The F Word

Big is celebrated in many ways because it often equates to success. But for some reason in today's world, big farming often gets a bad rap. I ponder this everyday, and especially when I get the opportunity to share with someone what my family does for a living.

Farming and the Nunnenkamp family goes together like peanut butter and jelly. I was never fortunate enough to know my great grandparents but they starting farming the American soil when they immigrated over to the U.S. My grandpa Fred is the oldest of 11 children and I am pretty positive he was born knowing how to farm. Except for a few years where he was overseas serving our great country in World War II, he has spent his life tilling the soil and turning seeds into success. Now 95 years later (he will be 95 in a few weeks, so Happy Early Birthday Grandpa!), he is still doing what he was born to do, FARM. Except now, he has his sons and grandsons by his side, and some days even his great grandson. We are a FAMILY FARM and darn proud of it.

So back to the "big is bad" idea. Big does not mean that a farm is not a family business. Our farm did not start big, it has grown over time.  The size of farm my grandpa had 50 years ago was not big enough to be run by my dad and uncle when they decided to join the operation. And the size of farm my grandpa, dad, and uncle had was not big enough to be run by 3 additional members, my cousin and two brothers as well. And I assume that a few years down the road when the next generation wants to join the farm, expansion will occur again.

In order for farmers to work together and farm as a family, operations have to evolve and grow.  Just because we are bigger than most does not mean that we do things different than any other farmer. We still have the same practices and take care of the environment.  We are stewards to the land and work hard to grow crops the best that we can. It literally breaks my heart when I hear someone say that big farms are, I cant believe I am about to say this F word, "Factory Farms". Yes, we have 450 head of cattle but we raise and care for them the same way as if we had 50 cows.  Yes we have 8,000 acres of crops, but we grow and care for them with the same passion as if we only had 1,000 acres. Just because one farm is bigger than the other doesn't mean one is bad and one is good. We need all kinds and types of farms to create diversity and feed our ever growing world. So it is not fair to label big farms as bad or "factory farms".

Smile boys!...or just open your mouth and stare awkwardly, either works.

Being a farmer is NOT an easy job.  There are no weekends off or paid holiday vacations.  The farm doesn't close at 5pm or open at 8am.  It is 24/7.  I was once told that farming is not a job, it is a lifestyle. And that is a fact. My family lives and breaths farming, and agriculture in general. And the best part is that we all breath it together.  Working alongside your family is one of the greatest blessings a person can have.  I am sure there are days when my dad thinks my brothers are idiots or that everybody else thinks that dad is being bossy ( its okay we all love each other :), but at the end of the day I am sure I can speak for them when I say that they wouldn't change it for anything.

So I guess to sum it all up, in the Nunnenkamp family, there are some F- words we like, some F-words I am sure get used when they shouldn't on the farm, and some F-words that definitely don't describe us. But at our farm, F stands for FAMILY.

...that's what she said

How Country Feels

My whole life I was raised in the thick of the farming life.  Everyday I was able to wake up to an open window with the Nebraska sunrise shining in and corn fields glistening in the distance.  But in my young and dazed mind I would just wake up and never really realize or appreciate How Country Feels. 

Now 22 years later, I am off and on my own (well technically, thanks mom & dad for still helping me out when I need it :). I live in Lincoln, which to most is still just a town, but to me, its a big city.  There are many days I wake up to the sound of my neighbors banging around outside or squealing tires on the street and I think to myself, where is the bright sun that would wake me up in the morning and that I use to curse as a teenager.  Where are the corn fields in the distance? Where is the sound of cows bellering? Some may think these kinds of things are pointless, but that only means that you have never been shown How Country Feels.

So when I see groups like HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) and PETA (People for the Eating of Tasty Anima.... opps, I mean.. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) trying to attack  agriculture and the country way of life I just want to scream, YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW COUNTRY FEELS! How do you as a political lobbyist extremist think that you know what is best for agriculture? You know nothing about how or why we do the things we do? If you truly knew why we care for our animals and our environment with such respect and passion, you would not be attacking us they way you are.

So I ask you, are you giving into the media hype and greedy lobbyist groups who are trying to fool you in to thinking they actually care about the country and agriculture? or do you truly know How Country Feels.

...that's what she said
Ashley

...because I'm too lazy for a real blog topic

So I have been peerrrtty busy lately with my ever changing life that my mind is kind of exploding.  Anybody who knows me at all, knows that I am more random than a yellow munchkin eating an ice cream cone inside a Prius. I usually have plenty of time to spout off my crazy thoughts and sarcasm packed comments, but i feel as if I have had to bottle all that up lately.  So since Sam didn't want to hang out with me tonight because of pie (This will be a test to see if Sam actually reads this stuff) , I will take this time to clear my head.

• I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given 

Saturday night more kisses begin with Bud lights than Kay.
• I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they

 drive behind obeys the speed limit.
• Why doesn't the freezer have a light as well?
• What ever happened to the green and purple ketchup?
• Why is it called Planned Parenthood?
• Put your clothes back on Channing Tatum! said no one ever. 
• Justin Bieber, she really needs to be quiet. 
• I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to 

answer when they call.
• I am outdoorsy in the fact that I like getting drunk on my patio. 
• Fitted Sheets, are they foldable?
• I can't remember the last time I wasn't just a tad tired. 
• The best nicknames are the ones that people don't know that they have.
• Was it really necessary to waste my elementary years learning cursive?
• If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring 

would probably just be completely invisible.
• Nickleback, please stop.  
• I hate it when I am making myself a milkshake and all the boys show up in my yard.
• Why do gingers have no souls?
• Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?
• Why can't I tickle myself?
• If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how will we ever now?
• WOW, that guy in the skinny jeans looks SO manly! said no one ever. 
• What if dog really spelled cat? (Chelewski that ones for you) 

And now for funny random animal pictures!!

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  ...that's what she said
  Ashley

I Am Definetly A Carnivore!

So I have totally FAILed.  I started out this blog totally awesome, and now I am a total slacker.  But in my defense I haven't had time to sit down and type out my random thoughts because I have been dealing with a lot of BEEF lately.

I accompanied 3 reporters from France and Netherlands to a feedyard as well as a ranch out near Gothenburg, NE.

They were traveling to Nebraska to cover the current drought and then go to Monsanto to learn about drought tolerant corn.

They were very open and understanding about our beef industry, but they had a hard time grasping the feed lot system since Europe does not operate feedlots.

It was quite an interesting trip which ended with a shattered back window of a rental car and 2 hours behind schedule.  But it was well worth it. 

I spent a lot of my last two weeks either prepping for or working at the State Fair.  I made sure to make time to go watch some of the livestock shows. My cousin Colton is the last family member to be showing cattle, and he does an AWESOME job! He had Champion FFA Market Heifer and Division Champion 4-H Market Steer.

It is pretty sentimental watching the shows, because I don't think I ever really appreciated showing livestock as much as do now. 

O ya, that's Miss Nebraska showing a calf in a mini skirt and heels.  Yes, that happened.

The Celebrity Cattle Show helped raise some money for some great charities.  To bad some one like Eric Church or Luke Bryan wasn't there leaded a steer in the ring.  I'm pretty sure I would have dumped my wallet in those buckets.

So the other parts of my State Fair time were spent at the Beef Pit.

Nothing beats a slab of  fresh prime rib or roast beef sandwich.

I wish I had a cooker this big!

The line is always CRAZY long to get in because the food is CRAZY good.

Nebraska corn fed beef is so good, I bet it could turn a vegetarian into a CARNIVORE! Speaking of vegetarians, while standing outside the Beef Pit directing the traffic, one of my coworkers over heard a conversation of two young boys and their parents.  First off, the smell outside the Beef Pit is A-MA-ZING! The little boys walked by and said "O Wow that smells soooo good!" And the father turns around and says "No, we don't eat meat".  Umm, excuse mister vegetarian, how do you know your kids don't eat meat.  I mean, I understand if you don't eat meat due to medical reasons, but to push your vegetarian-ism onto your children is ridiculous.  Animal protein is an important part in a humans diet, so why not let your children choose whether or not that want be a vegetarian like you.  And if humans are not suppose to eat meat, then why do I have sharp teeth like a carnivore??

mmmmm....nomnom I am definitely a CARNIVORE!

The Beef Pit is operated by volunteers.  Nebraska Cattlemen from all over come and serve fair goes a hearty protein packed plate of beef.

These guys serve up a sandwich every 16 SECONDS!  I think they have Jimmy Johns beat. That's Freaky Fast, So Fast You'll Freak.

...that's what she said

Ashley

Tweetering on The Facebook about a Pinterest?

I have been struggling lately. Struggling to educate.  But I'm not talking about educating the consumers about agriculture like I normally do.  This time I am having a hard time educating our farmers and ranchers about the importance of social media to agriculture.  I know, sounds funny right.  But this issue is out there.

I have encountered many, how do I say this nicely, "out of touch" producers who don't fully understand the current impact of social media.  I cannot begin to tell you how many conversations I have had with people who say, "why do you waste your time with all that internet stuff, the only people on those things are arrogant uneducated consumers".  And my usual response, That is the exact reason why we SHOULD be on all that internet stuff!

There are a lot of conversations being started out there about what farmers and ranchers are doing, but very few are actually involving producers themselves.  Social media gives us that opportunity to talk to consumers from all over the world without leaving the comfort of our farm or ranch. Now don't get me wrong, face to face interaction is always best.  But do you really have time to fly to New York to visit with average Annie at the grocery store about where her hamburger came from.  I didn't think so.

I know that farmers and ranchers are busy people working 24/7, but my one hope for the future is that every farmer and rancher have a social media account of some time and use it to share their story with the consumer.  Okay okay, I know that is like totally impossible, so let me say, I will start with my family first.  This will be a major task in itself, seeing as my father is still learning how computers work (but he has an ipad now and uses it regularly..YAH for progress :) !!), I practically have to beg my oldest brother to update his company Facebook page, and my uncle and cousin have probably never even seen a twitter page. But hey, I do like a challenge! :)

So unless you live under a rock you have heard of the new social media site Pinterest, or at least I thought everyone new about it.  Pinterest has become the new craze on the web and is booming, and booming fast! After less than 2 years of operation Pinterest has become the fastest growing social site in the world, with 12 million users.  Yes folks, Pinterst is growing faster than Facebook did!

I am an avid "pinner" on Pinterest and have come to notice that agriculture has made quite a showing on the site.  And boy am I proud.  The great thing about Pinterest is that you connect with people via photos.  And since we all know, photos are more appealing than status updates or tweets, it is the perfect platform for ag to shine! We have the opportunity to let the photos speak for us.  Consumers want to see HOW their food is grown, not read a bunch of scientific data of why it is done that way.  They want to see it with their own eyes, so this is our golden ticket as farmers and ranchers to show them what we do.

So now its story time!!

Awhile back I was talking with an older rancher about what I do for a living, and how I integrate social media into my job. I tried to explain what Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest were.  He sat, listened, and nodded as I talked.  But for some reason I got the felling it was going in one ear and out the other. So when I got done talking he began to ask questions, and let me say they were the best questions EVER! "So once you put that stuff on The Facebook, do you mail it?" "When you tweeter, who can see it?" "What's a Pinterest?" And those are just a few from our awesome conversation, but I was presently surprised at his interest in learning about this world of social media, and it gave me hope for my endeavor of putting every farmer on "The Facebook" and getting ranchers to "tweeter".

...that's what she said
Ashley