I don’t do it often and my reluctance to self-promote is probably detrimental to this blog… but I’m hoping you’ll indulge me and let me make a small brag. A few days ago I told you about attending an eight week workshop at the Worland Library sponsored by Lifetime Arts. Well, my teacher, Barrie Lynn Bryant, shared it… and Lifetime Arts picked up my blog post and included me in their blog/newsletter! That gives me a bit of attention nationwide and I’m excited.
Granted, it’s not People Magazine or National Geographic, but I’ll sure take any promotion for this little ol’ blog I can get!
Agriculture seems to be taking a beating in the press as of late, maybe it’s just me seeing negative reports, but most of what I do is tell the story of MY agriculture, granted, in a very tiny place in the middle of a very big state… but it’s our story and one I feel is worth the telling (obviously).
We’re not out here destroying the environment (we work to improve it quite regularly), we’re not abusing our cattle (they pretty much live the life of Riley), and that “sustainability” label they want to slap on everything? Well, I figure 112 years in the same family should count for something.
So, here’s my little post about a little newsletter that made me happy. I hope I help people who have questions. I hope I’m creating a chronicle of our life. I hope that the divide that separates the rural from the urban is a bit smaller because of the tales I share.
And I’m actually going to ask you for something… I sincerely think that people need to hear the tales of agriculture. If you’re reading this on Facebook, hit the share button. Maybe one of your friends needs to know about how beef is raised in the U.S. Maybe one of them needs a pretty picture and a jigsaw puzzle to do while they’re waiting in line. Maybe they need to learn about dairy or goats or feedlots or farms in New Jersey or Florida. Ag blogs are out there. Find them. READ THEM. SHARE THEM.
Production agriculture is 2% of the population of the U.S.
Two percent.
Average age of farmers and ranchers is 57.5 years.
Suicide rates for farmers and ranchers is 3.5 times what it is for the general population.
The Death Tax will ruin the family farm… and people will vote for it, though everyone says they *support* family farms.
People say they want to know where their food comes from but will believe any headline written to make money rather than do the research themselves.
I’m a big fan of TDF Honest Farming when he says “Ask a farmer, not an activist”.
There are soooo many ag bloggers out here doing a better job than me, BUT PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR IT.
Yes, I’m very grateful I made it into an organization’s newsletter. I’m thrilled the Green River Drift made it onto 60 Minutes last week (and they did a decent job). I listen to great ag podcasts… and I learn stuff! But, I’m guilty myself. Sometimes I just hit LIKE and I don’t share, but I’m going to step up my game.
Two percent, I’m going to say that again… TWO PERCENT of the population is trying to feed you and your family and many others around the world. They’re trying to do it right and trying to make a living and they’re working their butts off doing it.
How can you help? Sure, give us a thanks, that’s good to hear. But don’t underestimate the power of SHARING posts… on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Telegram… I really don’t care.
YOU can spread the word.
YOU have the power.
YOU hit that button and YOU can make a difference.
It’s no longer about the number of followers or monetization… it’s about caring about your food, what you feed your family, what does “buy local” mean?, what impact are YOU having on the food chain?
You see an ag blog post or Instagram reel you like or a YouTube video… just SHARE. People need to know. You’re already here. YOU KNOW. Help us spread the word that if you eat, you need agriculture. Find out more…
Wow.
That little “yay-I-made-it-into-a-newletter” post kinda turned into a rant. Sorry, not sorry. (For those new to this blog, I REALLY don’t talk like this everyday!). I may have gone a little overboard but I do sincerely believe this. I sincerely hope you share someone’s posts or picture or video today.
Thank you Carol! I buy local grass fed beef where I live and try to support our local farmers also at the farmer market!
I love your blog and found you when the freak blizzard happened out there in October but can’t remember what year maybe 2013?
Anyway you are so right! God Bless you and all the ranchers and farmers working so hard to feed us!
Well said, Carol! And congratulations….I’m delighted for you!
People need to read this post and pay close attention to what you’re saying. Two percent. That should be a concerning number to everyone. And I completely agree with you about the dangers to farms and ranches from the death tax. You pay property tax, sales tax, and income tax already; people shouldn’t have to sell land that’s been worked by their families for generations in order to pay yet another tax.
Thank you Carol for helping get the word out. It is so important that people know where their food comes from but it also is important that people understand that ranching/farming is not just a job. Rather, it is a way of life with education and training starting when the kids are barely toddlers. Families must be able to keep ranches in the family or we will be eating only manufactured food rather than real food.
Thank you for telling it as it is
The urban raised activists won’t hear it but that rarely stops them yelling
On my parents ranch there was a rocky hill portion of it that was forested and brushy
Each spring Dad would start a slow burn up there which cleared the underbrush ‘kindling’ One result of that on his own land was a government intern showing up to give him a citation or a printed flyer that disputed Dads common sense explanations as to why the native Americans controlled devastating dry season fires in just that way
Or in fact why lightning existed
Dads way resulted in a gentle cleansing fire during wet season that meant the mature trees wee not harmed while the slow fire cleared space for the spring grass that fed wildlife
Moreover
Its cleansing discouraged
hot forest fires that plague the western states with uncontrollable force later in summer but dad never got the urban population to hear him
Maybe his system could have been translated to ‘exfoliating?’ It helps with facials and forests both and might be something city people would recognize?
Connemara
There is nothing to be sorry about. We do need to know where our food comes from. My nephew is an ‘soil analysis’ . The correct name begins with A!. Farming in UK also has high cases of deaths by suicide and farm accidents. My nephew lost a close friend a few years ago to a farm accident. His family found him under some farm machinery. It is hard shopping. I like small Fairtrade bananas, but they come in a plastic bag. So I paid more for some in a biodegradable bag, but they were not FairTrade. So get as much info as we can about our food and make wise choices.
Very well said.
Glad this was shared in my feed. I’ll pass it along as well.
Carol, I appreciate your blog, it is always interesting to read your educational blogs. Back east here the factory farms get all the press which isn’t always good, think 5 million chickens or 2500 milk cows in a small area. We don’t seem to have many family farms that are livestock oriented so it is very interesting to read your blog. Carol in this day and age you need to do a little self promotion and there is nothing wrong with that if it gets the word out
Thank you Carol for putting into honest words the feelings that are shared by fellow farmers and ranchers. Your thoughts are spot on. The long days….and nights in all kinds of weather to care for the animals and Mother Earth is not a career, but a passion that goes back 7 generations on our farm. Congratulations on having your blog recognized!
I love your blog and I have learned so much. I refer to you often when talking about beef. Keep up the good work.
You go girl!!! Will be sharing your posts more on my FB page. Enjoy and believe in what you do. My grandparents were Wisconsin dairy farmers. Hard work is an understatement.
THANK YOU!!!
You hit the nail on the head. No, you are not bragging but being honest. Good job.
Very well said. I’ll share your Facebook post of this.