Sustainability - A Global Buzzword...Part 3

This is the final post in the three-part series on sustainability. I hope you have enjoyed learning about agriculture and sustainability in Ireland as much as I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts with you. To conclude this series I want to leave you with my main takeaways from my travels in Ireland.

• Sustainability is a global buzzword, especially in the agriculture industry.
• Ireland and the U.S. have very different approaches to dealing with sustainability in agriculture.
• The agriculture industry, on a global scale, believes it is crucial to demonstrate their sustainability; however, countries have different ways of doing this.
• Farmers around the world work hard every day to be more sustainable than they have been before. 
• Farmers care deeply for the land and animals in their care and are proud to produce food for families around the world.
• Farmers and agriculturalists are working to be more transparent with consumers about their production practices.

Although this concludes this mini-series on sustainability, below you will find more pictures from my adventures in Ireland.

Until next time,

Sustainability - A Global Buzzword...Part 2

I'm so glad that you have come back to read Part 2 of this three-part series. As I mentioned in my last post, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Ireland in November for a short-term study abroad tour. It was a great experience, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to mark 'travel to Ireland' off my bucket list.

While we were in Ireland, we traveled across a large portion of the country. We stayed in the cities of Cork, Galway, and Dublin. Driving from place to place was one of the best parts of the trip - it was so neat to see the lush, green countrysides and the various sheep and cattle grazing in the stone-fenced pastures. In addition to touring cultural sites such as Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, and Cliffs of Moher, we had the opportunity to tour two universities, two farms, the Department of Agriculture, Irish Examiner, and the Farmers Journal. At several of the stops I had the opportunity to visit with the hosts to ask about their views of sustainability and sustainability initiatives in Ireland. Below, I share the views of some of the incredible individuals that I had the opportunity to meet.

Billy Nicholson- We traveled to Billy Nicholson's beef operation near Crosshaven on Monday, November 24. This farm will be 100 years old in 2015 and Neil, Billy's son, will be the four generation to manage the farm. Nicholson has a 182 hectare property with 94 hectares in grass, 40 hectares in tillage and fodder beets; with a 100-cow herd of Charolais and Simmental. All the calving on the Nicholson farm occurs in the spring. Male cattle are typically finished as young bulls and they do not keep heifer calves as replacements. The Nicholson farm is part of the Beef Quality Assurance Scheme and has been since the program was introduced. Nicholson said joining the program was an easy decision because of the price incentives they receive as part of participating in the program.

"Sustainable farming is being able to make a comfortable living, while still being able to re-invest in buildings and farm infrastructure," - Billy Nicholson, third generation Irish farmer

On Monday we also toured Teagasc at Moorepark. Teagasc is the semi-state authority in Ireland responsible for research and development, training and advisory services in the agri-food sector. Moorepark is one of the leading dairy research centers in the world and specializes in pasture based systems of milk production. Next year the EU is eliminating milk quotas and Ireland is working to double milk production by 2020. This is putting pressure on Teagasc to provide more intensive services to its clients. The growing global population was the primary driver in the decision to eliminate milk quotas. Ireland's goal is to be one of the top 5 dairy exporters in the world (currently they rank 28th).

"Sustainability from an economic/financial perspective is about a farmer's ability to make a profit and environmentally it's about protecting the environment..socially it would probably be important to consider work-life balance," Tom O'Dwyer, Teagasc dairy specialist.

On Wednesday, November 26 we visited the Department of Agriculture Press Office and met with Ultan Waldron, press and information officer for the department. The mission of the department is to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer agri-food sector and to contribute to the rural economy and society. Waldron was so helpful in explaining the sustainability initiatives in Ireland and even followed up after our meeting with additional information.

"Being sustainable is about producing more with what you have; inputs and outputs," - Ultan Waldron, Ireland Department of Agriculture press and information officer.

I greatly enjoyed my time visiting with these individuals and so appreciate their willingness to share their thoughts on agricultural sustainability. Although their definitions varied, they each stressed the importance of sustainability in the agriculture industry on a global level. Based on the research I have been doing for my thesis, I knew that the literature suggests that sustainability is an increasingly important topic. However, I really enjoyed hearing it directly from these agriculturalists and learning about their individuals views on the topic.

Next time I will conclude this mini-series, I hope you will come back to check it out. I plan to share my main takeaways from the trip, as well as compare and contrast agriculture in Ireland and the U.S.

Until next time,

Sustainability - A Global Buzzword

Today I'm launching the first of three posts about agriculture in Ireland, specifically agricultural sustainability in Ireland. Those of you who know me know that I'm extremely passionate about sustainability, especially in the agriculture industry. For those of you that didn't know, let me explain.

In January 2013 I had the amazing opportunity to attend a Bayer CropScience Sustainability in Agriculture Executive Course on behalf of the Red River Farm Network. This course brought together agricultural stakeholders from across the country to talk about sustainability in agriculture. This course both challenged and excited me and, at the time, I didn't realize the profound impact the course would have on my life. To learn more about that course check out the blog post I wrote.

This course sparked my interested in the concept of sustainability and how farmers are sharing their sustainability stories with consumers. I am passionate about every aspect of sustainability: how it is defined, how it is measured, how consumers view the sustainability of agriculture, how businesses practice sustainability, and so much more. My passion for this topic led me to basing my thesis on sustainability along the agricultural supply chain. In addition, I am working on a project with some colleagues aimed at understanding how consumers and agriculturalists perceive sustainability at the farm-level.

Last spring I signed up for a short-term study abroad in Ireland. As part of the course I was instructed to identify a topic of interest that I wanted to investigate while in Ireland. Any guesses on what topic I selected? Of course, it was sustainability! I couldn't wait to learn about agricultural sustainability in Ireland. After a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Ireland and learn about agriculture and agricultural communications, I wanted to share what I learned. I learned so much that I'm breaking it into a three-part series. This first post is focused on the key takeaways about agricultural sustainability in Ireland.

• The word sustainability has certainly become a buzzword in the U.S. and it has also become a popular term in Ireland in recent years.
• Just like in the U.S. there is no universal definition of sustainability. While many of the people I visited with had similar definitions, each definition was unique.
• Sustainability is affecting the lives of consumers. It's what they want to hear about and what they want farmers to practice.
• The concept of sustainability is changing the way farmers farm. A majority of Irish farmers are involved in some sort of program to help them demonstrate their environmental sustainability.
• Ireland has sustainability programs for every area of ag/food production.

In my next post, I will be introducing you to some of the farmers and agriculturalists I visited with while in Ireland and sharing their views of sustainability. I hope you come back to check it out!

Until next time,

Never Forget Your Roots

It’s hard to believe in two weeks I will have completed my third semester of graduate school – seems like just yesterday I packed up my belongings and moved to Kansas. I guess it’s true what they say, time flies when you’re having fun!

With graduation peering around the corner, a growing number of people have started asking me what I will do after I graduate. The truth is I still don’t have a solid answer to that question. I’m learning not to place limits on what I can do or where life can take me.

Over the last several years I have had the amazing opportunity to travel and experience life in a variety of places including Milwaukee, Nicaragua, Manhattan, Brazil and, most recently, Ireland. While life has taken me to these places for a variety of reasons and for different lengths of time, I always take a piece of home with me wherever I go. The lessons I learned growing up have helped prepare me for a future that has no limits.

Thinking about the future can be nerve-wracking and brings with it all sorts of uncertainties, but I know that wherever life takes me my roots will always be planted firmly on the beautiful North Dakota farm where I was raised. No amount of miles can take those lessons away.

If I could offer one piece of advice to you it would be this- dream as big as you want but never forget your roots. The lessons you’ve learned along the way will give you a strong foundation to be successful wherever your dreams take you.

“There’s no forgetting my humble beginnings; where I’m going, God only knows” – Small Town Soul by Gwen Sebastian

P.S. Next week I’m launching a three-part blog series called Sustainability – A Global Buzzword to highlight my recent trip to Ireland. Be sure to check it out!

Until next time,

It's About the Journey

Today I was prepared to be productive and finalize the second chapter of my thesis. Unfortunately, after eight hours of reading books and numerous articles all I have to show for my efforts is two lousy paragraphs and a messy desk.

As I was packing things up, discouraged and frustrated, I was reminded of this quote:

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow. -Mary Anne Radmacher

Life is full of days where things don't go as planned, but that shouldn't get in the way of you accomplishing your goals. Don't let a setback deter you from chasing your dreams. Life is about the journey just as much as it is about the destination, and I can assure you the journey will be filled with potholes, traffic jams, dead-ends, and detours along the way. But all of the experiences build character, and I promise the destination will be worth every curve ball thrown your way.

If you've experienced a frustrating day, week, month, or year, don't give up. Take heart knowing that tomorrow is a chance to try again. Don't lose sight of the destination, but remember to appreciate the lessons learned along the way.

Despite feeling defeated and frustrated, I can assure you that I will be back to work on chapter two again tomorrow.
 

Living Life Intentionally

It seems like I'm asked about my plans after graduate school on a fairly regular basis. And to be honest, I don't know the answer to that question. There are so many things that I want to do that I can't pinpoint one specific thing.

People say your 20s are supposed to be the time of your life - time for you to figure out who you are, what you want to be when you "grow up" and a chance for you to establish your own beliefs. I'm only 23 so I don't know a lot about being a 20-something, but here's what I do know. While my 20s may be a chance for me to figure out who I want to be and what I want to do with my life, I refuse to let these years pass by without carefully considering the decisions I make. I want to live my 20s intentionally, with clear goals of what I hope to learn in the next seven years. I want to take advantage of these "golden" years, knowing that the choices I make will have a powerful impact on determining who I am and what I will contribute to this world.

Are you a 20-something who is trying to figure out what to do with your life? That's great! I encourage you to consider what you are passionate about, what motivates you and what you want to be remembered for. I challenge you to be intentional with the choices you make, the organizations you're involved in, internships and jobs you apply for, and even the people you spend time with. The choices we make during this time will have a profound impact on our future - personally and professionally. Don't let these years pass you by without letting them mold you into the person you are meant to be.

So while I don't know what I want to do after I graduate yet, I can assure you that I've set some goals for things I want to accomplish and learn before I turn 30. I am also planning to make more intentional decisions regarding my future. I hope you'll join me on my journey and make your 20s some of the best years of your life!

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." -Henry David Thoreau

Until next time,

2013- A Year Filled with Change

Let me begin by apologizing for neglecting my blog. I hope when you read this post you understand why I haven't written a post for a long time. My goal for 2014 is to blog at least once a month (I'm hoping it's more than that though!)

Change is the word that I would use to describe 2013. Let me tell you why:

• K-State Graduate Student- Last spring I began to consider furthering my education with an online master's program. However, as I began to look more deeply in to graduate programs and visit with various faculty members, I realized that completing my degree on-campus would provide me with a greater learning opportunity. I received my letter of acceptance in the mail, but took a couple of weeks to think and pray about my decision. Going back to school would mean leaving the farm, my family and friends, and I would have to leave a job that I really enjoyed. I decided to take a giant leap of faith and moved to Manhattan, Kansas on August 18th. I just started my second semester towards a master's degree in agricultural communications at Kansas State University!
  
  For someone who rushed to complete my bachelor's degree in three years, most people are shocked that I went back to school. But in all honesty, I'm enjoying my time back in the classroom. I am being pushed and challenged more than ever before, and I'm loving it! The faculty and other graduate students in the program make it a great place to be. Living 12 hours from the farm has been extremely difficult, but I am thankful for supportive friends and family who continually encourage and support me.

  

  Special thanks to Scott Stebner for taking this photo!

• Said Goodbye to RRFN- One of the major drawbacks to deciding to go to school in Kansas was having to leave a job that I enjoyed and say goodbye to the incredible Red River Farm Network team. I started interning for RRFN during the summer of 2010, and I will forever be grateful to Don and Mike for agreeing to take a chance and hire me. During my time as an intern and full-time employee I had the incredible opportunity to "Report Agriculture's Business" on a daily business. I am thankful for the support of Mike, Don, Randy, Jay and Karen as I made this difficult decision. The lessons I learned during my time at RRFN are ones I will never forget.
  
  

  

  First year at Big Iron with RRFN.

• Promoted to Aunt- Perhaps the most exciting change this past year happened on November 26, when I became an aunt for the first time! The Topp team grew to 7 when Jackson arrived, and we couldn't be happier. I am so excited to teach Jackson as he grows, and I can already envision him out in the field and in the calving barn with his dad, grandpa and uncle. Being 12 hours away is even more difficult now that he is here, but I am so thankful for frequent picture updates and FaceTime. I spent every spare second with Jackson when I was home for Christmas break, and I can hardly wait to spend the entire summer with him. 

  

  So blessed to be Jackson's aunt

As you can see, the last few months have been busy and I've been trying to adjust to life as a college student again. January is often a time to reflect on the previous year and look forward to a new year filled with opportunities. Change can be a scary thing, but I speak from firsthand experience when I say it's worth it! In 2014 I encourage you to take chances, try something new, travel somewhere you have never been- I promise you won't regret it!

Making a big life CHANGE is pretty scary. But, know what's even scarier? Regret.

Until next time,

Attack Your Fears

Fears -- we all have them. When we were younger it was fear of the dark or of the monsters our older siblings told us were hiding under the bed. As we mature we become unafraid of the dark and can go to sleep without checking for those monsters under the bed. While those fears may subside, as we mature, we develop new fears. Scared to be alone or scared to fail, scared to audition for the local talent show or scared to apply for the perfect job.

Regardless of the magnitude of our fears, the truth is they hold us back. But why do we let them? And what keeps us from overcoming them?

Here's a little secret- I'm scared of failure. I'm sure it's no surprise that, for this perfectionist, one of my fears is failure. But if I let my fear of failure get in the way of pursuing my dreams, what good is that? What will life be like in 10 or 20 years if I don't push my fear aside and pursue my greatest desires? I know that I don't want to wake up one morning realizing that my life is only mediocre, realizing that my life could have been extraordinary if I could have overcome my fear of failure.

What about you? What dreams have you pushed to the side, because your fears have got in the way? Do you, like me, find yourself wondering 'what if'?

• What if you applied for your dream job? 
• What if you went back to school? 
• What if you went on your dream vacation or started your own business?  
• What if you stopped wondering and faced your fear head on?

Whatever your fear, I challenge you to face it. Or, as someone recently challenged me, attack your fear.

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Attack your fear and stop asking what if. Don't let your fears keep you from living the life you imagined.

Until next week,

Don't Forget the Big Picture

Meeting season is coming to a close and for the first time in over two months I will spend the entire week in the office! I'll be honest, meeting season was a little overwhelming at times, but there's no question I loved the opportunity I had to visit with individuals about what's going on in agriculture. I kept hearing the same message over and over again...this is an exciting time to be in the agriculture industry, and I couldn't agree more!

I had the chance to visit with a rancher in South Dakota who shared some of the struggles he experienced with last years drought and heard about changes his operation has undergone as a result. Despite the challenges, he is optimistic that it's a great time to be in the livestock industry.

I visited with several North Dakota farmers who expressed their excitement about the coming year. Despite the challenges they faced with dry conditions last year, every farmer I visited with was optimistic about the future of the agriculture industry. Whether it's the technological advancements that are on the horizon or the immense opportunities for young people to pursue careers in agriculture, our farmers and ranchers are passionate about this industry.

I was privileged to meet a renowned speaker and futurist, who's excitement and passion for the future of agriculture are contagious. There's no question that it is a great time to be a farmer but this individual is certain that things for the agriculture industry will get even better!

I had the opportunity to visit with a agvocate who reminded me of the importance of sharing agriculture's story. Her passion for our industry and willingness to tell her story to others is truly inspiring me to look at ways that I can become a better agvocate.

There are some days when I forget the big picture. I get a little rundown and forget that being a part of agriculture is about more than a single person. As individuals in agriculture we all play a vital role in producing the food and resources our growing world needs and sharing agriculture's story.

So yes life has been a little hectic, but I have enjoyed the opportunity to meet individuals who are passionate about this industry. Life is busy and the future of the ag industry is bright...what more could a girl ask for?!

P.S. Tomorrow is National Agriculture Day. A day dedicated to recognizing the hard working men and women in the agriculture industry and a day that presents us with a great opportunity to visit with others about the contributions America's farmers and ranchers make around the world. I challenge you to thank a farmer or rancher AND find a way to tell agriculture's story to someone who might not know where their food comes from.

Happy National Ag Day!!

Until next week,

Sustainability- Agriculture's Buzz Word

Sustainability. A word that we are certainly hearing a lot more about. But what is sustainability? I think we can all agree that sustainability in agriculture is important, the challenge lies in determining a definition for this buzz word and taking a proactive approach at showing consumers that farmers and ranchers have always practiced sustainability.

I was privileged to attend the Bayer CropScience Sustainability in Agriculture Executive Course last month, and I came away from that course both excited and challenged. Growing up involved in agriculture I have had the opportunity to see sustainability in action from a very young age. Farmers and ranchers have always practiced sustainability; they work with the land and livestock and do their best to provide safe, delicious and affordable food to consumers while conserving the land and resources. And they do all of this despite many criticisms and increasing regulations. With the population expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050, there's no question that farmers are more sustainable today than they have ever been.

I want to share some of my key takeaways from the Sustainability course. It is my hope that these challenge you and get you thinking about sustainability and how we spread agriculture's sustainability message.

• There isn't a clear definition for sustainability. We, as an industry, need to define sustainability before someone else does. If we don't take a proactive approach to sustainability, someone else will inaccurately define this critical term.
• Growers don't necessarily want to use insecticides, pesticides, etc., because it's an added input cost. They only use these crop protection products when necessary. Consumers need to understand that producers don't overload on crop protection...it's expensive.
• Don't put "sustainability" in a box. It's a strategy, a lifestyle really. We have to understand that sustainability has changed. What were considered sustainable practices for my grandfather's generation might not be the same as the practices my dad and brothers use on our operation today. We have to constantly be thinking of the future and how we can continue to conserve the land and resources.
• Sustainability is a moving target. It has changed over generations and continues to change at a rapid pace. Again, we need to be thinking about future generations.
• Sustainability is the ability to endure. If farmers and ranchers weren't sustainable we would not have the cheapest food source in the entire world. Sustainability is the peace of mind that when we go to the grocery store there will be food to feed our families with.

Although there's not a set definition for sustainability, I think we can all agree that sustainability is doing our best to produce the safest food possible using practices that will ensure the land is available for generations to come. Obviously agriculture has to be sustainable. If farmers and ranchers don't take care of the land, they don't have a job and their families won't have food to eat or clothes to wear. While we know that our industry is sustainable, we cannot assume consumers know that. We need to be flamboyantly transparent. We need to show consumers that we are acting in the best interest of our land and livestock, as well as, in the best interest of consumers and future generations.

"When people say you have a problem, throw open the door and show them you don't." -Temple Grandin 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I've had the best of intentions to sit down and write a  blog post, but work has been busy and I've been on the road...a lot! On top of that, calving season is underway. Next to harvest, calving season is my favorite time of year. So far there are over 90 calves running around and a whole lot more will join them before too long.

I'm looking forward to start blogging on a more regular basis. Here's a sneak peak of what you can expect

• Takeaways from the Bayer CropScience Sustainability Course
• God Made a Farmer
• Turn Around!

Here's just one of many pictures I took out in the calving barn this weekend...a glimpse at why I love life as a farm girl!

A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day...Sort of

The last 24 hours have been interesting, to say the least. Cancelled flights, delayed flights and flights that leave minutes before you arrive at the gate (breathless after running across the entire airport) were common occurrences yesterday.

It's funny because no matter how well you have something planned, you have no control over the weather and no say as to when a plane will take off. So after spending too many hours in the airport yesterday and spending a short night in Minneapolis, I'm at the airport to try my luck again today.

I'll admit, yesterday there were a few times when I got frustrated...then I remembered that I'm not in control. That reminder helped me to smile when I discovered I'd missed my flight by mere minutes and that I'd have to wait until today to arrive at my meeting.

So often we let one bad situation ruin our entire day, but why? Yesterday was a prime example that smiling in the midst of not-so-ideal situations helps to make the hours pass more quickly.

Yesterday was plagued with several unideal situations. Despite that, I had the opportunity to spend a few hours with my best friend and I'm getting a blog post done. See, good things do come from bad days! I hope that when life throws a curveball your way, you endure it with a smile on your face and the knowledge that you aren't in control.

P.S. I'm headed to North Carolina to attend a Bayer CropScience sustainability conference. I can't wait to share some of the things I learn when I return!

Until next week,

Thankful for the Occasional Breakthrough

Papers spread across the table, country music playing on the radio and my pen frantically jotting down my thoughts...today I felt like a college student who let that paper deadline creep up on me, which I assure you I never actually let happen in college!

With the deadline for the next issue of the North Dakota Soybean Grower magazine a mere two days away, I don't even open my calendar anymore for fear that my giant 'to-do' list will grow each time I look at it. It seems that the closer the deadline is, the worse my writer's block gets...but today I finally had a breakthrough. I got through an entire article this morning, am going to put the finishing touches on a second article and I will even get my weekly post done before noon, well it's pretty close anyway!

Writing for the magazine is my favorite part of what I do and it amazes me how a few words can completely change the tone of a story. I'm also amazed at how, even when I'm writing about the incredible agriculture industry, I still encounter writer's block! I'm thankful for the opportunity to highlight our industry, even when it gets stressful.

A scene that is so reminiscent of my days as college student. 

I hope that your week is going great! If it's anything like mine, I'm sure that it has had its fair share of challenges but hopefully you've had a of breakthrough or two.

Until next week,

Gotta go long, Gotta go hard, Gotta go fast

I first hit the slopes of Big Sky at the age of five. Since then, many family vacations have occurred on the side of a mountain. Since first hitting the slopes, I have become a much more proficient skier (no lie, ask anyone!) and can keep up with my dad. Many long car rides, hours on ski lifts and nights spent playing games are some of my favorite memories from my childhood. 
Last week I had an opportunity to spend four amazing days on the slopes with my family and our family friends. The times we spend together are moments I truly treasure. Since my first time on skis to now, I have spent a lot of time on my butt (less now that I'm older!), taken many trips up the ski lift, and certainly left my mark on the slopes...it's safe to say I've learned a few lessons.
Lessons Learned on the Slopes
5 second rule: One of the very first things you learn when skiing with our crew is that the longer you spend on the ground the more likely it is that you will encounter snow fog. What is snow fog? Basically it's when everyone skiing in your group that's behind you when you fall will ski as fast as they can until they get three feet from where you lay, then they stop...abruptly thus spraying you with snow. Regardless of age or gender, you better learn to get up pretty fast when you fall because otherwise you are sure to get sprayed. Word of advice, if you think you might fall let everyone else ski in front of you!
7 hour car rides are the best: Whenever my family goes skiing we always go with the Gussiaas family. The Topp-Gush ski trips are the source of some of my fondest memories. The long car rides with my two best friends have generated stories that we still talk about to this day. I often think our dad's wished we would've had dvd players in the suburbans when we were younger so they didn't have to listen to us play our favorite game 'What would you rather be?'
Gotta go long, gotta go hard, gotta go fast: This is the mantra of the Topp-Gush ski trips. When you only get a few days on the slopes you cherish every moment. It's our anthem, a constant reminder to cherish every second we have on the slopes, every moment we have together. Growing up on the slopes with my family and closest friends is something I am so thankful for. I am glad that my parents allowed the boys and I the opportunity to spend a few days on the mountain every year. I think this a motto we can apply to our everyday life. Life is short, we never know how much time we are given, so we need to cherish every second of it. Set the bar high. Don't stop until you've carved up the entire mountain, or reached your dream!

The good lookin' Gush-Topp gang...minus Amanda.

Becca, myself and Jessica when we were much younger!

Jessica, Becca and myself. So blessed to have these two as friends!

I had a blast hitting the slopes last week, and I can't wait until the next Topp-Gush adventure! 
Until next week,

Year in Review

With 2012 drawing to a close, I have been doing some thinking about the past year and the challenges and opportunities I faced. 2012 was a year full of lessons learned, so I thought I would share my top three.

Top Three Lessons from 2012

1. Take chances. When I set off for my three month adventure in Milwaukee, I thought I was crazy that there was no way I could do it. But I did. As I look back, I am so glad that I took the chance to try something new. I had the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, meet great people and I grew a lot as an individual. What seemed like an impossible feat, taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to.
2. It's okay to compromise. Stubborn is a word that is frequently used to describe me. No, it's not my best attribute but I'm working on it. This year presented me with numerous opportunities to learn the importance of compromise. As the boy frequently tells me, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might get what you need." So often we think that we have to get everything we want, exactly when we want. My question to you, to myself, is why can't we learn to work together to come to a common solution? Why does a solution to a problem have to be all or nothing?
3. Love life. Life is too short not to enjoy. No matter what the circumstance, I have learned things could always be worse. 

I'm thankful for the lessons I learned in 2012, and I am looking forward to the many lessons that 2013 has in store. I hope that 2012 was a great year for you and yours!

Until next year,

A Team, An Industry Worth Fighting For

Friday was a big day. Yes it was my birthday, but more importantly the Bison beat Georgia Southern in the semi-final game...next stop, Frisco!! It was so fun to spend my birthday cheering for the Bison with thousands of other dedicated fans. I don't think anyone who walked out of the FargoDome had much of a voice left, but no one cared. We got to watch an incredible football game and will get to watch the Bison fight for another FCS Championship!

The unique thing about Bison fans, perhaps sports fans in general, is their dedication to their team...good times and bad. True fans stick with their team through the tough times: injured player, a season plagued by more losses than wins; no matter what true fans remain dedicated to their team. Yes, it would be easier to cheer for a more successful team and, let's be honest, you probably wouldn't get harassed as much if you would quit wearing that jersey in public, but those aren't characteristics of a die-hard fan.

I think the same goes for the individuals in the agriculture industry. Besides sports fans, our industry is made up of the most dedicated people I know. Individuals who will get up several times during the night in the middle of winter to check on cows and calves during calving season. Individuals who will seed around the clock to make sure their crop gets in the ground. Individuals who will combine through the night  to get the crop off before the rain. Individuals who wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning to drive their kids to town so they can ride the bus to a 4-H or FFA judging contest. These are just a few of countless examples of the dedicated individuals who are part of our great industry.

Just like sports fans, the individuals in our industry are there through the good times and bad. When it hasn't rained in weeks, when prices aren't the best, when the tractor breaks down, when hail destroys an entire field...they don't give up. They may get discouraged, but they never quit fighting. They understand that life is full of challenges, and sometimes it can feel like an uphill climb, but they know that their industry is something worth fighting for. No matter what the circumstances, people in agriculture don't give up.

All I wanted for my birthday was a Bison victory...my wish came true!!

I'm proud to be a Bison fan and there's no question I'm proud to be a part of the agriculture industry! Win or lose, I hope you will remain a true Bison fan. And despite the challenges you may have faced this year, remember...agriculture is an industry worth fighting for!

Until next week,

Change is a Good Thing

Did you read the title of this blog...'Change is a Good Thing' the fact that I am saying that is shocking, and I have a feeling that those of you who know me are laughing to yourself. So I'll be honest, I'm not always a believer that change is a good thing, but I hope you and I can agree that the new name and design of my blog are good changes!

Ever since I started blogging as an intern I have wanted to blog on a more user friendly platform that allows me to interact with my readers and makes it easier for you to follow my blog posts. Since I am now full-time with RRFN, I decided it was time to accomplish my goal and ta-da you have A View from the Topp.

I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to follow my blog via email and as always, I love to hear from you, so feel free to comment on a post or send me an email.

So maybe we can all agree that change is a good thing...sometimes!

Until next week,

Adventures in the Windy City

Last week I was in Chicago for the Top Producer Executive Women in Agriculture Conference. It was a great opportunity to network with women from across the country who are passionate about this industry, and I look forward to sharing some thoughts from the conference in future posts.

I attended the conference with my mom and sister in-law and we decided to stay an extra day after the conference to explore the Windy City. Amanda and I had been in Chicago earlier this summer when she and Justin visited me in Milwaukee, so we had a chance to do some exploring, but we were excited to check more things off our list.

Exploring the Windy City with two of my favorite ladies

If you are ever in the Chicago area, here are a few of my recommendations.

1. Navy Pier - I had a chance to explore Navy Pier this summer and had a blast. There are tons of boat tours, rides, theaters, food vendors, etc. The view of the city from atop the Ferris Wheel is incredible.

Navy Pier Ferris Wheel

2. Pizza - You can't go to Chicago without having a slice of some authentic Chicago style pizza. There are a ton of pizza places to choose from, but I would definitely recommend Giordano's. They are famous for their stuffed pizza. 

Giordano's serves the best pizza I've ever had!

3. Millennium Park - We didn't get to spend a lot of time here, since we were trying to cram as much as we could into a short amount of time, but I would definitely recommend going here. Even if it's just for a few minutes.

The 'bean' in Millennium Park

4. Garrett's Popcorn - Everyone we talked to said that you can't leave Chicago until you stop at Garrett's Popcorn. I now understand why! They have several different types of popcorn to choose from, but their most popular is the Chicago Mix (what a clever name), which consists of carmel corn and cheese flavored popcorn getting mixed together. It sounds weird at first, but I assure you it is delicious. I wish we would've bought more to bring home.

5. Magnificent Mile - I'm not a big shopper, but going into the various shops along the Magnificent Mile was a lot of fun. Even though we didn't buy anything, it was fun to give my dad a hard time!

The Magnificent Mile is definitely more fun with dad's credit card =)

6. Sprinkles Cupcakes - If you've ever watched the show Cupcake Wars on the FoodNetwork, then you've probably heard of this shop, which is owned by one of the shows judges. Anyways, we decided we had to go try some cupcakes. They were delicious and of course had sprinkles! The coolest thing about the shop was the cupcake ATM, where you get to determine every aspect of your cupcake.

Stop at Sprinkles to satisfy your sweet tooth

There are many other great attractions in Chicago, and I hope that I can go back and continue to see what other things the city has to offer.

So blessed that my friend Sarah came
from Milwaukee to spend the day with us

P.S. You've probably realized that the blog is different than it has been in the past. Next week I will highlight the exciting features of the new blog format, which will allow you to follow my blog and receive email notifications when I add a new post...stay tuned!

Until next week,