Monday, July 30, 2012

Like A Night at the County Fair


Summer time, for most, means sleeping in late and spending every moment lounging by the pool.  But for many 4-Hers, summer time means getting your animals ready for the county fair.

In my mind, there is nothing in the world that compares to a county fair.  Its 4 days of hot, sweaty, exhausting, nerve-racking fun :).  Most city folk think that fair time is only about the carnival and the concerts, but little do they know that the fairs were first started way back in the day because of agriculture. So you can probably understand my frustration when I talk to someone about a county fair or the state fair and they don't even realize that there are animals at the fair.
My last year as a 4-H member. (way back in 2008)
These young 4-Hers work extremely hard all year long getting their animals ready for the fair.  They get up early every morning to feed and bathe their animals.  They walk them, put them in barns under fans or even inside air conditioned buildings.  They take every extra step to make sure that these animals are calm and comfortable.

My cousins Colton and Cameron get they calves ready for this
years beef show.  The cattle stand in chutes while they are
brushed and readed for the show.

Almost a year ago CNN posted an article titled "Does 4-H Desensitize Kids to Killing?" Yes, I am not making this up! An actual human being wrote such an article, and I know its been over a year but I feel like I still have something to say on the matter.

Nowhere in my 13 years as a 4-H member have I ever considered myself insensitive towards the well-being of any animals.  I worked hard on each of my 4-H hogs and cattle.  Feeding them twice a day, giving them a bath every morning, training them to lead, putting them in a cool barn with fans and misters in the summer when it was extremely hot outside, and training them for show.  And after all that work, there is no greater feeling than all your hard work paying off by a success in the show ring. 

Another great feeling, is when your animal is auctioned off at the end of the fair to a 4-H supporter in your community.  The higher the bid, the better, because all that money went back into my account to help pay for next years 4-H projects.

My first few years as I walked my big steer into the show ring, usually weighing him in at about 1200 lbs, I cried.  O boy did I cry.  In my young mind, my steers were pets.  I had spent several hours everyday for the past few months with him, so you can imagine my heartbreak when I had to see him go.

Fair time is a family affair for us! My uncle Kurt and his boys
Colton and Cameron are the only family members young enough
for 4-H anymore so the entire family comes out in full force
to help during the fair. My aunt Kim, uncle Kurt and
mom Deb are all 4-H alums. 

As my 4-H years went on, it became easier for me to see my steers and hogs leave.  Does this mean I was "desensitized to killing?" ABSOLUTELY NOT! I now began to understand the purpose of my agriculture animals.  My steers served a purpose.  To feed the world.  And I, a young 4-Her, was part of that purpose. My steer was not put on this earth to be a pet, he was put here to grow and then be harvested. 

4-H taught me and many others the difference between pets and animals for food.  It makes perfect sense to us 4-Hers that when we start working with our animals, that they have an ultimate purpose and we work extremely hard to make the best market animal that we can.  Yes we still become attached to the animals because each has its on personality.  My cattle and hogs had their favorite scratch spots, their favorite feed, and favorite spot in the pen.  But I knew all along they were not pets.

What many people do no understand is that agriculture animals are not pets.  Nor does 4-H try to give kids that impression.  Death is a part of life, and we must realize that fact.
We use show sticks to scratch the cattle tummies to
make sure they are calm and comfortable at all times.

When I read the article the part that really got my blood boiling was when 4-H members were called "insensitive".  This is complete garbage.  Everytime one of my animlas looked ill or uncomforatble, I did everything in my power to correct it.  I have worked extra hours in the morning and at night to makre sure my animals were not subjected to the extreme heat of the day.  I have been stepped on, drug on the ground, charged at, and kicked by my own animals, but loved them all along the way.

If that is "insensitive and cruel to animals", then I think I need to check the definitions of those words.

...that's what she said
Ashley

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Tale of Two Corns


First off, let me apologize to my avid blog followers for missing like a week of blogs and COUNTRY MUSIC MONDAY! Somebody kick me please.  So for all you followers,well I guess just Molly, I am sorry that I couldn’t waste five minutes of your past few days with my random ramblings and thoughts.

So in my opinion, the best month of the year = July, handsdown! And I have several reasons why,

1.    The most obvious of all, my birthday! Wha what!
2.    Lighting tiny explosives
3.    Amazing selection of summer sandals are in everystore!
4.    The grill gets fired up at every possible meal!
5.    County Fair time baby!
6.    And… SWEET CORN!!!

This past weekend, I was back at home on the farm and it wasSWEET CORN TIME! Now no matter where you come from, what your background,everybody and their dog loves some good sweet corn. 

Peyton loves some fresh picked sweet corn!
At my house for some reason we seem to think that there isgoing to be a shortage of sweet corn so we plant 10 times what the normalperson plants.  But hey, its allgood, because then we get to give away some great produce to friends and familyto enjoy.

So I lucked out this year because by the time I came home for the weekend, a good chunk of the sweet corn crop had been picked, so myonly task was to husk a few tub fulls for my own personal pleasure. 


Now I would like to debunk a myth about corn to many who maybe confused.  When you drive up anddown a country back road and you see all those rows of corn, that is fieldcorn, NOT sweet corn.  You have noidea how many times I have been asked by people if I ever get tired of eatingcorn since my family grows several thousand acres of it.  Just as an fyi, if you tried to gnaw ona ear of field corn, you would probably chip a tooth.

There are two corns in the US, and field corn is by far themost common, grown on more than 99% of all corn acres.  While a small portion is process foruses as corn cereal, cornstarch, corn oil, corn syrup for human consumption, itis primarily used for livestock feed, ethanol production, and othermanufactured goods. 

There are tens of millions of acres planted to field cornwhile only 600,000 acres are planted to corn.

34% of field corn supply in the U.S. is used as feed forlivestock such as beef, pork, and poultry.

37% is used for ethanol production. 
12% is exported to other countries

So all in all, when you go to the grocery store and bagthose bright green husked ears of sweet corn, don’t think that it came fromthose miles and miles of corn you see when your driving down the road.   There is a tale of two corns inNebraska.

...that's what she said
Ashley

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

These Boots


So I'm back from Eric Church, and its was gosh-darn-bang-fantabulouly-awesome! or in other words, EPIC! But I guess when isn't Eric Church epic.

But there was one, well technically two if you count the no adult beverages rule, that was not so EPIC.

One of my greatest pet peeves is the apparel I see at concerts. So things such as "These Boots" kinda bug the bejeppers out of me!
(FYI if my brother sees this. Yes, you did tuck your pants into your boots for dramatic effect for part of the night)

So before I proceed let me say, Disclaimer-This is purely my opinion.

I would just like to share with you my overall rules of thumb for concert attire:

1. If you don't own a second pair of boots that are covered in mud or animal crap, you do NOT need to have a pair of boots to prance around in.

2. Please do not go purchase a new outfit from the, and I quote "Cowboy Store", just to go to a concert.

3. If you don't know what a longhorn is, please do not wear jewelry which have said animal on it.

4. If you have never shot a gun, please do not show up wearing camo.

5. Plaid. Nowhere on your ticket stub does it say, must wear plaid for admission, so just stop it.

So I probably seem a tad bitter about this but that is because for some, These Boots are almost sacred.  Some boots have seen a lot and have traveled many miles out in the fields or pastures.  Working long hours out in the heat and dead of winter working the land. So when I see people prancing around in "cowboy clothes" I take offense.  Not on my behalf, but on the behalf of those hard working men and women who wear those work boots everyday and work extremely hard for you and me.

So before you get dressed up in your next concert get-up and slip on your brand new pair of boots, think about the true meaning behind These Boots.

...that's what she said
Ashley

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

I'm Going to CHURCH, Well Not That Kind of Church

Guess what kiddos! I have been 22 for two days now and let me tell you....... it feels the same as 21.  But o well, in 10 years I am going to wish I was 22 again so I am going to enjoy it while I can.

Anyway, so I totally FAILED yesterday and didn't get my awesome Country Music Monday post done. #Fail  And I am going to #Fail again on Wordless Wednesday because I have some work things to take care of. So GUESS WHAT! You are going to get something I like call "Wordless Country Music Tuesday". (I know the name kind of blows but just go with it.)

So as you probably already noticed I am kind of rambling on and on. Well here is my reasoning.... I AM SO GOSH DARN EXCITED because............ I GET TO SEE MY MAIN MAN ERIC CHURCH IN 5 DAYS!!! I know right, BEST news ever!

So Sunday myself and about 7 others Church-sters are venturing our way up to Madison, Nebraska for the Madison County Fair.  Now I know this is like a definite shot in the dark but one of the top things on my bucket list, is to meet Mr. Church.  So I will keep you posted as to my success in that category but seeing as this is the third time in two years that I will be seeing the boy, I feel like the third times a charm.  So wish me luck y'all! And if I do succeed in this task I am sure the whole world will be hearing about it. haha

So in honor of the one and only bad boy of country music, I invite you all to go to CHURCH with me, and take a gander at some of these lil nuggets of pure country.

...that's what she said
Ashley




Sunday, July 8, 2012

Birthday Cow!

So since today is my birthday!!!!! This is a crazy short post because, its my BIRTHDAY!!

My birthday cookie with, what the decorator called a "normal" cow. Because yes! All cows have spots and wear bells and carry balloons around.

Thus I say, agriculture education must be a requirement for all high school students!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Humane Society of the United States... Not On My Birthday!

Guess what y'all!! It's almost my birthday!! The big 2-2 is just 3 days away!! And everyone has been asking me lately "What do you want for your birthday?" So, I have been thinking lately what I would want for my birthday. And I guess I have been having trouble, and then something came across my radar the other day.

It was recently announced that Bank of America has launched a Visa card with pictures of little kittens and puppies on it. Sounds sweet right, well for every credit card account opened they will give $60 dollars to the Humane Society of the United States, and 25 cents for every $100 spent on each card.


Now first let me say,
HSUS is NOT YOUR LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY. HSUS HAS NO CONNECTION TO YOUR TOWNS ANIMAL SHELTER. So don't be confused or hoodwinked by their name.  Many people have been taken by the over dramatic commercials on tv and their extreme and radical approach in the media. So here are a few facts about HSUS that many are unaware off:   (these facts came directly from the Center for Consumer Freedom and Humane Watch)

-HSUS scams Americans out of millions of dollars through manipulative and deceptive advertising. 85% of all HSUS tv ads feature cats and dogs.  However, HSUS does NOT run a singel pet shelter and only gives 1% of the money it raises to pet shelters, and it has spent millions on anti-farm and anit-hunting political campaigns.


- HSUS receives poor charity-evaluation marks. ChairtyWatch(formerly the American Institute of Philanthropy)  gaves HSUS a D rating.


- Six members of Congress have called for a federal investigation of HSUS. In 2011, six congressmen wrote the IRS showing concerns over HSUS's attempts to influence public policy, which they believe has "brought into question HSUS's tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status.


- HSUS regularly contribute more to its own pension plan than it does to pet shelters.  An analysis of HSUS's tax returns determined that HSUS funneled $16.3 million to its executive pension plan between 1998 and 2009 - over $1 million more than HSUS gave to pet shelter during that period.


Quotes from HSUS Officials


-
“We believe in the Three Rs - reducing the consumption of meat and other animal-based foods; refining the diet by eating products only from methods of production, transport, and slaughter that minimize pain and distress; and replacing meat and other animal-based foods in the diet with plant-based foods."– Wayne Pacelle, President/CEO (Farm & Dairy Magazine, 2009)

-
"The Meat Industry Equals Systematic Murder."– sign carried by Paul Shapiro during Compassion Over Killing protest (The Washington Post, 2003)

-
"My goal is the abolition of all animal agriculture."John “J.P.” Goodwin, Director of Animal Cruelty Policy and former Animal Liberation Front spokesperson

HSUS is a radical animal rights organization that is not affiliated with local animal shelters and instead uses its more than $100 million budget to threaten America’s hardworking farmers and ranchers. While many Americans mistakenly believe HSUS is the national organization affiliated with local animal shelters, very little of its funding is used for hands-on animal care. Instead, HSUS uses its resources to attack farmers and ranchers with legislation, litigation, and public relations smear campaigns.


So for my birthday, the only thing that I want is for you to go to Bank of America's facebook page, and write them the TRUTH about HSUS and tell them why they are making a huge mistake in partnering with such an outrageous, radical, and immoral animal rights organization.  
And if you do hold an account with Bank of America, do you really want to be apart of such a ridiculous partnership? If you value the food you eat or the clothes you wear, you will STAND UP for American farmers and ranchers and say NO to the HSUS.


that's what she said...
Ashley 

Monday, July 2, 2012

New Meaning to "Flyover States"



So I have three different paths I could take with this week’s Country Music Monday song. 
  1. I could go with the unsurprising – The Midwest is not a bunch of flyover states, we are the heartland of America and offer so much to our country in terms of lifestyle, beauty, and of course AGRICULTURE. But, that is what you’re all expecting me to write about, so PASS.
  2. I could do the unspeakable, and yell at Jason Aldean for leaving out Nebraska in the song’s lyrics.  But there is no way I could be mad at such a good looking hunk of country music man. So, PASS.
  3. For this week we are going to be talking politics.  Yep, I said politics, everyone’s FAVORITE subject. But the politics that I am going to be talking about may be a tad unfamiliar to many of you.  I am talking about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their recent unwarned, and in my opinion inappropriate and waste of tax payer dollars, aerial flights over Nebraska rancher’s property. 
So before I get to really rolling here is a little background of this whole issue.

A few months ago it was discovered that the EPA has been conducted small aircraft (NOT DRONES like the media has been reporting) flights over cattle producers and taking photos from the sky.  The reason they say for this is to find producers who are in violation of the regulations.  In simple terms, checking to make sure that no feedlot run off is spilling into fresh water areas or things like that.

Now you probably are thinking well how is this a bad thing? Let me first say, beef producers in Nebraska are committed to protecting their environment and being in compliance with all regulations and they are committed to making sure that our water, soil, and air are protected in all ways.  They are in no way trying to hide from regulation. 
So now let me give you some facts as to why cattle producers, Nebraska Delegation (Mike Johanns, Ben Nelson, Jeff Fortenberry, Adrian Smith, and Lee Terry), and many of the agriculture community are upset and why the EPA aerial flyovers are inappropriate and in my words, a waste.
  1. The NDEQ (Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality) was even unaware of the flights occurring, and they even feel as if EPA is overstepping because the NDEQ is the authority in Nebraska.
  2. EPA and NDEQ currently have the right to inspect any cattle producer currently under regulation at any time, so the flights are a waste of time and tax payer dollars.
  3. The EPA fly overs are done secretively with no warning to producers. (Many say well the police patrol from the sky so it’s the same thing. No it is not because the roads have clearly marked signs that say aerial surveillance zone.)
  4. When the EPA conducts flyovers and takes photos, majority of the time private property such as home steads are also taken in the photo. 
  5. Many times things are not as they appear, especially from the sky.  In many cases thus far, EPA has found, “what they thought” were violations, but if they would have only been on the actual feed lot, on the ground, they could have easily seen that there was nothing wrong in the first place.
  6. Nebraska Delegation sent a letter to EPA Region 7 officials asking for answers about the fly over program.  The EPA has been secretive, vague, sluggish, and practically unresponsive to citizens and government concerns.
I could go on for hours about this topic, but don't worry I won't because I know I have probably already lost half of the readers by know anyway. So my finals thoughts about this whole thing is that this flyover program is creeping way to close to “Big Brother is watching you” territory.  The government is getting way to intrusive and it’s just wrong. I am in no way trying to protect those few cattle producers who are violating the laws and creating environmental problems, but I am protecting those cattle producers who do AMAZING work and create great steaks for all of us to enjoy. So I say let the NDEQ do its job and BACK OF EPA!  

that's what she said...
Ashley