During the third week of March somebody decided to honor farmers via National Ag Week, March 15 to 20 with the 20th designated as Ag Day. This is one way we can stop to realize and recognize the impact of agriculture all around us. Whether you live in Iowa, Florida or Montana the agricultural community is a well networked, smart group of technology innovators. They work to feed the world.
At Lessing-Flynn Advertising we are fortunate to have deep roots in an agricultural client mix. In these economic times (which I’m sick of hearing), we have clients that are rockin’ the house because of their smarts that help the farmer not only survive – but to thrive!
Our clients are introducing products that impact the foods we eat each day. They keep the cost of operations down by helping farmers get in and out of the fields faster, smarter and more efficiently than any other time in history. Our clients are teaching and sharing their knowledge.
Agriculture is so much more than the production of corn, beans, pigs and cows. Emerging technologies have allowed the agriculture industry to find better ways to create energy for food and fuel, environmental programs to protect the soil and water and youth programs to develop hard working individuals. All of this adds up to a huge contribution to our society.
Growing up on a farm in rural Iowa, we had a few cows, some show horses and steers, plus a few barn cats and dogs. We grew corn, beans and made hay. I embraced the 4-H program to its fullest and credit many of the life skills I use today to the sewing workshops, livestock projects, dog obedience classes, record book keeping and furniture repair activities my peers and I excelled at. What I love most about 4-H is no matter if you live in town or on the farm, you can partake in activities that will shape your character to impact the rest of your life.
I once met a mother that was annoyed with the fact that her kids thought chicken came from a bag. She recognized she had to do something. This mother enrolled her kids in 4-H, got them some broilers, kept them at her grandma’s farm and drove her kids from town before and after school each day to do chores. Now really, can you imagine the inconvenience, yet the determination these parents just added to their already busy activity schedule? In the long run, the kids learned responsibility, dedication, animal stewardship and pride in raising Grand Champions at the Iowa State Fair (no small task I assure you.)
I encourage you to look around where you live and realize the ways agriculture impacts you. Whether it’s the green hat-wearing farmer in the single cab pickup that now totes a Blackberry, or the child walking out to the barn to do chores before school, or the engineer headed into his office to design the next tool to put food on your table faster, cheaper, and smarter – say thank you. Thank them for their contribution to America, to the world and to you and your family.
Author: Bellana Putz
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nicely written Bellana! Thank you!