At the FAIR!!

Fair time is one of my favorite times of the year - friends, family, fair food and of course, showing livestock. This summer, I spent over 20 DAYS at fairs in South Dakota. Most of them were spent sitting at the Ag United informational booth, talking to people about ag.

My favorite part of all the days of the fair came at the South Dakota State Fair this week. Our sheep were stalled right by where people walked by. When I was fitting my ewes, several people would stop to pet them and ask about them - me and moms's favorite part of fair! We both love promoting the sheep and lamb industry, and the fair is a great opportunity to do so. Later, we walked the ewes to a different barn, and were stopped by several families that just wanted to pet the pretty sheep. It was so awesome to see the little kids faces when they realized how soft her wool is and how much she likes people.

Fair time always reminds me about how we can take advantage of everyday opportunities like showing our livestock to promote agriculture to consumers. It also serves as a wake up call to remind me about how many are removed from agriculture.

Independence Day

It’s almost Independence Day, and my favorite time of the year. It’s hot out, the sun is up till 10 o’clock, with lots of 4-H events and barrel races to go to. It’s also my favorite time of year at the farm – the baby calves and lambs are getting big and at pasture – they are so pretty! Days are spent in the hay field and getting lambs ready for market. And since it’s almost the 4^th of July, American pride is showing everywhere. Almost every house has a flag out in front, patriotic music blares on radios, and every citizen is declaring that we are proud to be Americans.

Photo by: Sarah Sample, 2010

As proud as I am of our great country, I want to recognize and industry I am so proud to be a part of. It’s our nation’s most vital industry. It’s American Agriculture. American farmers work every single day to feed 100% of the population.



Photo From: Ag United



However, many criticize American farmers. There are groups that would like to see the way we feed the world end. But American Farmers farm on.

Photo From: Ag United

There are never ending winters, bone chilling cold, wind, snow and ice that make their jobs that much harder. While others take snow days and shelter inside from the snow, American farmers brave the storm to farm on.



Feeding Horses, Spring 2011 Blizzard



In times of drought and flood, insects and disease, markets good and bad, and when nature unleashes its rath, American farmers don’t quit. They farm on.



Photo From: Kott Farms, Tornado, Summer 2010



When they reach retirement age, face illness, injury and crisis, their fellow farmers and friends offer help. Increasing their workload for a friend, they farm on.



Neighbor helping with hoop barn reconstruction



American pride runs deep in the rural communities. Serving their country, both at home and overseas, they offer their hard work to others. When they return as heroes, they return to the farm. American family farmers teach their children passion for farming and to work hard and to play hard - and hope that someday, they will keep on farming on. 



My siblings sledding after working in the lambing barn



American farmers are passionate and kind to animals. From the tinest duckling, to the biggest bull, they strive to give their animals the best care possible.

Ducklings rescued when momma duck got caught in hydroswing

American family farmers work 24/7 365, through heat and humidity, wind and rain, snow and ice to provide the 21 million jobs in American Agriculture and the cheapest, safest, most abundant food supply in the world.



Photo from: Ag United for South Dakota



I am proud to be a part of this amazing industry that is constantly working to feed, clothe and fuel the world. Happy 4^th of July!!