Forget yourself and go to work.

Dad harvesting wheat.

My favorite people in life are those who embody this mantra. I have been blessed to have been raised around hardworking, go-getter folks since I was little. I have seen these folks at their very best; serving in leadership positions, running businesses, raising families, building careers, teaching students, and growing their faith all why looking for ways to give back to the community in which they live. I have been in awe at the graceful way they balance all of their commitments. They enjoy the busyness. One of my all time favorite quotes talks about showing up at the gates of Heaven ragged and worn out because you'd given life everything you had and then some. For me, I don't want to have my life come to an end and have regrets. I want to know in my soul that I have done everything I could to make my life worth living.

It's easy for me to align my core values alongside agriculture. The majority of mentors in my life work in that industry and have taught me the meaning of 'forgetting yourself and working hard'. I truly believe physically working your body in heavy, manual labor can cure just about anything. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to spend so much of my time outside. It grounds me. I also believe that seeing a seed planted and cared for and then harvested is truly satisfying. Being able to grow up around farming has allowed me to see the world from a different perspective. I have not been allowed to be selfish. When it's go time, it's go time. If dad needed me to help then that was the priority. In the moment, I hated it. Especially when I was younger. Sometimes I would go to town to hang out with my friends and be envious of the way they seemed to have very little responsibility. Looking back now, I obviously benefited by having to think of others rather than myself. Whether that be the 4H lamb that needed fed or helping my dad move equipment from field to field to pleading with God for a certain type of weather so we were able to make some kind of profit that year. I remember my mom always taking time to help me process the importance of what was going on around me on the farm. She has always treated the farm as a family business and taken time to make sure my brother and I were able to understand and appreciate the work it takes to keep it running. I have the upmost respect and gratitude to her for making time for those conversations.

As we head into the busy summer season of farming, I can't help but feel so fortunate to play a small role in the agricultural industry. Farmers don't farm to get a thank you. They farm because it's their job and they enjoy it (most days, *wink*). I will forever be grateful to folks who have taken a chance on me through my hay business. I am always entertained when I answer my phone and the older gentleman on the other end asking about horse hay is surprised to hear a young, female voice. I have to work hard to know my stuff!

I would like to share with you a video that has helped my perspective as a young agriculturalist. I feel it showcases the perfect scenario within our industry. My dad is a first generation farmer. He was blessed to have an older farmer help mentor him and find ways to make a living farming. I truly believe it is going to take every single one of us involved in agriculture to keep it going. To hold strong to the salt of the earth values that guide us in all we do. My favorite line from the older farmer in the video is this: "It's upon all of us to help those around us." It is on each of us to serve our fellow man. To help others when you can. To give life your very best. To forget yourself and go to work.

As always thank you for reading.

*tips ball cap from the tractor seat*