Keep My Countrified Soul

I go back...

Sisters!
Notice the overalls:)

To the day that I was born. This day marked the start of my life as a country kid, a farmers daughter, and an agriculturally involved youth. My country soul is derived from deep down in the heart of our farm, every aspect involved with agriculture, is accompanied by a life long lesson. From the first calf born in spring, to the baby kittens, growing crops, and harvested income in the fall. Having the opportunity and ability to live with an agricultural background has taught me patience, faith, thankfulness, encouragement, leadership, and passion. 

Green Pasture 

PATIENCE- The first sign of green will give any farmer hope and patience. Often things don't work out the way they are planned. Examples of this often include the devastation of a drought, the thought that your 4-H calf will not reach their finished weight on show day, or your most valued cow does not calve until the middle of April. Each of these examples have the ability to keep anyone with a passion for agriculture, on their toes. Patience, this lesson is one in which my father has done a great job of teaching to me. Nearing the last two months before the 4-H show and sale, I often get antsy and discouraged about whether my calf will be finished by the show. With just a little bit of encouragement from my father, I gain the knowledge of patience and understanding.  

FAITH- Living with faith will last in the blackest storm. My faith for the Lord is what keeps me going each and everyday. I know that any issue that I have, he is there for me. The faith that my father and grandfather have for the Lord, is a reminder to me that even though there are struggles in life, we can overcome them with a little bit of effort, and a whole lot of faith. 

THANKFULNESS- You can never be to thankful or great full of what you have. People half way across the world may have little to nothing. A rain during a severe drought, a helping hand when faced with a difficult task, or simply someone to talk to when times are tough. From the small things to the big things. Having the opportunity to live on the farm is something that I myself, am very thankful for. I could never imagine living in a town or city. Without the wide open fields and sight of cows within every range of sight, I would not be the person that I am today. 

ENCOURAGEMENT- When your down, get right back up again. Being involved with agriculture, I have experienced many forms of discouragement. However, if your not changing the mood of the situation to a positive one, then how is anyone else? Look at the glass half full, rather then half empty, and remember that there is always sunshine after a storm :)

LEADERSHIP- Be a leader, choose your own identity. I believe that leadership is one of the most important qualities within a person. If you have the ability to make yourself stand out from a group, and lead people through a struggle, then you have a super power. No, not a super power like Superman, I would hope no human could spin a web and shoot it from their finger! I mean a super power that is valued within our world. There have been numerous great leaders throughout history! Who's stopping you from being the next?

Grandpa & Cattle Dog Lady 

PASSION- If you have passion, you have everything. It seems like in order for me to get motivated to do something, I have to have even the slightest bit of interest towards the topic. If any of you have ever wrote a 4-H speech you will completely understand what I mean. If you choose to write your speech on baseball, but you have no interest in the topic whatsoever, then chances are, the speech will be dull and boring, and lets face it, you'll probably have a crowd full of snoring people! However, if the topic is on hockey, and you have an incredible love for the game, then chances are, your speech will be fiery and full of life! My passion for agriculture is visible in every aspect of my life. I tend to incorporate the importance of agriculture into everything I do, whether it be meeting new people, an interview for a job, or an answer on a social test. 

New born Baby Calf 

 I'm sure that when I was brought home to the family farm for the very first time, everyone was excited to meet me! Not soon after my arrival, came the arrival of yet another one-hundred and fifty some babies! No, not all human babies, but by far, just as adorable. The first baby calf, born in early March, meant the sign of new life on our farm. From here on, every spring, shortly after my birthday, we would be greeted by many little red, white, and tan babies. If you have never experienced the sight of new born calves running around the pasture, then you my friend, are missing out!  

Jess, Uncle Mark, Sam
Enjoying the Outdoors on the Farm!

Our family farm is something that means so much to me, I could not imagine life without it! For the past years of my life, I have been raised as a farm kid. A bit of dirt on your knees and stains on your shirt is nothing to be ashamed of, for what truly matters is what's on the inside. This is absolutely true! Be who you are, and forget the rest! My intention of this post was to remind everyone to be who they wanna be. Put your heart and soul into everything you do, and you will be left with a positive result! My agricultural background has shaped my identity and personality, and I'm proud of it! The importance of this post is to remind people to be who they want to be, not who they are told to be, and to remind everyone that what's on the inside is what truly counts!

- Jess