A Sea of Green

I love spring.  Everything starts greening up and the sunlight gets brighter each day.  I've been wanting to take a picture of this pasture for a few days now.  It's covered in rye grass that's growing in the prettiest deep green color. Since it is getting tall, and we're hoping to plant corn in this same field later in the spring, the guys moved several of our momma cows and their calves over to graze away at it. 

You've heard of hog heaven?  This is cow heaven! 

Another cell phone picture for your viewing pleasure!

The Time Change - 5 Thoughts

So today was that day where the clock springs forward on us.  Here are five thoughts about it.

1.  I got up and about early today and thought I was doing great on time until Glen popped his head in the bathroom and reminded me about the time change.  In five seconds I lost an hour. 

2.  Summer is coming!  A long with the time change we see longer hours of daylight, sunny skies, and days at home while school's out for summer break.  This is definitely sweetness!

3.  Longer work days.  I've officially become a "farm widow."  With more daylight comes longer work days for Glen.  More daylight means more time to take care of cattle, fix fence, and take care of all those things that build up over the winter. 

4.  It's still light when we get out of church after evening services!  In the winter, by the time church is over it's so dark you just want to go home and snuggle down under the covers.  With the time change there will be time to do things after services too!

5.  I'm going to stay up way to late tonight because of time change lag.  My clock says it's bedtime but my body says no way!

Happy Spring Forward!!

Baseball After Dark

Pardon the picture quality but I'm posting via cell phone...
Orran's playing baseball this year!  (Momma's very excited about this!)  Anyway, tomorrow he has tryouts so he can be placed on a team.  We have been practicing, working on basic skills, and he wanted to get some playing time in tonight.  We were running errands all afternoon so it was dark by the time we got a chance to play. So where does a farm boy go if he wants to take some pitches after dark? 

Orran and Ruby

The hay barn of course!  Perfect. 

Young Farmers and Ranchers - America's Heartland

If you've ever seen the program American's Heartland, you know that they travel the country to feature some of the farmers who work hard to provide you with quality food, fuel, and fiber. They have had some really neat shows about different parts of agriculture. Recently, they put together a compilation of episodes that feature young farmers and ranchers for the YF&R Leadership Convention. For my fellow Missourians, watch this and check out Kevin and Chris Chinn's hog production and Jason and Colleen Gerke's vineyard and winery.

Look What I Found!

YouTube, it's a wonderful thing!  You just never know what you'll find.  I was cruising along, looking for another video and found this!  It was made when Glen was elected Chairman of our Missouri YF&R program.  I can't say much for his wife, but what a good looking cowboy!  ;)

A Farm Bureau Family. Really?!

If you are around me very much there's probably a good chance that at some time I've talked to you about Farm Bureau.  It is a very important organization to Glen and I.  No, I'm not talking about insurance.  (However, insurance is also something important to me.  I've earned the nickname Crash!) 

When I talk about Farm Bureau I'm talking about the general farming organization that is a grassroots effort to protect our industry, livelihood, and culture.  This is a group of people who work hard to stay on top of the policies and issues that are affecting the farming and ranching as an industry. 

But what about that family part I was talking about?  In the years that we have been involved both with Missouri Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation we have met and become close friends with many people from all corners of agriculture.  And....we really are a family.

Why?  We come from similar backgrounds.  At the Young Farmer and Rancher level we are at similar points in our lives.  We're raising families, staying involved, farming with our parents, and worried about issues such as whether or not the department of labor will allow our children to work and learn along side us on our operations or if the estate taxes will wipe out our futures. 

I know that if I need something, my FB friends will be there for me.  If I need support while Glen is gone on a trip or shopping suggestions when I'm able to travel with him, they'll be right there.  If I have a question about a policy, legislation that can affect our farm, or suggestions for activities we can do in a classroom.  They'll be there.  I appreciate that.

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

This weekend Glen and I are attending the AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher's leadership conference in Grand Rapids Michigan.  This is my first chance to attended the leadership conference at the national level and it has been great!  I've had the chance to attend some great break out session on policy development and blogging.  The general sessions have been great and I've met lots of great people.  I've learned how and what other people around the country are doing on their farms. 

The best part of the weekend has been the time I've got to spend with Glen!  I love that guy!