Monthly Archives: February 2013

Best Week of the Year

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What is the best week of the year? Well, I guess it’s a tie with Farm Show in January!

Last week, to many of you, may have just been another cold, kind of wet week up here in Happy Valley. As the week after THON, things are kinda relaxed as people sleep for 30 hours straight, try to retain their hearing and voices after screaming in the BJC, and are attempting to regain feeling in their feet. It’s suddenly time to get down to the grind of schoolwork before spring break. But last week, Feb 16-23 is probably the BEST week of the year…. because… drumroll please…it marked the annual celebration of National FFA week! : )

 

This is also fitting because my twin sister Lindsay and I have our Birthday on Feb 16th, what a way to ring in FFA Week!

As many of you can tell by my Carhartt Jacket, and pretty much every other T-shirt I wear to class, that I LOVE THE FFA! Why, because it changed my life, seriously, check out my post from earlier this year

The Three Letters that Changed My Life; FFA

Buuut, I guess I should calm down a bit, and tell you a little bit more about this Ag Org! The FFA is a National Organization that reaches all across the United States, plus Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and even Alaska. In fact, there are now FFJ (Japan) and FFK (Korea) Organizations as well.

With over ½ a million members, the FFA, which originally stood for Future Farmers of America, is not just for farmers! It is for anyone willing to try new things, learn, work with others (and oftentimes animals) and mostly grow! The FFA strives to develop “premier leadership, personal growth, and career success,” in High Schoolers in Agriculture Education. This is through Ag classes, trips and conferences, competitions, and meeting new people. Students must be enrolled in Agriculture Education to be involved in the FFA, and to be honest, those were my favorite classes in High School. Animal Science, Ag Business, Greenhouse Management, Welding and Shop, and many others were offered at my High School. I learned a lot in Ag classes, and not just about corn plants, chicken feed, and tractor driving (legit, it happened! Everyone in class drove my schools tractor around our bus port at the High School. My class even scared away a substitute gym teacher!)  However, we also learn about team-work, leadership, communication, and skills for the workplace.

Probably the most valuable lesson I learned in High School was in my Ag Class, and it is to be willing. Willing to try new things, meet new people, help others, do something even if your scared, etc. Willing to believe in yourself even if others doubt your abilities. In my agriculture classes, the rabbits and poinsettia plants were not the only things growing. Every student has the chance to blossom in character, scholarly abilities and leadership.

The FFA Motto truly encompasses this organizations desire to help students grow.

I am so excited to tell you all about this Ag Family that has changed my life, and I hope the next time you see someone wearing any FFA Apparel, stop to ask them what it is all about! This is going to be a five part series on the FFA, including: the FFA Creed, FFA Apparel, Pennsylvania FFA Association, My experiences in the FFA, and Opportunities and Competitions within the FFA. Anyone have any preferences on what they want to read about first?

 

Alysha, Papa Royer, Lindsay, Mama Royer, and Me at the Pennsylvania FFA Midwinter Convention at the Farm Show. This is where students receive their State Degrees (Cool story, I was able to say Lindsay’s name as she walked on stage to get her degree!)

PS Also at the end of each FFA post, I will share a picture and a great quote I learned in the FFA!

Quote: “Forget the notion that you must be ordinary, it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary.”

Have a great break guys,

Your Ag friend, Sarabeth

PS National FFA Website: https://www.ffa.org/Pages/default.aspx

Land for the Future

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Population Growing = Importance for Land Conservation

While talking about population growth and the need for more arable land in the future in my International Agriculture class the other day, I realized I have neglected to tell one of the greatest agricultural stories in Pennsylvania from our lifetime! Yeah, its as big of a deal as I am making it!

Pennsylvania is number 1 in the nation for land preservation. That’s right, little old PA is on a roll. This may sound strange to you, but this is very important to not only the agricultural community, but Pennsylvania’s economy, and our future food sources. 1 out of 6 jobs in PA is related to Agriculture.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s website states,
“Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production. The program guarantees a future food supply and contributes to a healthier economy. It also assures a way of life Pennsylvanian’s cherish will continue for generations to come. The program is a partnership between all levels of government and non-profit organizations – with a common goal of saving prime farmland.” Check out more information about Pennsylvania’s Land Conservation Practices HERE!

 

Here is a map from the American Farmland Trust, showing farmland that is in danger or already being developed. Check this out to learn more, Farming on The Edge.

According to the PDA Website, “Overall, Pennsylvania developed some 1.14 million acres, or 1,800 square miles, of fields, open space, and natural land between 1982 and 1997-the sixth largest such conversion after Texas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and California.  This equates to 209 acres per day, or 9 acres per hour, every hour (The Brookings Institution.)” Just think, 9 acres for every hour, that is a lot of land! I am happy to say that those numbers have dropped significantly due to easement programs and land preservation. Check out this article Pennsylvania Preserves More Farmland!

Unfortunately, the best farmlands that are in prime locations, close to cities, good water, quality, flat, etc., are also ideal for houses, buildings, and businesses. This idea, of a sprawling urbinization across the United States reminds me of the Native American Saying:

Treat the earth well.
It was not given to you by your parents,
it was loaned to you by your children.

We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
we borrow it from our Children.

~ Ancient Indian Proverb ~

Pennsylvania is definitely making strides to preserve farmland with the more than 468,000 acres now preserved, but it is a battle that is raging across our Country. In order to feed the future and our children, we need to continue to zone land for agricultural use.

              VS

Sources: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_6_2_75292_10297_0_43/AgWebsite/OrganizationDetail.aspx?navid=34&orgid=10& http://www.farmland.org/resources/fote/states/map_pennsylvania.asp  http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0402/graphics/preserve1_lg.jpg http://www.ars.usda.gov/pandp//docs.htm?docid=18525 http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-preserves-more-than-2100-acres-of-farmland-173897601.html

 

The Faces of Agriculture

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As in many industries, Agriculture is comprised of so many different people, jobs, and specialties. Today I would like to celebrate all of the wonderful people involved in Ag. Here are their profiles!
1) The Farmer

Description: Most often has rough and weathered hands. Hands that are used to hard work, and willing to help anyone in need. Often seen wearing jeans, boots, and a hat. Most likely very tan from being outside, and strong. Love being around plants and animals, and being outside. Are handy mechanics, patient animal caretakers, resourceful planters, and business people. After all, a family farm is a small business.

Common stereotype; farmers are only male! This is FALSE, there are many women involved in Ag.

 Quote: : “I’m proud to be a farmer and to provide the food for American families.”
2) The Animals
Description: Can have two or four legs. Sometimes make funny noises! Clucking, mooing, oinking, baaaaaing etc. Enjoy laying in the sun, and eating A LOT.

 Common stereotype; are mistreated! This is FALSE, animals are often considered as part of a farm family and are loved dearly. Animal caretakers feed their animals, make sure they are healthy, and provide adequate shelter. If you don’t believe me, animals are also economically important. So it would be very wasteful to mistreat animals, because then they would not produce as much milk, eggs, meat, etc. On most family farms (which is about 97% of all farms in Pennsylvania), animals all have names, and are treated with respect, and love. Just like my cow, Rosie that you met last semester!

Quote: “MOOOOO”

 

3) The Plants

Description: Love sun bathing. Enjoy water, minerals, and some good healthy dirt.

 Something you probably didn’t know:


Quote: “… “ (Silence, wind blowing through corn plants)
4) Ag Leaders and Professionals

US Secretary of Ag, Tom Vilsack

PA Secretary of Ag, George Greig

Description: May be wearing suits, and involved in public or governmental affairs, but are true Aggies at heart.

Something you probably didn’t know: The PA Secretary of Agriculture is actually a crop and Dairy Farmer from Crawford County! Secretary George Greig

Quote: “”People don’t understand rural America. Sixteen percent of our population is rural, but 40 percent of our military is rural. I don’t believe that’s because of a lack of opportunity in rural America. I believe that’s because if you grow up in rural America, you know you can’t just keep taking from the land. You’ve got to give something back.” United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack

 

5) YOU AND ME

Description: Everyday, average Americans are ALL involved in Agriculture. We eat food, wear clothing, use fuels, and then eat some more!

 Common misconception: “I don’t live on a farm, so I am not involved in Ag at all.” This is FALSE! As long as you eat, you are certainly involved in Ag. I hope you realize that farming and Ag doesn’t have to be this foreign, scary, unknown thing. As an agriculturalist, I want you all to know about what we do, every day, 365 days a year so that you have the best possible food, shelter, and clothes possible.

Quote: “ I LOVE food!” (average American student)

Ha ha I just think this picture is funny! Me tryin’ to kiss a cow… What, you guys have never done that before?

Photos courtesy of USDA, PA Dept. of Ag

So … God Made a Farmer

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Holy Cow! So I don’t know about you, but I watch the Superbowl… for the commercials! And to be completely honest, I haven’t been really impressed in the past couple of years with the lineup. I mean, there are some good intentions in the punchlines, but it seems that some of the commercials were just lacking in…. I guess the WOW factor.

Well, let me tell you, I was VERY impressed with this years turnout. There was some really great acts. Here is sum of biggest Football game of the years best commercials… from an Ag-Enthusiasts opinion 🙂

3. Clydesdale Budweiser Commercial

Ok, so this is AH-dorable! The cute horse, the tough man who loves his animal, ah epic. This is such a great commercial because of the accurate and touching portrayal of the intimacy between animals and their caretakers. The scene at the end with the Clydesdale running towards the man is  priceless, and quite adorable 🙂

2. Got Milk!

So, no big deal, but this is the first time EVER that Milk has been showcased during the Superbowl! Oh my goodness, as a Dairy Farmers, my family is so excited to get this good publicity! This commercial is also really funny and very memorable, I am interested to see if the milk consumption increased at all this week. Good stuff right there. PS have you had your three servings of Dairy yet today?

1. So God Made a Farmer

WOW! This is moving! I still remember the first time I heard this poem by Paul Harvey, I cried, and I am not even ashamed to say it. Not only is the delivery of this poem and commercial incredible, but the fact that it played during the Superbowl! HOLY COW that is awesome! I am soooooo incredibly pumped about this commercial! What a positive portrayal of Ag… in today’s age… in this society… Wow, this type of commercial is rare. Dodge in conjunction with the FFA and Case, truly did an incredible job showing men, women and children farming. I have heard that in rooms across the country, rooms that had previously been loud with laughing and cheering became silent when this ad came on. The seriousness of this commercial was a risk that definitely paid off, because people stopped to pay attention. I hope that this can continue to draw consumers attention to modern Agriculture in America.

I called my Dad, after watching this commercial, and he barely had words. He was so impressed with the commercial, and also peoples response to it. He was actually milking during the end of the football game (what can I say, someone had to do it!) but my mom pulled it up on the computer for him! Paul Harvey was a very well respected radio personality in America’s Heartland. Interestingly enough, Harvey gave this poem at a National FFA Convention (I’ll talk about this in a later post) and once visited PA. He actually visited my family’s farm, and there is a picture of him with my Grandma! SO COOL!

Click HERE! to get to the Ram Trucks website. If you scroll down past the commercial you will find more information about the FFA:) As well as the more information about the movement of 2013, The Year of the Farmer. 

Some of the poem was cut out for the commercial, so here is the whole thing!

Oh man, good stuff right there, have a fantastic week guys,

– Sarabeth