If you smoke you choke if you booze you lose

Some of my fondest memories, of course, involve farming. While my dad was a teacher, he also worked on the family farm. On that farm there was a rental house. I could not tell you the name of the couple that lived in the house, but I clearly remember that they were very nice and gave me treats when I would go farm with dad. One day while I was “helping” my dad on the farm, I saw the husband smoking. I was probably 5 years old, I marched over to their house knocked on the door and informed them, “If you smoke you choke if you booze you lose.”

I have no idea where this came from and I am sure my dad was mortified, though maybe a bit proud, when they told him what I had said. This is my first memory of being an advocate for what I thought was right. How do we learn to be an advocate at such a young age? I would be remiss if I didn’t say my upbringing played a huge part in how I became the person I am today. When I was 5 I was on an anti-smoking and anti-boozing mission...apparently.  

I think my real calling has more to do with agriculture, but I had a funny start. Growing up in agriculture and in 4-H and FFA and raising livestock prepared me for my adult role in agriculture. I think we are all constantly figuring out the different ways we contribute to society. Finding our voice and continually learning how to effectively communicate is an ongoing process.

I feel very confident that if I was not a cute little child, my dad’s tenant would not have reacted in the same laughing manner. Today, as an adult, I have learned when to say what I believe and know to be true. Other times, though, it is more important to listen and hold back to be a more effective part of the conversation. Sometime we can be most influential when we say nothing at all. So, whether you are five or 85, stand up for what you believe in and be a courageous communicator.

Campbell Parker and Cattle!

Friends of ours Tom and Susie Turner, live in a neighboring county and raise shorthorn cattle. We were going over for dinner and of course the kids love to see their cattle. When you have livestock there is always something that needs done. When people come to our house they usually know they will be put to work or do something that they would not normally do when being invited for dinner by a friend. This is something that is very common among livestock owners. We go prepared with muck boots and work clothes.


This particular day our friends were putting the final touches on a portable shed for the baby calves out in the pasture. The tractor drug the shed out into one of the fields, to provide shelter for the young calves.

One of the local FFA chapters happened to be visiting too. There were judging a few groups of heifers (female calves) to prepare for their upcoming FFA judging contest. They place the heifers in order from best to less desirable. They talk about why they made the placements they did and then listed to Dr. Turner who happens to be the retired Ohio State University Livestock Judging Team Coach. He shared with them some tips and pointers.

Campbell got right in and determined which heifer she liked the best. Ear tag 91 was Campbell’s instant pal. Parker liked the cattle but he seemed to be more interested in the 4 wheeler and figuring out how to open and close all the gates.

What better way to spend a Sunday evening on a spring day than sharing it with your family and friends looking and talking about agriculture. We ended the evening eating lasagna eventually then back out to make the evening rounds checking the calves.