Pork and Passion

I am on my fifth week of interning with the National Pork Board and I wouldn’t trade what I get to do for the world. At first being eight hours away from home was a really hard adjustment, but you begin to realize that people involved in the swine industry make any place you are at feel like home.

That is why I am so happy to be doing what I am doing this summer, pigs always bring me back to home and what I am most passionate about. Growing up raising and showing pigs has instilled in me that passion that I have today. What I enjoy most is giving back to an industry that has given so much to me.

Enjoying my summer internship with one of my fellow interns!

I was able to experience my first World Pork Expo this past week and was truly blessed to be able to serve pork producers. Even if that meant handing out brat burgers to all the swine show exhibitors, it may seem small but to me it is so much more. Serving America’s pork producers is an honor. I understand the amount of time, work and dedication that goes into raising and caring for pigs. Giving back to the farmers whose job is to feed the world on a daily basis is a feeling that is indescribable.

Recently, I had the opportunity to go on a video shoot featuring war veterans who are real pig farmers of America. If you want to talk about people that have served their country in more than one way, these are the people you want to meet. I was able to listen to them share their stories about the war and the military, but also their sincere passion and dedication for raising pigs. Coincidentally, those two things go hand in hand. It takes a great amount of discipline and adaptation to challenges to be in the military, similarly, pig farming has a lot of the same key factors. These farmers took sincere pride that they were able to serve their country in more than one way by not only defending it, but by feeding it.

Outside washing pigs with my dad and Jenna.

The satisfaction of what I have been able to experience so far this summer has simply come from hearing the stories of what America’s hog farmers have done to make the pork industry even better than the day before. It brings me back to home every time. Working in the barn, processing piglets, feeding the sows, and yes even cleaning out the pens on a hot summer day. I’m so glad I found my passion in pork and serving real pig farmers of America.

5 things I learned from NAFB

This past week I attended the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) conference in Kansas City, Missouri. This conference opened my eyes in many ways. I had the opportunity to meet different people within the farm broadcasting and agriculture industry and learned a lot about others and myself in the process. These are the five things I took away from the NAFB conference.

1. I have the best boss
   

   Gale and I at NAFB! (Photo credit: Taylor Truckey)

Gale Cunningham’s unceasing dedication to FFA and 4-H clubs is just the beginning of the many contributions he has made to the youth in both Illinois and Indiana. Gale does not work as a radio personality, but he works as a passionate advocate for the agriculture industry. This was apparent to me when I began to observe the way Gale interviews 4-Her’s as well as other professionals in agriculture. Gale cares about each and every one of the people he interviews and his goal is to provide content that will allow listeners to be excited and encouraged by the industry they represent.

2. Farm broadcasters are a family

Farm broadcasting is different than any broadcasting I have witnessed. As farm broadcasters, we have a responsibility to deliver the most up-to-date information regarding the markets and worldwide agriculture news. This past week I saw the support of professionals in the industry who were both young and old supporting one another and offering advice. During the banquets we attended you could tell how supportive everyone was when a broadcaster won an award or scholarship. In the world today, that compassion, generosity, and humbleness is hard to come by these days.

3. Be fearless
   

   RFDTV interviewing at NAFB!

When Gale hands you a microphone and tells you to “get after it”, it is in your best interest to get after it. At the NAFB conference, they have this event called Trade Talk. There are multiple agricultural companies there for broadcasters to interview. Some of these companies include Dow Agro-Sciences, Becks Hybrids, National Pork Board and many other agriculture businesses. Approaching these companies was intimidating to me at first. But as I began interviewing I slowly began to become more comfortable. Farm broadcasting requires you to break out of your shell. To talk to people, you must be fearless and be confident in yourself.

4. Network. Network. Network.

If there is one thing that NAFB taught me, it is that you can never know enough people. The agriculture industry is filled with opportunity. Agriculture is a field that is so broad and exciting as it revolutionizes from year to year. The more you can learn from others, the better off you are. What I took from NAFB was to communicate! Communicating with others in the agriculture industry could lead to an opportunity to learn, get an internship, and ultimately a job.

5. The future is looking bright

I had the opportunity to meet so many outstanding agricultural communication students from multiple universities. These universities included Ohio State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and many others. I made really good friends with two girls; one was from Ohio State, and the other was from Iowa State. It was so inspiring to meet two girls that were just as passionate and interested in the agriculture industry as I was. We were able to share ideas and what our future career goals and aspirations are. I was encouraged to know these girls were going into the same industry I was and were so open to new ideas. This experience reassured me that advocating for the agriculture industry shows a promising future!

Why I am Tired of the Word Sustainable

The word sustainable…do you even know what that word means? To be honest, I still don’t completely know what the word means myself. I am currently taking two classes that focus on “sustainability” yet the two courses define the word in two totally different ways.

The definition of sustainability from my TSM 311 Class.

My TSM 311 class, Humanity in the Food Web, defines it as fulfilling the three categories of environmentally-friendly, economically-friendly, as well as socially. If a situation fulfills and supports those three categories, then it can be considered a sustainable resource.

The various meanings of sustainable from my Natural Resource and Environmental Science class.

My Introduction to Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES 100) class views it much differently. In this class, it is openly said that sustainability is a hard word to define because it is used in so many different ways. It was defined four different ways! There is the sustainability of resources, sustainability of an ecosystem, sustainability development, and sustainable growth.

So here are two classes that spend a whole week talking about the word sustainable, and I still have yet to know even what the word is supposed to mean. That is exactly why I am tired of hearing the word sustainable.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the term sustainable as being “able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed.” This means that a system is not necessarily declining, yet it is not building. So simply maintaining what already exists. Sustainability is not improving nor destroying a production system; it is a form of mediocrity.

So why would a farmer want to maintain a C average when it can be an A or A+? It doesn’t make sense to “sustain” a system that is already depleted. The goal is to improve that system to produce the highest quality product in the best environment.

When I think of a word that could more accurately describe this, I think of regenerating for the future. The term regenerative agriculture can best be defined as improving overall soil quality and health to strengthen a system and the outcome of the product. Farmers are looking for systems that can be resilient and regenerate.

Drainage ditch after heavy rainfall. As you can see, the water is crystal clear.

A prime example of this is a system’s soil fertility. This past summer, June rains were damaging to overall crop production. There was an evident deficiency in nitrogen and phosphate levels. In our farm operation, I began to notice something. If you look at the picture on the left, you will see that the water draining in the ditch is crystal clear. In these situations, you will often see unclear cloudy water, due to soil erosion and nitrogen and phosphate run-off. The reason the water in this picture is clear is because efforts were made to improve the soil by using no-till methods (like cover crops) and the addition of many essential elements. This prevents the soil from eroding after a heavy rainfall and helps it absorb and utilize rainfall for crop production.

Take into consideration that our farming system did not start out this way; it took many years to improve the overall health and quality of the soil. It has paid off and will continue to pay off as it regenerates.

Regenerative agriculture is a term that portrays innovation and advancement for the future. Sustainable is a word of mediocrity that society has adapted and deceived themselves into thinking is something that we should strive for and is ideal. Personally, I want to be better than average, and I think advocates for the agriculture industry would agree with me.

When I asked my dad what he thought of the word, he left me with this quote. “I don’t want to sustain my farm; I want to build it.” So let’s move beyond sustaining—let’s build for the future of the agriculture industry.

 

Watch the Corn Pop up in Rows

This summer I have had the opportunity to be a summer intern at WYXY Classic 99.1. That means living in Champaign throughout the summer, and not to say that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed every single second of it, but this summer I have really missed home.

What have I missed the most about not being at home this summer? When I think of being home in Indiana during the summer, I think of corn above my head on both sides of the county roads and walking pigs out in the yard and the best week of the summer, the county fair.

When people say Indiana is nothing but cornfields, I have to say I agree and I wouldn’t want it to be any other way. Growing up on a two thousand acre grain farm is a lifestyle that I have grown to love, appreciate and cherish. From the time I have been very young to where I am today.

I specifically can remember a time in the summer when my sister and I were very young; we pulled two corn stocks from the field next to our house and used them as swords against one another. Jenna who was two years younger and about three years old at the time, kicked my butt and knocked me straight on the ground; she has been beating me at pretty much everything ever since!

Another time, when I was about ten years old, I absolutely loved to drive the four-wheeler around in the yard. Well a ten-year-old on a four-wheeler can be scary thought especially if anyone has ever driven with me before. It was in early July and it was dark and I was still out riding the four-wheeler. I lost control of the wheel and ended up knocking out a few rows of corn in dad’s field. To say dad was just a little mad at me would be an understatement. I guess at ten-years-old I didn’t realize necessarily how much a bag of seed cost and how much money it took to plant a high-yielding field of corn until I was way older.

Even heading to the county fairs in the summer, yes I remember those early morning trips loading the pigs and riding with Jenna and dad in the dually, but on those early peaceful mornings into the Boone County Fairgrounds throughout the week of the fair, what I remembered most was driving on county roads, with the windows rolled down listening to country music and being surrounded by tall rows of corn on both sides of me.

Once I got to college, learning about corn seemed to become even more important to me. I learned so much all within my freshman year. I was able to talk with my dad about important topics such as GMOs, drought stress, cost of production, how the markets affect corn production, disease and pest control and probably most importantly, cover crops. All of these topics have allowed me to understand how to produce a high-yielding and high quality corn product.

Corn is not only a driving force for the world’s food production, but it has been a large part of who I am and how I’ve grown up. When I think of home, I miss watching those Indiana sunsets and the sun set just beneath the fields of corn. It is just a small piece of home that will always stay with me wherever I go. Watching the corn pop up in rows.

Day 15: God has given me the privilege to be alive

For the last two years, I have grown to appreciate God’s gift of living on this Earth. We are not guaranteed when our last breath in this world will be, so we must make the most of it. Appreciate the time you have, and live for those who have gone to a greater place because of God’s grace.

About a year and a half ago we lost someone that meant so much to us as a family and as a community. Cody Scott Richardson, worked for my dad and he also was a full-time fireman at Zionsville Fire Department. He was someone my dad viewed like a son. He cherished him so much for his hard work and his spirit.

I remember the day I got a call saying I needed to go home immediately. I rushed home and quickly ran out to the barn to find Seth, who works for my dad, frantically waving his arms for the ambulances and police to arrive at the right place. I ran behind the barn only to find my dad in the tractor holding Cody in his arms crying. I heard someone say he wasn’t going to make it, and in that very moment I realized how a life can be taken away in just a second. Cody was only twenty-six years old, and died of a sudden heart attack. At his funeral they played the song, “The Dance”, by Garth Brooks. I don’t think I have ever seen my dad cry that much, but we knew that Cody was in a better place celebrating a new dance of life with his creator.

Right before I attended the University of Illinois. We lost another person that had her whole life ahead of her. My second cousin, Cheyenne, was planning on taking a semester off then attending college to major in something pertaining to agriculture. Like me, she had just recently graduated from high school in Ohio. She was only eighteen years old when she was killed in a car accident. She was in an induced coma for nearly two weeks when she passed. Visiting her in the hospital, it personally took a toll on me because she was my age. She didn’t get to experience college or having a family and kids in the future. But, when she passed there was a peace that the Lord was in her heart as she often wrote inspirational verses in her room and proclaimed her faith. Her smile was so contagious and she was always happy even when she was going through a hard time, she could always manage to smile!

It is crazy to think about how young someone is when their life can suddenly be taken from them. I’ve sat and have thought about that for a long time, and God has truly blessed me with this life. It is not guaranteed, it is a privilege and a honor. Because there are no guarantees in this life, I want to live life to the fullest. Choosing to major in Agricultural Communications and attending the University of Illinois has allowed me to live for not just myself, but for my God that has allowed me to be here and the others that celebrate with him in heaven above like Cody and Cheyenne!

Day 14: He’s not just Cover Crop Dave, he is Compost Dave

My dad in the last couple of years has become very interested in creating compost. He has started his own composting business where he composes his own piles. His goal is to provide the proper elements and components to create successful compost. When I said he was passionate about the dirt, I meant it.

He has recently built a greenhouse where he tests the success of his compost. What he does is he will put pure compost in pots, and he will plant things such as radishes and carrots. If the plant proceeds to grow successfully in compost that is how he knows he has produced a mixture with the correct amount of elements. He also tests the temperature of his piles to ensure his compost is being produced and maintained successfully.

Building piles is a very strenuous process. I learned this the hard way when dad had me help him and Taylor, who works for dad, spread phosphorous on piles. You don’t realize just how heavy phosphorous is until you pick it up with a shovel! After that day, I really grew to appreciate my dad and others that worked for him.

Just like cover crops, when I listen to my dad talk about the compost and how helpful and successful it is in crop production, sometimes it is hard to follow. But since I have been at the U of I the use of his compost has also sparked my interest and I truly enjoy listening to all the knowledge and input he has to say. So, I not only chose to major in Agricultural Communications because I wanted to understand Cover Crop Dave, but I also wanted to finally understand Compost Dave!

Day 13: I finally found the right place for me

I love where I grew up. But, by my senior year I knew I was ready to go to college. It was time for me to meet new people, experience a different atmosphere and really focus on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Attending the University of Illinois has been the best decision I have made for myself, and has provided me with so many opportunities within my first semester.

I grew up with plenty of amazing people that have helped me get to where I am today, but despite this I knew it was time for a change. I wanted to surround myself with people that are just as passionate about the agriculture industry as I am. Living in 4-H house has definitely stimulated this and I am so lucky to have so many girls that I can always count on! It is refreshing to meet so many people that have the same interests I do with similar goals.

I have been blessed to have so many different opportunities within my first semester. The North American International Livestock Internship was a fantastic experience and I learned so much from the professionals I worked with. I’ve also been involved in the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and have recently become the ACEs Council Representative. These opportunities have allowed me to be apart of something that means so much to me.

The new ACT officer team.

I can honestly say that U of I was the perfect place for me. I have been able to thrive and have met so many people that have been so influential. If I would not have chose to be in Agricultural Communications, I do not think I would have ever found the right fit for me with some amazing people.

Day 12: Mom always wanted the best for me

I don’t think I have met a person who is as selfless as my mom. She has raised my sister and I, and we both know she genuinely loves and would do anything for us. She has always looked out for us having our best interest in mind. This is something I can say I didn’t fully understand until I started at the University of Illinois.

My mom and I have butted heads a lot. From the time I was in junior high and high school we just didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. But as I have grown older, I’ve started to comprehend a large part of why we did not always get along was because I never fully grasped the concept that she was always looking out for me. Whether it was curfew, constantly having to text her where I was, it was all because she cared so much about me and she wanted me safe.

When I hurt, she hurt. She took every one of my feelings to heart and there isn’t another person that I can say cared that much about how I felt. She has overcome so much in her life which has allowed to grow an even deeper respect for her.

Being at college now has made me realize how much my mom has done for me. I have definitely appreciated her so much more. When I chose to major in Agricultural Communications I did not realize that it would strengthen the relationship between my mom and I. She has always wanted the best for me, and I can finally say that I understand why.

Day 11: Love me some Jella

God has truly blessed me with an awesome sister to grow up with. Even though she is two years younger than me, I look up to her everyday. She is a beautiful, diligent, smart and Godly young woman, and she has truly been an inspiration to me! I know she is someone I can always talk to when I am going through a tough time or we can always make a good time out of nothing.

Since I can remember, Jenna has been in love with the farm. Her passion for agriculture has been unceasing and she continues to grow in her interest. Now she is a junior in high school, and just recently has become the active president of her FFA chapter. She loves being out in the barn working with the pigs every chance she can get. After school, she is always out in the field helping dad with whatever he may need. She is eager to learn more about the industry through hands-on experiences.

Because she is a junior it is time for her to start considering places to attend college. At this point she is very interested in majoring in Animal Nutrition. Her heart has always been set on Purdue but she is now considering other schools such as K-state and Oklahoma State. I try to convince her that U of I would be the place for her but I don’t think she wants to follow in her sisters footsteps. I know whatever she chooses will be the perfect fit for her and she will highly succeed in whatever she decides to major in.

I cannot express how unbelievably proud I am to call Jenna my sister. When I decided to major in Agricultural Communications, I can remember her making fun of me because she thought I wanted to be just like her. But looking back on it, why wouldn’t I want to be like her? Without her being in my life, I honestly don’t think I would have chose to be an active advocate for agriculture. I am so thankful for Jella; she has allowed me to pursue something I am genuinely passionate about. I couldn’t have asked for a better best friend.

Day 10: Cover Crop Dave

If anyone knows my dad, they understand how passionate he is about the soil. His farm operation now is all no-till, where he is also successfully incorporating cover crops into his production system. When my dad starts talking about the soil and crops, it is almost impossible getting him to stop.

Radishes, Austrian Peas, Ryegrass: these are just some of the many cover crops he has been incorporating into his operation. His main focus in planting all of these different varieties is that he can successfully add nutrients in the soil to make it healthier for crop production. Not to mention, by utilizing successful cover crops he is preventing detrimental soil erosion.

A mixture of radishes, turnips, crimson clover and hairy vetch. 

 Working in a field of Cereal Rye.

Dad’s success with his cover crops has led him to some pretty interesting experiences. He unexpectedly was on the front page of the No-till Farmer with a featured story. He has a couple youtube videos that just describe what he has used that has worked best for him while planting cover crops, and he also has traveled to some no-till conferences where he has given presentations as well.

A mixture of Austrian winter peas, oats and hairy vetch.

When my dad starts talking about his cover crops and biology of the soil, to me it is very difficult to comprehend all the terms and methods he explains to me. Although, I have found that now that I’ve started writing I have become even more interested in crop and soil health and directly how it is affecting farmers just like my dad. I have learned so much from him this semester just absorbing everything he has to say. So when I think about why I decided to major in Agricultural Communications, I definitely believe I wanted to finally understand Cover Crop Dave!