Before I met my farmer I was pretty passionate about the agricultural industry. So passionate that I chose to go college and enter into Purdue University's College Of Agriculture in Agricultural Education. I was way active in Indiana Agriculture. Always busy with something.
Now way back in my college days I would have said my absolute dream was to settle down and marry a farmer and have tons of little babies to spoil and play with.
My dreams haven't changed so much. I have settled down, I have married my farmer, and some day we hope for more children if God chooses to bless us.
Beyond what I wanted my family life to be I also had a dream of being heavily involved in Agricultural Education. I knew I didn't want to teach at the high school level forever. I foresaw myself with continuing on with my Masters degree and even one day my PhD. And then I wanted to say home and be a farm wife and a someone's Mommy.
As life changes I have also had to adjust my dreams. Getting my Masters while chasing a 19 month old around wouldn't be easy, but I want to be a focused Mom. A PhD would be wonderful to have, but I'm not sure I would use it while my little ones are still young. But, I believe in continuing education and always believe in learning.
I spend my days doing whatever my husband needs on the farm. I also have a couple of bred cows that are mine to check on twice a day. And I have a beautiful little girl that needs guidance, all from me. I believe in play dates, trips to the museum, libraries, and lots and lots of play time and snuggles. I believe in teaching prayers, manners, and giving her a voice. I believe that I am the best one to give these to my little girl, so I put my other dreams on hold…but I am always learning and take advantages of days where I can simply go and learn at a conference. Whether it's about impacting with Social Media, or a recent day of buildings for putting cattle in.
Play dates at the Children's Museum.
I volunteer my time talking to producers about the benefits of using social media on their farms. I talk to consumers about how they can feel confident when making decisions in the grocery store. I blog about what it's like being married to a farmer, and how sometimes it can feel like I am a single parent.
Late night snack with Daddy after he got in from the fields.
My dreams are still the same, maybe one day I will have my PhD. But, I do know that now my dreams are my little girl, my husband, continuing to have a faith filled home, and raising my child in God. My dreams are volunteering all my spare time to talking to consumers and answering whatever questions they might have about modern farming practices. Blogging about my life. And I may not be earning a Masters while I do all these things, but I am certainly learning more and more every day. With every person I have a conversation with, with every discussion I have with my husband over animal welfare, and with every time I make a decision to be an active part of our family's life.
I continue to learn and share that knowledge. And I think that is a pretty important dream too!
Biotechnology meeting in St. Louis.Women who attended the Biotechnology meeting in St. Louis.