how proud I am of all the students that I have taught that are working and contributing to our society. I know some of them aspire to be in other jobs and I think goals and working hard to get ahead is what this country is all about. Good luck to all of you working your way up.
Jake works outside all day almost everyday. He works when the weather is nice, extremely hot and extremely cold and all the days in between. I am happy that when we need groceries, gas, insurance and many other services, there are people that have made those things their days work. I love America and all the people who contribute and spend beautiful days inside and time away from their family and friends to show up to work. It kind of makes me want to break into the song that Alabama sings Forty Hour Week (For A Livin').
Monday, January 14, 2013
Ohio Valley Cattlemen's Banquet
I am aware that most American families go to the movies or maybe bowling on Saturday nights. However this past Saturday after we went to Mass we attended the Ohio Valley Cattlemen's Banquet. If you have not attended your local cattlemen's banquet - you should. It is good food, usually the best steaks with a salad, green beans, potato and pie. There is usually a speaker followed by door prizes. I'll take you through the night as it unfolded.
We ate a lovely dinner of steaks, potatoes, green beans, salads and pie. We had lovely company, as we sat across the table from two older couples. One of the ladies shared with me that Russet Potatoes make better mashed potatoes than Idaho Potatoes. That is good information you can't get at the bowling alley. She also told be that Riesbeck's has them this week. Looks like I will be going there.
Dr. Francis Fluharty from The Ohio State University was the guest speaker.
This leads me into the next slide Dr. Fluharty went over. Which is where will we find enough Agricultural Land to feed all of these people? As Agriculturalists that is how we think. Dr. Fluharty later told me I should make sure the girls learn a second language. I put that on the list. This graph also makes you think of several other career ventures including International Agriculture and Real Estate Investments.
I will continue this discussion in the next few weeks about what this makes me think about the beef industry and ours along with the girls' futures owning a feedyard and cows.
The door prizes were then handed out. The girls were excited as they began calling names. The first door prize was handed out a hat from the local farm machinery dealership, and a couple gift cards. Soon Jaelin's name was called. She won a gardening hoe. She kinda liked it. She used it Sunday to dig up treasures in the yard.
Then Jacie's name was called. She won a tube of grease and showed little less enthusiasm.
It was a great evening of beef knowledge and fellowship with the local beef community.
We ate a lovely dinner of steaks, potatoes, green beans, salads and pie. We had lovely company, as we sat across the table from two older couples. One of the ladies shared with me that Russet Potatoes make better mashed potatoes than Idaho Potatoes. That is good information you can't get at the bowling alley. She also told be that Riesbeck's has them this week. Looks like I will be going there.
Dr. Francis Fluharty from The Ohio State University was the guest speaker.
Dr. Fluharty was my professor at The Ohio State University for Feedyard Management. After the banquet I asked if he would let me use his slides. He graciously sent them to me via email. There were so many good points, that I will break them out over several blogs. The first point was most interesting to me not only as a beef producer, but as a mom.
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| 1950 those had to have been the days. There were only two cities of more than 10 million people each, New York City and Paris. |
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| This is the map for today. This seems reasonable. But then . . . |
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| This is the map that concerns me. In 2050 I will be 72 years old. The girls will however be in their 40's. What does this map mean to them. Although the girls were sitting next to me, they don't yet grasp the concept of megacities, billions of people or even other continents. Jake has since downloaded the app "stack the countries". |
I will continue this discussion in the next few weeks about what this makes me think about the beef industry and ours along with the girls' futures owning a feedyard and cows.
The door prizes were then handed out. The girls were excited as they began calling names. The first door prize was handed out a hat from the local farm machinery dealership, and a couple gift cards. Soon Jaelin's name was called. She won a gardening hoe. She kinda liked it. She used it Sunday to dig up treasures in the yard.
Then Jacie's name was called. She won a tube of grease and showed little less enthusiasm.
It was a great evening of beef knowledge and fellowship with the local beef community.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The technology of Record Keeping.
I was recently asked to make comments on an important Agriculture Topic. What has been the best new technology or management style that farmers and ranchers use to produce more food?
One of the oldest and most effective management quotes on record is "you can't manage what you don't measure". Farmers and ranchers continue to get new technologies in order to record and measure more and more information. As we continue to collect and record more data we are able to manage more intensely. Examples of these include the use of EID (electronic identification) tags and the collection of this information. At 4+ Feeders we are able to document the antibiotic given, date given, and withdraw date. Being a backgrounder for calves that eventually move to another feed yard, this information easily transfers to the next care takers of the cattle. In return beef consumers can be sure that their steaks, burgers, brisket or roast are completely safe.
There are numerous devices and tools that have been designed to help with food production. I am sure you are thinking about a few right now. However when I was teaching Agriculture Education I told all of my students whether they were returning to the farm or not that keeping track of expenses and expenditures for personal use, or if they were running a hair salon, dairy or any other business keeping accurate records is extremely important. We filled out mock record books in class. I recognized that the curriculum has called for all information to be put into a computer system. I think it is extremely important to keep records electronically because it will give you more data and information to make better business decisions.
However I always felt as a teacher to students being introduced to record keeping, that they should do their own adding and subtracting. I didn't like the computer system adding for them and transferring the numbers through the book and then subtracting the expenses and telling them what they made. I wanted them to understand the numbers moving through the system and how to change them. It was important for them to understand that profit could be increased by both decreasing expenses and increasing income.
I will never forget the day I realized that America was at a great loss in our education system for not teaching this anywhere in math except as an elective. I had a National Honor Society student in my class and at the end of the week of teaching these concepts, he said "I am in Honors Algebra II, and I just don't get this." I am thinking at this point and we are in big trouble. While I appreciate the math I have taken involving letters, that math has not made me near the money that math with numbers has.
I am so thankful for the record keeping experience Jake and I have had with the FFA and Agriculture Education. If it wasn't for that experience, we wouldn't be doing what we are today. Although our record system has changed and continues to evolve based on the information we want to collect and need to collect.
There are two things that reminded me this weekend about how important record keeping was and continues to be in all facets of life. The first was my cousin Friday night sitting down after we ate dinner together to count and record the money she had made cutting and coloring hair that day. She recorded information from that day on paper, quite possibly the most simple record keeping system available, but still very useful. The second thing was when I found my Grandpa's record books from his Agriculture Education and FFA days. I wish I would have had these when I was teaching. These are my Grandpa Jim Poorman's record books from his Junior year of High School in 1942-1943. This was the same year that he quit high school to take over the family farm after his father passed away.
According to his records he took corn, wheat, cattle, sheep and hogs as his projects.
One of the oldest and most effective management quotes on record is "you can't manage what you don't measure". Farmers and ranchers continue to get new technologies in order to record and measure more and more information. As we continue to collect and record more data we are able to manage more intensely. Examples of these include the use of EID (electronic identification) tags and the collection of this information. At 4+ Feeders we are able to document the antibiotic given, date given, and withdraw date. Being a backgrounder for calves that eventually move to another feed yard, this information easily transfers to the next care takers of the cattle. In return beef consumers can be sure that their steaks, burgers, brisket or roast are completely safe.
There are numerous devices and tools that have been designed to help with food production. I am sure you are thinking about a few right now. However when I was teaching Agriculture Education I told all of my students whether they were returning to the farm or not that keeping track of expenses and expenditures for personal use, or if they were running a hair salon, dairy or any other business keeping accurate records is extremely important. We filled out mock record books in class. I recognized that the curriculum has called for all information to be put into a computer system. I think it is extremely important to keep records electronically because it will give you more data and information to make better business decisions.
However I always felt as a teacher to students being introduced to record keeping, that they should do their own adding and subtracting. I didn't like the computer system adding for them and transferring the numbers through the book and then subtracting the expenses and telling them what they made. I wanted them to understand the numbers moving through the system and how to change them. It was important for them to understand that profit could be increased by both decreasing expenses and increasing income.
I will never forget the day I realized that America was at a great loss in our education system for not teaching this anywhere in math except as an elective. I had a National Honor Society student in my class and at the end of the week of teaching these concepts, he said "I am in Honors Algebra II, and I just don't get this." I am thinking at this point and we are in big trouble. While I appreciate the math I have taken involving letters, that math has not made me near the money that math with numbers has.
I am so thankful for the record keeping experience Jake and I have had with the FFA and Agriculture Education. If it wasn't for that experience, we wouldn't be doing what we are today. Although our record system has changed and continues to evolve based on the information we want to collect and need to collect.
There are two things that reminded me this weekend about how important record keeping was and continues to be in all facets of life. The first was my cousin Friday night sitting down after we ate dinner together to count and record the money she had made cutting and coloring hair that day. She recorded information from that day on paper, quite possibly the most simple record keeping system available, but still very useful. The second thing was when I found my Grandpa's record books from his Agriculture Education and FFA days. I wish I would have had these when I was teaching. These are my Grandpa Jim Poorman's record books from his Junior year of High School in 1942-1943. This was the same year that he quit high school to take over the family farm after his father passed away.
According to his records he took corn, wheat, cattle, sheep and hogs as his projects.
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| This is an agreement that is very similar to the one found in today's record keeping system for Agriculture Education. It always bothered me that students would forge their parent's signature on these. I would tell them it was against the law to sign someone else's name, they would say "oh my parents don't care". Do you think these signatures look like forgeries? |
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| Isn't this budget interesting? |
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| A cattle Plan of Practice. In 1942 it looks like corn was on the menu for cattle. Hmmmm! |
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| Does anybody want to harvest corn with this plan of practice? |
Sunday, December 2, 2012
The Road to BQA Certification
If there is one thing I have learned through being an agvocate, it is that in order to be sustainable we must be socially pleasing. Why I don't think everyone is angry with the farmers and ranchers producing their food, there are enough people upset to make me squirm in my seat.
My mind is constantly swirling with this question; how do we do it better?
How do we hire the best employees and get them to want to stay?
How do we improve our pen space?
How do we improve our bunks and water tanks?
How do we keep death loss down and sickness to a minimum?
How do we dispose of our manure in an environmentally beneficial way?
How do we do all of this on financially conservative budget?
The first thing I am going to do is start with this free tool of wading through the BQA certification program. . .
Beef Quality Assurance is a national program that provides guidelines for beef cattle production. The program raises consumer confidence through offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.
Producers have embraced BQA because it is the right thing to do; but they have also gained through increased profitability. As an educating program, BQA helps producers identify management processes that can be improved.
We are trained and we are certified in many areas already. We are doing a lot of things right. BUT, we are not perfect and we have some growing to do. I am going to spend the rest of 2012 figuring out what we are doing right and what we can check of the list. I think that will be a feel good activity for the holidays. I am then going to analyze our list of things to improve, which I am sure will be painful to point out our flaws. Hopefully we will then spend 2013 fixing them and move into BQA certification.
I am going to start and share with you our journey (it will be a long one, I am sure). It will be a little longer than I thought last week. Mostly because I had plans of winning the Power Ball (like many of you, I am sure). If I had won I would have bought a new Silencer chute for 4+ Feeders for Christmas.
Since that didn't happen I guess we will live in the reality of making our chute and working facility better. If you do not own or care for any cattle, you can take the journey here on for the love of beef. If you do have your own cattle (no matter how many) you should check out this BQA website and start your own journey. This is going to be a fabulous New Year's Resolution.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Jeremy and Gail Martin
" I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you." -Psalm 32:8
It is difficult to understand why you take the paths you do and why you meet the people you do. However I do believe that God has a great deal to do with where you go, and the people he puts in your path.
When we moved to Nebraska which was a huge and very rewarding journey. Many people would say to us, "you don't know anyone there?" That is a true statement, we didn't know a single person. But wouldn't you know, within a few months we met several very wonderful people and all for very good reason. About a mile and half from the feed yard is Fairview Vet Clinic with two wonderful veterinarians Dr. Becky and Dr. Martin, that we started using for our vet work at the feed yard. Then one day a guy named Jeremy drove in and became our nutritionist. Jeremy would stop by often helping Jake make feed decisions. I soon found out that Dr. Martin and Jeremy were father and son. It is a small world.
Jake and Jeremy soon became friends and would spend hours on the phone "solving the world's problems". Most of their discussions are confidential. Jeremy taught Jake how to manipulate an excel spreadsheet and Jake introduced Jeremy to Big Iron. Jake soon began talking to me about asking Jeremy and Gail to partner with us on our feed yard.
I read a book that National Cattlemen Beef Association gave to Jake on the Young Cattlemen's Conference called Riding for the Brand. The book tells a story of developing partnerships and why it is important.
Gail and I have become friends, talking on the phone several times a week. She has let us bunk in with her and her family on our trips to Nebraska. We share long talks or brief conversations depending on the mood of our children about our children, the feed yard, taxes, Quick books, Husker football, the Buckeyes, were we want to vacation to, and our husbands' crazy ideas. I enjoy our talks and have come to realize we have a lot in common and share the same views on many things.
I will advise you and watch over you." -Psalm 32:8
It is difficult to understand why you take the paths you do and why you meet the people you do. However I do believe that God has a great deal to do with where you go, and the people he puts in your path.
When we moved to Nebraska which was a huge and very rewarding journey. Many people would say to us, "you don't know anyone there?" That is a true statement, we didn't know a single person. But wouldn't you know, within a few months we met several very wonderful people and all for very good reason. About a mile and half from the feed yard is Fairview Vet Clinic with two wonderful veterinarians Dr. Becky and Dr. Martin, that we started using for our vet work at the feed yard. Then one day a guy named Jeremy drove in and became our nutritionist. Jeremy would stop by often helping Jake make feed decisions. I soon found out that Dr. Martin and Jeremy were father and son. It is a small world.
Jake and Jeremy soon became friends and would spend hours on the phone "solving the world's problems". Most of their discussions are confidential. Jeremy taught Jake how to manipulate an excel spreadsheet and Jake introduced Jeremy to Big Iron. Jake soon began talking to me about asking Jeremy and Gail to partner with us on our feed yard.
I read a book that National Cattlemen Beef Association gave to Jake on the Young Cattlemen's Conference called Riding for the Brand. The book tells a story of developing partnerships and why it is important.
Gail and I have become friends, talking on the phone several times a week. She has let us bunk in with her and her family on our trips to Nebraska. We share long talks or brief conversations depending on the mood of our children about our children, the feed yard, taxes, Quick books, Husker football, the Buckeyes, were we want to vacation to, and our husbands' crazy ideas. I enjoy our talks and have come to realize we have a lot in common and share the same views on many things.
Thanks for everything, Martin Family!
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Hurricane Sandy and Beef Cattle
Hurricane Sandy has been weighing on my mind. I have never lived on the coast and really have no idea what it would be like to sit in wait of a storm to hit, hoping you are prepared. As a beef producer you have to wonder what a hurricane would be like. We are in the midst of weaning and shipping calves here. If the hurricane were to hit this evening we could potentially lose our yearly income, because we haven't shipped our cattle yet. This got me interested in finding out what happens to beef producers after a hurricane. Cattle Rescued after Hurricane Isaac
The question is would you stay if you had livestock or would you leave. I really feel (although it is hypothetical for me) that if I had no livestock I would leave. However if I was a livestock producer it would be difficult for me to leave, not knowing what would happen to your farm, livestock and livelihood. What would you do?
This is what the respective states are telling livestock producers to do. Delaware Department of Agriculture preparedness list for livestock.
I just keep wondering how people make these decisions.
The scene looks like this, you are watching the Weather Channel that is explaining Hurricane Sandy like an apocalypse, wondering should you keep the animals in the barn. Can the barn stand after being hit by Hurricane Sandy? Where is the best place to keep all the calves and find them after this horrific storm? There are just too many unknowns. I am worried and concerned about my fellow beef producers in the line of Hurricane Sandy.
The question is would you stay if you had livestock or would you leave. I really feel (although it is hypothetical for me) that if I had no livestock I would leave. However if I was a livestock producer it would be difficult for me to leave, not knowing what would happen to your farm, livestock and livelihood. What would you do?
This is what the respective states are telling livestock producers to do. Delaware Department of Agriculture preparedness list for livestock.
I just keep wondering how people make these decisions.
The scene looks like this, you are watching the Weather Channel that is explaining Hurricane Sandy like an apocalypse, wondering should you keep the animals in the barn. Can the barn stand after being hit by Hurricane Sandy? Where is the best place to keep all the calves and find them after this horrific storm? There are just too many unknowns. I am worried and concerned about my fellow beef producers in the line of Hurricane Sandy.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Bulls shipped to Colorado
The bulls were shipped last week for a trip to Colorado where they will be sold at the Leachman Bull Sale in March. They were loaded here in eastern Ohio on a day near 70 degrees and traveled for about 24 hours. They were unloaded in Colorado in snow. The trucking company that hauled them were unbelievable and work hard to care for the cattle as they were being shipped. When you find a good livestock trucking company, you better keep using them. Jake called this man about trucking the bulls and he told Jake I will work it out and get back with you. Early the next week, Jake hadn't heard from him, so Jake called him. The man told Jake he had just lost his son in a car accident. Jake taken back by this tragic news, said "well do you want me to find someone else to truck the bulls". He said, "no, the business will have to carry on". That is the reality of Agriculture and the triumph desire of rural America. This is the peak of livestock hauling in this country and if it is your business, you have to literally keep trucking. The real hard truth of life.
Truck drivers are essential to animal care and delivery as cattle are shipped all over this country. Jake unloaded a truck at the feed yard one morning about 2AM. This truck driver got out of his truck and began to shock each of the calves weather they needed it or not to get off the truck. There was one calf stuck in one of the compartments alone, he was shocking it to get it off. Jake was becoming very agitated, I should say Jake doesn't get easily angered. He looked at the guy and said "if you shock that calf one more time, I am going to take that and shock you". He said "if you give that a calf a minute and let that other compartment out, that calf will go on out with that group". So he did and the calf went out with the group and then the truck driver apologized to Jake.
Animal welfare is a big deal!!
Animal welfare is a big deal!!
The bulls are now in Colorado and I believe have avoided any other snow falls. If you are wondering how I got this picture. It is a small world. One of my former students and a member of my first banner winning livestock judging team Kara Hicks married Curt Schenkel and became Kara Schenkel and is now living and working at this ranch/feedyard where the bulls will be on test until they are sold. Thanks Kara, for braving the cold with those two adorable children to get me this picture.
Monday, October 8, 2012
My Walmart Boycott
Good point, Sam!
I have not been in Walmart for almost a month and my goal is to not shop in Walmart until Christmas. I am not sure I can go without Walmart through Christmas shopping. I usually stuff stockings and get wrapping paper there. If I can avoid Walmart over Christmas, then I may just make an effort to never shop there again. I realize I will have to pay more for many things, however it is principle.
I have recently watched and read many things about what Walmart stands for. I have decided from what I have heard and read they don't stand for much. I am extremely disappointed in any business that has no values. I would be alright if they would say they stood for something. For example I don't believe they do what is best for their employees, customers, community or country. Really I don't think they care about anything but making money. Don't get me wrong I like money and I think if you are running a business making money should be high on a priority list. I do believe that a goal for businesses should be to make a profit. But, what you do with the profit is crucial to your morals, values and what you stand for. Until Walmart makes a stand for something, I am making a stand to try to stay out of their stores.
Does anyone remember the song from Aaron Tippin You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything?
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Beef Information - Corbitt Wall
It is difficult to find places on the internet to educate yourself on the beef industry and not waste hours looking through data, graphs and charts that you really leave with more questions than answers.
I really like Drovers Cattlenetwork. They have a number of editors and resources in small condensed articles that take minutes to read with thought provoking facts and data.
I was recently directed toward another great source of information from a cattle buyer that sends cattle to 4+ Feeders to be cared for and marketed. Corbitt Wall works for the USDA and tells great stories with a wonderful all American accent. He does all this while giving the facts about what the cattle market is all over the country. The girls even enjoy listening to him. We just may make it a Saturday family event to listen to Corbitt Wall.
I hope my non beef producer readers will listen and tell me what they think. You have to love his story telling ability.
I really like Drovers Cattlenetwork. They have a number of editors and resources in small condensed articles that take minutes to read with thought provoking facts and data.
I was recently directed toward another great source of information from a cattle buyer that sends cattle to 4+ Feeders to be cared for and marketed. Corbitt Wall works for the USDA and tells great stories with a wonderful all American accent. He does all this while giving the facts about what the cattle market is all over the country. The girls even enjoy listening to him. We just may make it a Saturday family event to listen to Corbitt Wall.
I hope my non beef producer readers will listen and tell me what they think. You have to love his story telling ability.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
One of my Top 10 Favorite Places
The Sale Barn, Anywhere, USA
Jake and I hauled some cows today to Muskingum Livestock. There is something very American, deep rooted in Animal Agriculture that makes me want to hang out at the Sale Barn. I love the sound of the auctioneer, good food, interesting people that have made a living buying and selling livestock and the smell. It is inspiring and at the same time sensory overload. If you haven't been, you should go to the sale barn at least once in your lifetime.
Jake and I hauled some cows today to Muskingum Livestock. There is something very American, deep rooted in Animal Agriculture that makes me want to hang out at the Sale Barn. I love the sound of the auctioneer, good food, interesting people that have made a living buying and selling livestock and the smell. It is inspiring and at the same time sensory overload. If you haven't been, you should go to the sale barn at least once in your lifetime.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Meet the Meat Labels
I was having a conversation about meat labels today via Facebook with a fellow mom. I would like to disclose "some" of the problems with marketing labels. If I was a mother with no education about agriculture with my two children ramming the cart into innocent people, asking for things they don't need, and I was still trying to figure out what I am making for the next five meals, trying to remember what was on the list I left on the kitchen counter, and had to read meat labels I would be furious.
This is what I will share with you about a couple I have seen and one I have heard about.
1. Labels that read this animal was fed an all vegetarian diet. Seriously, all animals we eat except pigs and chickens are herbivores. Since most hogs and chickens are raised in confinement (for now) farmers know everything they have eaten. Which leads us to number two.
2. These animals were raised caged free - If chickens and hogs were raised caged free, there is less control on what they have eaten. The chicken label below says that this chicken was raised caged free on a vegetarian diet. So you mean to tell me they will swear that the chicken has never eaten a worm or bug. I think not. If you want caged free, I don't think you can have vegetarian also.
3. The final item I am going to mention is one I only heard of from some really great chefs in Washington DC. I do not spend as much time as I should by the beef counter. However they mentioned that beef is sometimes labeled grass fed and grain finished. Most beef in the country is grass fed and grain finished.
Please remember if the meat is in the counter it is safe to feed your family. Remember to always keep and cook meat at the proper temperatures. If you have concerns ask. It is really important to me that if you feel paying a premium for a special production technique you understand just what you are paying for - so ask questions and educate yourself.Thursday, August 30, 2012
Monsanto - an accidental conversation
I have been following the anti-Monsanto discussions from a distance. I would not consider myself well educated on the subject. Earlier this week I stumbled upon some twitter followers who are anti-Monsanto on behalf of farmers. I thought what better way to get educated then from an opposing side of any subject matter.
From the conversation I have gathered they are blaming Monsanto for stealing farms from farmers, farmer suicides, killing land,water and bees. These people are clearly upset. I ended with saying I would like to have a conversation with a farmer who used Monsanto products and has deemed them as evil. They said they hoped I would be open to hearing from them, if I ever did meet someone from that view point. And I am!
While I don't think Monsanto is trying to kill anyone or anything, I do have some unfavorable feelings about their business. One just stems from jealousy, that a group of people can develop such a tremendous seed of science and then get a patent. For a company to develop a system enabling farmers to keep their own seed they grow and produce to replant for another crop. But, it is the law and if you break it you will be punished, most likely in a very expensive way. The other BEEF I have with Monsanto comes from the day when the company merged and sent a letter to my Dad to tell him after over 30 years of selling seed for them they no longer needed his services. My Dad had sold seed corn for them since before I was born. He sold to mostly smaller farmers. He sold to a large group of smaller farmers, creating a community, held a customer appreciation day, and planted a test plot. I understand businesses grow and agronomists seemed to be a good choice for selling their product. However taking away a small dealership from a man who has sold seed for a company for so long seems a little unjust. They don't know it but they kind of lost, many of Dad's customers just started planting someone else's seed.
A few days after the above mentioned twitter conversation I received an email from a former Organic farmer who is now testifying on behalf of farmers for the Farm Bill. Through her email I believe she is holding us (farmers) all together. She is giving us all the opportunity to continue to farm and provide choices for all Americans.
From the conversation I have gathered they are blaming Monsanto for stealing farms from farmers, farmer suicides, killing land,water and bees. These people are clearly upset. I ended with saying I would like to have a conversation with a farmer who used Monsanto products and has deemed them as evil. They said they hoped I would be open to hearing from them, if I ever did meet someone from that view point. And I am!
While I don't think Monsanto is trying to kill anyone or anything, I do have some unfavorable feelings about their business. One just stems from jealousy, that a group of people can develop such a tremendous seed of science and then get a patent. For a company to develop a system enabling farmers to keep their own seed they grow and produce to replant for another crop. But, it is the law and if you break it you will be punished, most likely in a very expensive way. The other BEEF I have with Monsanto comes from the day when the company merged and sent a letter to my Dad to tell him after over 30 years of selling seed for them they no longer needed his services. My Dad had sold seed corn for them since before I was born. He sold to mostly smaller farmers. He sold to a large group of smaller farmers, creating a community, held a customer appreciation day, and planted a test plot. I understand businesses grow and agronomists seemed to be a good choice for selling their product. However taking away a small dealership from a man who has sold seed for a company for so long seems a little unjust. They don't know it but they kind of lost, many of Dad's customers just started planting someone else's seed.
A few days after the above mentioned twitter conversation I received an email from a former Organic farmer who is now testifying on behalf of farmers for the Farm Bill. Through her email I believe she is holding us (farmers) all together. She is giving us all the opportunity to continue to farm and provide choices for all Americans.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Just a conversation, an Agricultural Civil War . . .
Or is it a distraction from the enemy.
The next light bulb moment I had from the two day AgriPOWER conference was changing the conversation. I will no longer discuss in detail with the non-agriculture community my opinion of different Agriculture Practices. I am going to make an effort to explain the choices they have and in clarity and the difference between them. The conversation about the practices need to provide clarity about things that matter to the consumer and that is that ALL FOOD IS SAFE and farmers and ranchers provide choices.
I believe that as agriculturalists we confuse everyone by discussing and debating practices. There is enough room in the market for every farmer/rancher. It really isn't fair to the mom who just wants to purchase safe food for her family, for us to debate practice as if one of them is safer than the another.
My new message: All food is safe! What do you want to know about your choices?
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Are you sustainable?
I was given an opportunity to be a part of AgriPOWER that is designed and managed by Ohio Farm Bureau under the direction of Sandy Kuhn. I can't say enough good things about Sandy, she does a remarkable job, she is awesome, she changes peoples lives, she loves farmers, and she has dedicated her life to Agriculture. She invited me to sit in on social media/media/conversation training for two days. I feel like I robbed her, since I have learned so much. I have been through all of these training before and similar conferences, but with different presenters. But, sometimes things just come together for you and boy did they for me. I am going to share just one of things that came together for me at the two day event.
First I should thank everyone who participated in the conference and the 2012 - 2013 AgriPOWER family for adopting me for a couple days.
The first thing that came together for me was vocabulary. There is just so much vocabulary thrown around as it relates to Agriculture. There are words and phrases the Ag. Folks use that have not been defined so that the general public understands. Then there are media vocabulary words made for headlines that have no clear definition. I have been asked a number of times if I believe Jake and I are sustainable in Agriculture, through our feed yard and our cow/calf operation. I usually avoid the question, because I have never heard or read a clear definition of sustainable.
Finally Matt Sutton-Vermeulen showed this model called Triple Bottom Line that was developed by Freer Spreckley. This diagram was explained that to be sustainable we have to be pleasing socially, take care of the environment and be making a profit doing it.
We can have a healthy debate about if we are socially pleasing. But, really for the first time the American farmer/rancher has enemies. We have people like HSUS, which I am really sure does not want Jake and I to be operating a feed yard or owning cows. They also have a significant following. I feel that there are too many people upset with Agriculture at this time. I would say strike one!
The next conversation is about the planet and we can go on and on about what farmers/ranchers do for the planet. We build wildlife habitats, spend billions protecting water sources, redesign equipment and machinery to protect our soil and use less fuel. However we are still using our natural resources to produce crops and livestock. Socially people have a problem with many of our practices and we take blame for harming the environment. I don't believe we are using the environment more than it's intended use. However socially it is a strike two.
The profit side of things is interesting and I hope I will someday get to have a healthy conversation with agriculturalist of all types and non-agriculturalists about the profit side of the diagram. With the drought, insurance and instability of the Farm Bill profit seems to be a gray area in many ways this year. It should also be noted the above animal rights organizations and environmentalist extremists do not want to hear farmers/ranchers are making a profit. Strike three socially!
The bottom line for me is that with the rules constantly changing and society having so many unanswered questions I am going to say I am not sure we are sustainable. There I said it. Not the popular response I know, but it the honest response for the diagram above. What are your thoughts on sustainable Agriculture? Are you sustainable?
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Quilting and History channel for the day, oh my!
I've been sewing this quilt top all week. It is finally finished. After taking it apart and putting it back together. There was not supposed to be a pattern, and that sometimes is hard to do. Jake pointed out a string of reds together. I ignored him. But then Jaelin, my darling kindergartner pointed out the same pattern.
Jaelin: "oh, what happened here?"
Me: "Mommy messed up!"
Jaelin: "that's okay, it still looks good."
So I ripped that out and tried to fit the rest of the pattern together yesterday. As I was designing and sewing, I decided to watch/listen to the History Channel. The shows that were on were called Decoded. The stories investigate conspiracy theories. The one show interviewed people and discussed if there was indeed gold in Fort Knox. History Channel - Decoded The show goes on to discuss what would happen to the world and the economy if there was indeed no gold there any longer. At the end of the show they made a reference to the Wizard of Oz. I don't know if I have been living under a rock and why I haven't seen this before. I am not sure if I buy into all this, however with the references to Agriculture I thought it was worth the share for interest anyway. The real story of the Wizard of Oz
Jaelin: "oh, what happened here?"
Me: "Mommy messed up!"
Jaelin: "that's okay, it still looks good."
So I ripped that out and tried to fit the rest of the pattern together yesterday. As I was designing and sewing, I decided to watch/listen to the History Channel. The shows that were on were called Decoded. The stories investigate conspiracy theories. The one show interviewed people and discussed if there was indeed gold in Fort Knox. History Channel - Decoded The show goes on to discuss what would happen to the world and the economy if there was indeed no gold there any longer. At the end of the show they made a reference to the Wizard of Oz. I don't know if I have been living under a rock and why I haven't seen this before. I am not sure if I buy into all this, however with the references to Agriculture I thought it was worth the share for interest anyway. The real story of the Wizard of Oz
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tips for a vacation to the Beach
We just got back from a wonderful time at the beach with two other families. Some of the reasons I really wanted to go to the beach are:
1. People need to see the ocean to understand it and I wanted the girls to see it.
2. We were invited to go with two other families and that is fun.
3. I love the fact that you can stand in the ocean with the waves crashing and hear absolutely nothing.
4. A beach house with a pool is awesome.
5. I love the feeling of the beach breeze coming off the ocean.
6. I wanted some good beach pictures.
7. I like to eat lunch on the beach - like a picnic.
8. I wanted to lay in the sun on the sand and get a tan.
9. To use beach toys that have no purpose in Ohio or Nebraska, just at the beach.
10. Outdoor showers - the little ones love them and dads apparently think it is ok to allow peeing in them. In the words of the dads it washes off and we don't want to take them inside when they are all wet.
Things you must prepare yourself for when going to the beach with two other families including one baby, a toddler and a very pregnant lady.
1. SAND and the fact that babies don't have gizzards and they don't care how much sand they eat. The fact that it finds it's way to places you didn't even know you had.
2. Spending time with other people is great especially for entertaining the girls. Jacie and Jaelin took some risks and did some things because the others were. Including actually getting off the steps and into the pool and "crashing" some waves.
3. Even if the beach house pool is small the kids don't care and it still serves the purposes of 1) cooling off 2) a hangout 3) rinses sand off - not sure you are allowed to
4. I love a chair dug into the sand that fits your butt just perfect.
6. If you are really pregnant, you will be miserable no matter where you are, you mys-well be at the beach. Cassie also served as a good lifeguard from her chair.
7. Business still happens on the beach. Corn had to be bought and cattle were still being shipped.
1. People need to see the ocean to understand it and I wanted the girls to see it.
2. We were invited to go with two other families and that is fun.
3. I love the fact that you can stand in the ocean with the waves crashing and hear absolutely nothing.
4. A beach house with a pool is awesome.
5. I love the feeling of the beach breeze coming off the ocean.
6. I wanted some good beach pictures.
7. I like to eat lunch on the beach - like a picnic.
8. I wanted to lay in the sun on the sand and get a tan.
9. To use beach toys that have no purpose in Ohio or Nebraska, just at the beach.
10. Outdoor showers - the little ones love them and dads apparently think it is ok to allow peeing in them. In the words of the dads it washes off and we don't want to take them inside when they are all wet.
Things you must prepare yourself for when going to the beach with two other families including one baby, a toddler and a very pregnant lady.
1. SAND and the fact that babies don't have gizzards and they don't care how much sand they eat. The fact that it finds it's way to places you didn't even know you had.
2. Spending time with other people is great especially for entertaining the girls. Jacie and Jaelin took some risks and did some things because the others were. Including actually getting off the steps and into the pool and "crashing" some waves.
3. Even if the beach house pool is small the kids don't care and it still serves the purposes of 1) cooling off 2) a hangout 3) rinses sand off - not sure you are allowed to
 |
| How many flotation devices do you need to feel safe? |
4. I love a chair dug into the sand that fits your butt just perfect.
5. Beach pictures would be a lot easier to take without sand, the water and the beach breeze. :)
Here are a few example of the perfect beach photos I was hoping for:
 |
| Weird faces and a little breeze . . . |
 |
| Hair blowing and a father restraining a cute boy . . . |
 |
| Too much wind, blowing hair and a small adorable Landon who looks to be escaping . . . |
 |
| too much flash . . . |
 |
| running out of light and patience. |
6. If you are really pregnant, you will be miserable no matter where you are, you mys-well be at the beach. Cassie also served as a good lifeguard from her chair.
7. Business still happens on the beach. Corn had to be bought and cattle were still being shipped.
Friday, May 18, 2012
ohhh . . . for the love of beef
Ohhh . . . for the love of beef
I was reading another article about how hard it is for young people to get started in farming and ranching. These articles, comments and headlines gnaw at me.
My immediate thought was to go back in time and write a poor FFA motivational speech using cliches of hope and faith. Specifically the one that says you will miss 100% of the shots you never take.
However my FFA days are long over and I am too angry to write a motivational speech. This topic needs to be covered by more of a get off your butt and go after what you want speech. There has never been a time where it was easy to get started in farming and ranching. Every generation has made sacrifices to get started. I am not sure I would find it easy to pack up my family in a conestoga wagon and travel several hundred miles with a document from the government to stake claim to a piece of land.
It is time to redefine family farming. Jake and I would like to purchase a ranch a piece of ground to run cows and calves. However the bank won't loan us that kind of money (yet). So, we are building assets in other ways.
Things change! Time to be creative. What you really want may be a journey (so Jake and I tell ourselves daily). If you can have what you dream of today, your dream must not big enough.
One of the best accidental things I ever did was marry someone that has the same passion, that is my friend and my business partner. Jake and I agree on most of what we want our future to look like. If you are lucky enough to share the same dream as your life partner - Congratulations!
Gather your Skills - Jake spent the younger part of his life gathering skills (accidently of course). He worked for other farmers, he built houses where he learned building, concrete, electric and pluming skills. Jake had a wonderful welding teacher where he learned basic welding and fabrication skills. These skills have saved us an undetermined amount of money and helped increase our assets.
Find Mentors - people running any successful business and people that have at one point failed. I wish I had a list of people that have helped us. Jake and I should make a list as we often sit and think about the long list of people that have helped us learn and make progress toward our dream.
Great Bankers - preferably with one foot in agriculture and the other in the banking business. This banker should also understand what drives you, has clear understanding of your goals, has the words to tell you not now and keep working and the guts to tell you hell no.
Quiet possibly the hardest part is sacrificing some things that Americans in their 30's have like a really nice house, luxury cars, expensive vacations and down time.
Dream Bigger, Sacrifice and Pray - Anything is Possible no matter how old you are!
I was reading another article about how hard it is for young people to get started in farming and ranching. These articles, comments and headlines gnaw at me.
My immediate thought was to go back in time and write a poor FFA motivational speech using cliches of hope and faith. Specifically the one that says you will miss 100% of the shots you never take.
However my FFA days are long over and I am too angry to write a motivational speech. This topic needs to be covered by more of a get off your butt and go after what you want speech. There has never been a time where it was easy to get started in farming and ranching. Every generation has made sacrifices to get started. I am not sure I would find it easy to pack up my family in a conestoga wagon and travel several hundred miles with a document from the government to stake claim to a piece of land.
It is time to redefine family farming. Jake and I would like to purchase a ranch a piece of ground to run cows and calves. However the bank won't loan us that kind of money (yet). So, we are building assets in other ways.
Things change! Time to be creative. What you really want may be a journey (so Jake and I tell ourselves daily). If you can have what you dream of today, your dream must not big enough.
One of the best accidental things I ever did was marry someone that has the same passion, that is my friend and my business partner. Jake and I agree on most of what we want our future to look like. If you are lucky enough to share the same dream as your life partner - Congratulations!
Gather your Skills - Jake spent the younger part of his life gathering skills (accidently of course). He worked for other farmers, he built houses where he learned building, concrete, electric and pluming skills. Jake had a wonderful welding teacher where he learned basic welding and fabrication skills. These skills have saved us an undetermined amount of money and helped increase our assets.
Find Mentors - people running any successful business and people that have at one point failed. I wish I had a list of people that have helped us. Jake and I should make a list as we often sit and think about the long list of people that have helped us learn and make progress toward our dream.
Great Bankers - preferably with one foot in agriculture and the other in the banking business. This banker should also understand what drives you, has clear understanding of your goals, has the words to tell you not now and keep working and the guts to tell you hell no.
Quiet possibly the hardest part is sacrificing some things that Americans in their 30's have like a really nice house, luxury cars, expensive vacations and down time.
Dream Bigger, Sacrifice and Pray - Anything is Possible no matter how old you are!
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