I am “Ag Proud”

The question about why I’m proud to be in agriculture is a tough one. Pride is not the first word that comes to me when I think about working in agriculture… I think that is more passion. I stumbled into agriculture by accident really, thinking I would get experience at a farm publications company and move on, but the sense of community I found was so strong, and the farmers and all I talked to so incredible that I ended up making it my career.

Another passion for me is communications. I find a lot of satisfaction in telling the stories that can make a difference on the farm by shining a small light on the practices that were making a difference on their farm. Over time, I had farmers families tell me how much they enjoyed the stories I had written or that the photos I had taken on their farms had a prized place in their home. I realized that I had become a part of that community of such integrity and caring, and that gave me a sense of pride as well as humility.

It became clear to me, that I was a tiny piece of the effort that provides the food for our families, communities and the world. That’s something that still leaves me in awe. Granted I don’t grow the food or fiber, but I think the ability to share the stories of the farmers who do and the scientists who develop the next wave of high producing products is a gift – not the sort of talent-based gift people talk about, but a unique experience that was opened for me.

Through my job in PR and through my other passion of travel, I’ve found myself able to talk to people across the US and around the globe about their contributions to feeding & clothing themselves and others. Wow. What a thing to be honored with, honored with the possibility of sharing that story whether it is with the masses through magazines or through personal story-telling… I feel a sense of pride there.

Reality is though, I was lucky enough to walk into agriculture. Not sure this city girl would have ever been smart enough to set myself on this course.