Tag Archives: agvocacy

Fall Friday

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Today is definitely a fall day. It’s cool, windy and a great day for hot cocoa…and it reminds me that in a few short weeks, hunting season begins!

For those new to my blog, last spring we had a TERRIBLE problem with deer in our yard. We aren’t sure on the exact number of deer that we were unintentionally feeding/housing, but we do know that about 180 of them died in our yard. Game and Fish estimate that approximately 10% die in a normal year, and every time we called them, they claimed there wasn’t a problem here. So, if 180 dying was 10% of our number of deer, well, you can do the math, right?

Needless to say, these deer are a nuisance and a danger to our cattle herd. And I do what I can to relieve the problem.

This year, we started out early with the special youth season. Two does have already been culled from the large number of deer already hanging around the area. Here’s my niece’s take on her successful hunting experience:

We (my dad, brother and I) were on our way to stake out at my aunt’s house. We were on the road to the south of my aunt’s house, when my dad said, “There are three deer in that field. They’re all does.” So we kept on driving and my dad asked me if I wanted to try to get one of them.
I said, “I don’t know will the farmer let us?” We went and asked the farmer if we could try to get one of the three deer. And being as kind as they were, they said, “Yes.”
I was so excited I was going to get my first deer!!!!!!
I loaded up my gun than headed to the field they were in. When we had walked to where we needed to be my dad went first to check it out and make sure the deer were still there.
Then so we weren’t seen we started crawling on our hands and knees through the cut wheat. We crawled about 75 yds to a haybale and check out if the deer were still there. My dad spoted them after a few minutes and so slowly on our hands and knees crawled forward. After crawling for 200 yds, my dad saw them at 153 yds and so I sighted up and went in for the kill.
I aimed at the first one I saw. I was so excited it was finaly here it was my turn to get a deer and I was ready to shoot my deer. I told my
dad which one I was aiming at and he said, “Whenever you’re ready, fire.”

So at first I was pulling the trigger slowly and then I got impatient and just pulled the trigger. I hit it and I was so excited! I was grinning from ear to ear. My dad told me, “You just barely nicked the shoulder blade nice shot.” And I got the biggest of the three!

My niece's first hunt, and a successful one at that!

And just for those that are wondering, yes, my sister and her husband are an avid hunting family and this doe will go a long way to fill their freezer with great food for the winter months! For those that hunt, but find that their freezer is too full to take all the meat, there is a great program in the state called, “Feeding Families, Meating Needs.” Check it out here!

I hope to be adding my own successful hunting story in just a few short weeks!


					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
How NOT to Share Your Views

			
						

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I had an opportunity to talk to some “urban” folk while on our trip to Hutchinson, KS, to speak at the #140Conf Small Town. It’s trips like this that make you realize just how many misconceptions are out there.


It was an eye-opening experience for me…but it’s one that I intend to relive and learn from, as often as possible.


First of all, the people at the conference weren’t necessarily “rural,” even if they were connected to a small town. And remember, the term “small town” is definitely relative. I would consider small anything less than 1,000, but that’s my experience. Some consider less than 100,000 small…I consider that a big chunk of our state! 🙂


Anyway, the fact of the matter is that I was in amongst a group of people that didn’t necessarily have farm connections. And some of my conversations made that very obvious.


For example, I was speaking to a wonderful woman from New York, who loved her local farmers and local farmer’s market, considered herself a vegetarian and enjoyed getting fish and organic eggs from happy, free chickens there. (Now, she did clarify that she probably actually qualified as a “pescetarian,” or someone who eats fish.)


When I tell people about my trip, their first response tends to be, “Well, did you tell her she’s wrong?”


No. No, I did not.


First of all, we were having a wonderful conversation, and I was telling her about my farm and our cows and how we raise things here. We were listening to each other and connecting, not debating.


Second, her reasoning wasn’t scientific, it was emotional. She didn’t say that her eggs were healthier, or that cattle were evil, or that I was destroying the world. Nope, she simply said she liked her farmer’s market and she liked happy, free chickens. How could I argue with that?


I guess I could have told her that chickens that are free, are rarely happy, unless they happen to be one of the leaders of the group. I could have explained how most birds, left to their own devices, will peck and claw and scratch at the weaker, smaller birds, until the bird dies. (You realize it’s called the “pecking order” for a reason, right?) I could have explained how some farms need to put little blinders on their birds when they’re all in one pen, so that they leave each other alone and don’t kill each other. I could have, but I didn’t.


Why?


Sometimes the soapbox isn’t the place to stand. Sometimes you make better connections, better relationships and better impressions by simply listening, learning and using the knowledge gained in the future. And it’s easier to hear down in the crowd, not up on a soapbox.


And maybe, just maybe, the next time she thinks about beef and farms and happy, free chickens, she’ll remember our conversation and remember another mother, just like her, that’s doing the best to raise her children the same as her. And maybe she’ll contact me through social media and ask the questions that she has about her food.


And that’s enough for me.

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Fish Out of Water

			
						

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About a week ago, I spent a few days on a road trip with my good friend, and fellow Prairie Mama, Katie. We left our families on a Sunday evening and drove a few miles to this place called Hutchinson, KS. (And by few miles, I mean, like 700 of them.)


Why would we do such a thing? It was all in the name of sharing our story and spreading our circles.


You see, Katie and I think a lot alike on certain topics. And we’re both passionate about certain things, like our family, our faith and agriculture. And yet, we are very much so different. Katie is a stunning, tall blonde, who is an experienced traveler and can fit in anywhere, including the fields of North Dakota and the boardrooms of California. I’m, well, I’m more corn-fed and am a bit timid when it comes to spreading my wings and venturing out to places unknown.


But our trip was amazing…and it made me realize so many things (I’ll get into the details in a later post).


Like:


    

  • It’s good for the heart and soul to get away and laugh like a teenager again.
    • 

  • The most amazing support you can find may not even be in your own backyard…well, unless you consider the internet your backyard…or a Starbucks in Hutchinson, KS.
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  • The most accomplished of speakers can spin words of wonder, and yet you will never hear a single message that they are trying to get across to you. And yet, the most quiet and nervous of speakers can knock you over by bearing their heart to you.
    • 

  • When I think space exploration, I think Hutchinson, KS. Doesn’t everyone?
    • 



The Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, KS, was truly out of this world!


 


 


    

  • The man in the Garmin does not like bridges. He makes us float over water.
    • 

  • There are amazing Tweeps all the way from Aberdeen, SD, to Hutchinson, KS, that can give you great tips, like when the speed limit changes or how fast you can drive before risking a ticket.
    • 

  • If you need to prepare too much to tell your story, then it’s not your story to tell.
    • 

  • Perhaps the Police Surveillance Van #4 would be more undercover if the van did not use the network titled, “Police Surveillance Van #4.” Just sayin’.
    • 

  • I love sharing my story.
    • 



And I learned this all thanks to a late-night Twitter conversation with a gal that only lives an hour from me, but I probably would have never met, had it not been for social media. And we traveled to a social media conference. Coincidence? I don’t think I believe in them any more.

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Why I Do It

			
						

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Just moments ago, I finished speaking at the #140conf Small Town in Hutchinson, KS. I was terrified, but so grateful that I did it!


Here’s the gist of what I said…


There is a story to be told, but it’s YOUR story. If you don’t know it, no one else can share it. So many times, we look at our lives and say, “I don’t have time for this. I don’t have time for that.”


Are you kidding me?


No one HAS time for anything. We must MAKE time. A minute here, a few minutes there…it’ll happen.


I just have to thank my good friend, Katie, for encouraging me to be here. I would like to thank all my rural friends and those that encourage my story…and I would ESPECIALLY like to thank all those that have made it possible for me to be here, by taking care of my family.


I’ll post more later, but I just had to make a shout out and thank some peeps!

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Out of the Darkness

			
						

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This weekend, a local community (like many others) will be hosting its first Out of the Darkness community walk in LaMoure on Saturday, September 18, starting with registration at the LaMoure American Legion from 1 to 2 p.m. So what’s the purpose? Does North Dakota really need to worry about this?


The answer is a resounding, “YES!” Did you know that North Dakota ranks 11th in the nation in suicide deaths per capita? Did you know that suicide is the leading cause of death due to injury in farmers in North Dakota? With the age range of 40-49 being the most affected?


And although farmers are not the sole issue here (really, every family that is touched by suicide is dramatically affected), farming is a stressful job. Your days and your schedules are not set by anyone, most of your livelihood is controlled by things that are out of your control. And a good year can be swiped away in a minute.


But there is help…for everyone. There are hotlines and websites and friends and family, all willing to help through the tough times. It seems the number one response to a suicide is, “Why?” And although it’s tough to swallow, many times the answer is never truly known.


So today, I ask that you take a look at your friends and family members, reach out to those that are struggling and lend a hand (or just an ear) to those that are in need. And if you’re in need, we’re here for you.


Plant your own seed of hope.


Plant a seed of hope...let others know you care.

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Farmer Friday…and a winner!

			
						

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This morning has been an interesting one indeed…Boss Man and I moved cattle from the pasture where the plane crashed, to home. It’s less than a 2 mile trek, but there’s corn in between…lots of corn. And cows tend to like corn. (In fact, contrary to what some would have you to believe, cows do tend to prefer corn over grass, but these gals get both!)


The problem is, that cows, when allowed to move on their own, can destroy corn, and destroyed corn makes unhappy neighbors.



 


So off we were, moving cows, staying calm and everything going smoothly…until…(well, you KNEW there’d be an until, right?)


Let’s just say that Boss Man isn’t the greatest at communicating exactly where it is that he wanted me to be placed. His response was something along the lines of, “Well, let’s see how they go.” Which means??? Yeah, I don’t really know either…which was the problem.


But we made it home, I found out that our suburban can act a lot like a border collie and I’m still talking to my husband. What more can a girl ask for?


But now for the announcement you are all really looking for:


The winner of the new Crock Pot and prize package is…Rita Luri! Congratulations! Please send me your mailing information, so that I can get your package to you in the mail! 🙂

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Why Social Media?

			
						

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A few weeks ago, I was reading a newspaper when I read a letter to the editor about the downfall of society occurring at the hands of social media. At first I dismissed it as a lash-out from someone who kept getting rejected from Facebook friends, but then I realized that even I have family members that question the importance of social media. They wonder, “Why?”


Let me explain why it’s important to ME.


1) As a stay-at-home mom, I find myself needing adult interaction. Yet, living on the farm and spending a lot of time at doctor’s appointments and what-not makes it difficult to have actual playdates, coffee breaks and other get-togethers. Through my blog, Facebook and/or Twitter, I can chat with a friend for a minute or two, and feel caught-up in the world.


2) I have met some AMAZING people through social media…and some of them I’ve never seen in person! In fact, one of my dearest friends I met through Twitter, and only met her in person a year ago (she only lives an hour away!). She’s one of my Prairie Mama companions and a true friend, a sounding board, a ball of energy and an amazing mother. She has taught me that quality can mean so much more than quantity…and when we get together with our other Prairie Mama Sarah, we can spend 30 minutes and cover every topic from labor and delivery, to breastfeeding in awkward places, to the role that social media can play in connecting agriculture to the consumer. We may not see each other often enough, but I’m grateful every day that I met her through social media!


Rural mothers...fast friends.


3) I can connect through social media. It’s amazing to see the connections in action. For example…imagine a busy mom in the city, hearing all this garbage about “industrial” ag and how our food isn’t produced in ways that will be sustainable for years to come and how it’s HER fault for not making wiser choices at the market. Since she’s only hearing the story from someone behind a desk a few hundred miles away, what else will she believe? But now, thanks to other means of communication, she can locate a farmer’s market, contact a local grower, or talk to someone who may be hundreds of miles away, but is actually INVOLVED in agriculture, and ask the questions that she has.


She can find out from farms, like ours, that our cattle spend the summer in their pastures, but winter where there’s better protection from the elements; she can talk to farmers that raise pigs, and find out how their barns can be climate-controlled; she can speak with a farmer that raises chickens, and find out how their facilities keep the birds healthy and safe. All of that, without ever having to leave her home. But better yet, she can leave her home knowing a farmer, and can put a face to the product…and she can find a local farm to visit.


She can research the different farming practices, talk to different types of farms, and decide for herself what types of products she wants to provide for her family. She can be an educated consumer…and a connected one.


4) I’m connecting to family members that I had lost touch with…and classmates as well. And in my opinion, anytime you connect with an old friend, it’s a good thing.


5) There is strength in numbers. When I type something, and I know that someone else agrees, or feels strongly enough to disagree, at least I’m able to have those conversations with as many people as I like. And sometimes it’s comforting to know that when you’re going through a tough situation, that others have your back.


I could go on and on about how thankful I am to have these opportunities today…how has social media made a difference in your life?

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Hunk of Meat Monday – Gooseberry Patch Recipe #2

			
						

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It is Labor Day, our first week of school is done, a fun weekend was celebrated and here we are…back at Monday.


I promised last week that there was going to be a special surprise added to my “Celebrate a Year of Blogging” celebration, so here it is: added to the prize package is a Smart Pot 5 1/2 qt. Crock Pot and a Gooseberry Patch Slow Cooker cookbook!!! With the crock pot craze of late, and with school starting and activities picking up, I thought that a crock pot would be a perfect addition to my celebration! Be sure to go to this blog post, and post a comment…or go to Facebook and “like” Wag’n Tales!


Celebrate a year with me! Win a Crock Pot!


I know that I L-O-V-E my crock pot…and I know many of you do as well! This crock pot is great! It cooks to your desired time, and then switches to keep warm! As soon as my old crock pot decides to kick the bucket, I’m getting myself one of these babies!


Well, enough about that, on to my Hunk of Meat Monday recipe!


Easy Cheesy Potatoes & Sausage


All ya need!


Ingredients:


    

  • 6 potatoes, peeled and cubed
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  • 1 lb. smoked pork sausage, cubed
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  • 16-oz. pkg. pasteurized process cheese spread, cubed
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  • 1/2 c. butter, melted
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  • 1/2 c. milk
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I left my sausage in bigger chunks, that way it's easier to pick out for George.


Mix all ingredients together and transfer to a greased 10X8 baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for one hour, or until potatoes are tender. (I would suggest stirring occasionally.) Makes 6 servings.


All done!


Cost for this meal:


    

  • Potatoes – $1.77
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  • Sausage – $1.50
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  • Cheese spread – $2.50
    • 

  • Total – $5.77 – and since it makes 6 servings, that’s less than $1 per serving!
    • 



 Hunk of Meat Mondays

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Thankful Thursday: One Year and Counting!

			
						

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That’s right…I’ve been blogging for a whole year. I started this, after some encouragement from a dear friend, thinking that it would be a good way to let off steam, show my farm and talk about my boys. Ha! That didn’t quite work the way I planned, but oh well.


Future Farmer
EJ already knows he has big shoes to fill!


Boy, what a year it’s been! Last year, I talked about harvest, I talked about deer, I talked about school. I was frustrated that we didn’t know what was wrong with George, we traveled a LOT for his medical issues and we spent quite a bit of time in the hospital. And now, here we are…


We finally have a name, our days in the hospital will hopefully be fewer, but at least we now know what we’re dealing with and where to go from here. Our farm is still here, even when Mother Nature threw us some curveballs, and we have not be regulated out of existence…yet.


Life, as I know it, is pretty good. Even with as crazy as it gets. Plus, teaming up with my friends at The Real Farmwives of America and Friends has also been an AMAZING experience!


I never dreamed in a year’s time, that my blog would end up with almost 20,000 hits. That’s amazing to me. And I thank each and every one of you, for coming along for the ride.


I don’t know where the next year will take us, but we’re on our way!


And to celebrate the past year…I have a bit of a quiz and a giveaway for you! So here it goes:


Answer this question in the comment section below to enter: What is your favorite post on my blog? (Hint: There is no right answer!) Or why do you come back?


Want more entries? “Like” Wag’n Tales on Facebook. All Wag’n Tales friends on Facebook will be automatically entered!


Wondering what you’re winning? Well, it’ll be a really cool prize pack! Including a Fullerton Cookbook, an Ag Book of the Day or three, a Farmers Feed Families button down shirt and more! Winner will be drawn on September 9…so be sure to enter right away! (And pass it on to your friends!)



					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Tuesday Farm Update

			
						

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So, during all this craziness, I actually got my Flipcam out again and shot some video of Wheat Harvest 2011. It’s not my best work, but at this point, I’m surprised it’s not just a video of me in the fetal position in the corner sucking my thumb and clicking my heels, saying, “There’s no place like home.” I think you get my point.


Enjoy!