State FFA Convention in Lincoln, Nebraska….Gotta Love It! Both downtown Lincoln and UNL’s East Campus are a sea of navy corduroy cladden young people. Those young people are the agriculture leaders, and I would contend, over-all leaders of their generation.
I was not fortunate enough to have Agricultural Education in my high school. I truly felt that when I got to college at UNL, I was a full year behind my counterparts to were FFA members; they already knew the ins and outs, who was who and the what’s and how’s of the agriculture community. I caught up, but that experience gave me a tremendous appreciation for the opportunities bestowed upon my own kids.
I dropped Kaydee off this morning at a new event for Nebraska State FFA. She is participating in the first-ever Ag Issues Academy. I am JEALOUS! 36 young folks from all over Nebraska are going to come out of this sessin knowing how to communicate with their governmental leaders and knowing good, effective ways to influence the future of agriculture and farming. These kids are going to work with lobbyists, spend time training and then go to the capital. Tomorrow morning they will have breakfast with the senator from each of their respective districts. Kaydee is very excited to visit with Senator Tom Carlson!
I will give you a quick update on the Farmers Helping Japan via Red Cross project. As of today, farmers have donated a total of $41,406 through grain and cash donations via the Aurora Cooperative. I know other cooperatives are jumping on board and I have visited with Illinois Corn Growers’ staff about starting a similar program there. Again, farmers are a very kind and generous people. One of the donors yesterday stated to me that the truly good and kind hearted people always help out someone in need with no expectation of a returned kindness. He is right!
The event for yesterday regarding the cows was a good old bull fight. A neighbor had been using a bull this winter and needed a place to keep him for a few weeks. The minute he walked into the pen with the other bulls, the fight was on! Matt got to the yard from haying the cows & he could hear bellering and trees breaking and all kinds of ruckus. Well, after a bit of effort, the newcomer got put in a pen by himself for a couple days until everyone gets settled down. I tell you, it’s spring, as as they say on Bambi, everyone is “twitterpated!”
I remember FFA Convention at LMH and all of the “smurfs” running around!! I agree that FFA is about so much more than just farming. It teaches them leadership skills and how to get involved with what’s happening around them. I wish we would have had it at my high school, too!