Budding Agriculturalist.

I think it is time to share a little bit about who I am. Sometimes I struggle with my identity and who I feel I really am. Today, though, I decided I do not have just one identity and it is okay!

I grew up in a small town in Minnesota of about 3,500 people. Norwood Young America [and yes that is the name of the town] was about a 45-minute drive west of Minneapolis. My mom is a cake decorator and a previous printer, my dad is a printer, my sister is studying graphic design at the University of Minnesota, and I am studying agriculture economics, public relations and advertising, and agriculture communications at North Dakota State University.

            “Do your grandparents farm then?”

No, my grandparents do not farm, my aunt and uncle do not farm, my great grandparents do not farm, and I do not farm. I grew up in the middle of my small town and played every sport imaginable and was in every club imaginable throughout high school, so that included FFA [Future Farmers of America] and 4-H. When people ask me where I gained my passion for agriculture that is where I tell them I started. In FFA and 4-H I was able to learn about animals and agriculture without ever have been exposed to agriculture. It was an amazing experience and I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn about it when I did! I showed llamas and poultry and spent most my time in the beef barn during the county fair.

When it was time to come to college I thought I wanted to go for economics; that ‘thought’ will be explained later. After a few weeks into college I thought I wanted to go for agriculture economics. I made it through almost all my courses in that degree, I joined multiple agriculture clubs on campus, and I made numerous friends in the agriculture field. I knew I loved agriculture; however, the second semester of my junior year I knew I did not love economics. I have always had a passion for speaking and communications and after hearing a few speakers in my communication class I knew I wanted to go for public relations and advertising in agriculture. This was one of the biggest, but one the best of decisions of my college career to add public relations and advertising and agriculture communications as majors in addition to agriculture economics.

I have 4 pairs of cowboy boots and a pair of work boots, but I rarely wear them to school. I have multiple bedazzled belts, cowboy hats, and farm hats, but I rarely wear those to school. If you wanted a stereotypical description of how I dress, it would be considered a ‘city slicker.’ I work at a radio station, as an intern, and yesterday morning I was wearing my ‘city slicker’ outfit and one of the guys on the morning show asked if I liked pigs as he pointed to my backpack. I had completely forgot that I had 3 pig key chains attached to a couple zippers on my backpack, and I realized that those key chains are such a great conversational starter about agriculture! Besides the pigs, I also have a combine key chain and soybean key chain. I finally understood that my attire does not define who I am, and I can connect with others in unexpected ways since I come from such a different background.  A ‘city slicker’ with a passion for agriculture, how unique, what a great way to break through the barrier of the 98% population not tied to agriculture. I am a budding agriculturalist and I am not afraid to state my opinion on agricultural topics if I feel strongly about and I am not afraid to teach others about agriculture.

Left Photo: 87th Little International

Center Photo: Photo Credit: Mataya Creations

Keychains: SPAM, York,  Cloverdale Meats, CLAAS,  North Dakota Soybean Council

Currently I am in the first semester of my senior year and practicing advocating agriculture as I attend school and work 4 jobs. I would not change anything. I am happy with what I am doing, and I cannot wait to see what my future brings me and what I can do for agriculture one day!