Mom of the Year

We all have those people in our life who are with us through thick and thin, the good times and the bad…and in my case each and every day of my life. I am fortunate to have a lot of people in my life who get me through, but one of the most prevalent is my mom. I can call her whenever I need to, which is typically four times a day, and she is always willing to talk me through my life or just listen as I rant about my day. Anyone who knows her knows that she will go above and beyond to help you out, and no matter how busy or stressed she may be there is always a smile on her face. My mom is my go-to person, editor, and best friend!

Usually I send my mom a copy of my blogs before I post them, so she can tell me if they are post worthy…but not this one! My mom never gets the recognition she deserves and there isn’t enough time to tell her how grateful I am for everything she does. I call her my editor because she literally takes the time to read everything I write before I turn it in or post it. Someday I plan to add her to the payroll…I just don’t know when that will be.

The intent of this blog is #1 to say thanks to my mom for everything she does and #2 to remind everyone of the importance of mothers in agriculture…and just in life.

In my opinion mom’s are the glue that hold the household (or farm) together. Their willingness to help wherever does not go unrecognized. Most of the time they are the first ones up and the last to go to bed; and their days are jammed packed trying to keep everything running smoothly. We could all learn a lot from a farm wife/mother. In my own case I honestly don’t know if I will ever learn everything that my mom could teach me, but it is my sincere hope that one day I can be half the wife/mother that she is.

If you are a mom and you are reading this let me just say THANK YOU! Thank you for your dedication to agriculture, and most importantly your family. There are no words to describe how much you contribute to the advancement of our industry.

To my mom, best friend, and editor- Thank you so much for everything you do. Your love and support mean the world. And the boys and I aren’t joking when we say you win the Mom of the Year Award every day of every year!

I know that Mother’s Day has already passed, but I think that our moms deserve to be thanked more than just one day a year. If you are able, call your mom and say “Thank you!” Without them our industry wouldn’t have a future!

A Bright Future

In my first week back at Red River Farm Network I have had the privilege of working on a special project for the ND FFA Foundation…and it has been a blast! I have had the opportunity to visit with industry professionals about the importance of encouraging today’s young people to pursue careers in agriculture. The conversations were each unique but there was a common message from all of them: the future of agriculture is bright! They all stressed how much agriculture has expanded and talked with much enthusiasm about their thoughts on where agriculture will go in the future.

As someone who grew up on a farm and was heavily involved with daily operations there was no question in my mind that I would pursue a degree in agriculture. I knew that the opportunities in agriculture were endless and, in my mind, the best part was that I could stay in North Dakota. The unfortunate thing is that many students don’t understand how diverse the Ag industry is. No longer is the industry made up of only farmers, ranchers, and elevator mangers. Today our industry also includes scientists, business people, mechanics, broadcasters, and a plethora of others. The best part is that the industry is rapidly expanding, and as long as there are people to feed there will always be jobs in agriculture!

If we want our industry to survive we have to be proactive in spreading the message of agriculture to young people. Agriculture is the nation’s largest employer with more than 24 million people involved in some aspect of the industry, so take time to talk with students about the various opportunities in the industry. The future of our industry is bright and it is our job to help spread the message!

Trying to Catch Excellence

Let’s be honest: I’m a perfectionist! I can’t help it though. I will spend days meticulously working on a one page paper, because I know that it can be better. Some may say that being a perfectionist is a bad thing; that because I’m a perfectionist I am constantly being disappointed…but I disagree! There is a quote by Vince Lombardi that says “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we catch excellence.”

I will be the first person to tell you that I am not perfect, nor will I ever be. And, after years of struggling with this, I have come to accept the fact that “Perfection is not attainable.” This fact doesn’t disappoint me; in fact, it probably excites me more than anything! I know that by trying to reach perfection I am becoming a better person.

By striving for perfection I have become a strong, hard working individual who has learned to appreciate a hard day’s work and the joy that comes when a project is completed. The quote by Vince Lombardi is a reminder that even when things aren’t perfect we can’t give up yet, because while we might not reach perfection, excellence is just as good. Sometimes the end result isn’t the important thing, sometimes we have to be satisfied with the road that leads us to the finish line.

A Price Worth Paying

Vince Lombardi once said “Once you have established the goals you want and the price you’re willing to pay, you can ignore the minor hurts, the opponent’s pressure and temporary failures.” For the Packers and Steelers, this quote will prove to be profoundly true on February 6. The goal, which they have been working so hard to accomplish, is within their grasp. They will have to focus on the goal, the title- Super Bowl Champions!

I’m going through a time in my life where I have a lot of choices to make: should I graduate college a year early, what should I do this summer, what classes will be most beneficial to my future, what should I do with my life? Not a day goes by that I don’t think of these questions and wish I had the answers. But as I make decisions in my life and set goals for my future, this quote by Vince Lombardi is something that pushes me on when I want to give up.

The agriculture industry can take so much from this quote as well. The diverse industry of agriculture is constantly faced with challenges; whether its volatile markets, negative media attention, delayed research, etc. The fact is, we don’t always get smooth sailing, there are always going to be times when the wind is against us or when there is no wind at all. But…if we remember what our goal is, have faith and patience the wind will eventually turn and help us sail towards the finish line.

Once we set our goal, we have to have the strength to carry it out no matter what. Regardless of the score on the scoreboard, the uncertainty that sometimes comes with moving forward…none of it can stop us. Achieving our goals will cost us. It will cost us time, effort, money, sleep, comfort. But I promise you this: reaching the end zone is worth it all!

What You Play For

If I mentioned Ernie Davis, or the 1959 NCAA Division I-A Championship team would that mean anything to you? Chances are probably not, because that was over 50 years ago. I’m not concerned that you remember Ernie Davis for setting a record of 7.8 yards per carry or being the third leading rusher in the country, more importantly I want you to remember #44 as a player who played the game with passion and dedication.

Davis was a young man with big plans and a bright future in professional football, being the number one draft pick in 1962, he was drafted to the Washington Redskins and almost immediately traded to the Cleveland Browns. However, Davis would never play a single minute as a Brown, because at the young age of 22 he was diagnosed with leukemia. For most such a diagnosis would probably leave us feeling frustrated and confused, but not Davis. He knew that he had achieved more success than he ever could have hoped for. In a letter to the Saturday Evening Post, Davis is quoted as saying “It's funny, most people think my life has been all about football. I've even thought that myself. But football is just a game. What matters, is what you play for.”

“What matters, is what you play for.” In our everyday lives do we get up with the agenda that it’s all about me, and the 101 things that I need to get done. Or do we live a life in hopes that each day is an opportunity to help those in need. Even though Ernie Davis died over 50 years ago, his words give us insight to what it really means to live a life of purpose and find true success in whatever we do.

Sometimes we get lost in the fact that life is all about winning, and getting ahead. We hear from the time we are little “if you aren’t first, you’re last”, but I would like to go against what has been so deeply ingrained. Can we change the common definition of success? The color of the ribbon, the size of the plaque, the corner office, the number on a pay check…none of it matters if we live only for ourselves. Can we prove that as we work hard and remain dedicated to our goals we all experience success, and it’s even more rewarding when you go in knowing that regardless of what happens you have already won.

What matters, is what you play for!

Turn Up the Heat

At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees water boils and can power a locomotive. One degree. One degree is all that separates normal from extraordinary. A seemingly insignificant thing, one degree. It has forever changed how I look at my own life. The idea of one degree has forever changed how I live, work, and succeed. One degree- an idea that shows me that to get what I want I have to go above and beyond what I’ve ever done before…I have to turn up the heat!

Going from normal to extraordinary takes focus, belief, perseverance, and a good attitude; it’s not easy but, believe me, it’s worth it.

Focus: Continuous effort is the key to unlocking our potential

Belief: What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve

Perseverance: Our greatest glory lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall

Attitude: It is the ability to open our eyes and minds where limitless wonders are discovered

The cool thing about this concept is that it applies to everyone. It applies to the stay at home mom, the farmer, the scientist, the farm broadcaster, the doctor…no one is exempt from this concept. The New Year is often about resolutions, second chances, and new opportunities. So, my challenge to you- turn up the heat! Don’t quit when the going gets tough, in fact in those instances remember that one degree separates normal from extraordinary.

All in the View

It’s all in the view. That’s what I mean about forever, too. For any one of us our forever could end in an hour, or a hundred years from now. You never know for sure, so you’d better make every second count. –Sarah Dessen

Lately it seems as if time has been flying by. The semester is coming to a close, and I’m trying to remember where all that time went. And as I think back to what has been occupying my time I find that I am wondering if I spent my time doing things worthwhile. Did I make every second count?

The funny think about that question is, just like it says in the quote, it’s all in the view. I might find that the way I spent my time was time well spent, but to others they might find what I did meaningless. One of my goals, is to not have to look back on my life with a lot of regrets. Ten years from now I don’t want to look back on my life and say to myself: “Wow, Jessie. You sure missed out on some great opportunities. You could’ve done some great things, but you forgot that time goes by really fast.”

I want to challenge you: Don’t take one second, one minute for granted. No one is guaranteed tomorrow, so use your time wisely. Fill your time doing things you love. Make every second of your life count. And remember…It’s all in the view!