Director’s note: While our Ag Insiders project wrapped up a few months back, this final post from the Blum family was too good not to share. I spent a few weeks after our fall Harvest Night event recovering from surgery, and this post never made it up. We appreciate all the time our Ag Insiders have given us this year both in time and insight. One line sticks out from Amy’s post below:
“Events like the SAE’s Harvest Night are amazing opportunities for people of all walks of life to gather. In those moments of fellowship, real understanding grows. That kind of understanding means you don’t have to feed cattle, plant crops, manage grasslands, or monitor water quality to know it all has value-filled purpose.”
I couldn’t agree with Amy’s comments more. Our work of bringing folks together through understanding and connection is work worth doing.
Rooster Rushing into Fall
It seems we miss acknowledging Beef Month, Farmer’s Day, 4-H Week, and a host of other public recognitions around here, but as the Stockyards Ag Experience’s Harvest Night approaches, I can’t help but think about what it means to share and celebrate agriculture.
We work according to acres and cattle count. The reality of that means our heads are often down, focused on the responsibilities at hand. It can be difficult to think outside of the daily work, especially when the daily work can be the mind-numbing kind without routine hours, paychecks, or progress.
Yet, growing crops, grass, livestock—and quite frankly kids—in rural South Dakota matters.
Breakdowns and weather coupled with big deadlines have made our recent weeks especially difficult, but the challenges have also given us a much-needed perspective.
We can’t control weather, breakdowns, markets, or a host of other things impacting our life and livelihood. We can, however, control our attitude toward it all.
For us, that means finding gratitude for the organizations like the Stockyards Ag Experience and for the people like you who make time to share and celebrate agriculture!
Events like the SAE’s Harvest Night are amazing opportunities for people of all walks of life to gather. In those moments of fellowship, real understanding grows. That kind of understanding means you don’t have to feed cattle, plant crops, manage grasslands, or monitor water quality to know it all has value-filled purpose.
We are busy harvesting all the cattle feed we’ll need for winter, but we are also gearing up to welcome pheasant hunters to both our ranch land and Lucky Longhorn Lodge.
These extra ventures require tremendous investment of time and money in an already full season, but it is also one of our favorite times of year. Our hunters come from around the country and bring with
them perspectives we don’t have. Hearing and seeing their excitement for our way of life is the refreshing boost we often need to charge ahead in our fall and winter work.
To all who take the time to read, learn, and ask more about agriculture, thank you! We appreciate your support.