Thank You Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Farmers!

So I always knew I liked Culver's, but after today, its probably a super bad thing that I live 2 minutes from this tasty restaurant.

Today I learned that Culver's has teamed up with the National FFA Organization to thank American farmers and the future of American agriculture, FFA members! In a world where it sometimes seems that hardworking farmers and ranchers are constantly the target of misguided information and radical untruths, to see something as simple as a photo on Facebook being shared and liked thousands of times can put a smile on the face of anyone involved in agriculture.

And beyond the fact that Culver's is proud to shout their support of farmers from the social media roof tops, they are also helping others thank a farmer by sending thank you notes, which in turn Culver's will donate $1 to the National  FFA Foundation for every note sent.

Click the photo to Thank A Farmer!

Then after you write your note, head on over to Culver's and divulge your taste buds in a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Concrete Mixer. Well, that's what I did anyway. And let me just take this moment to say thank you to the "Reese's Peanut Butter Cup farmers" for providing me with a tasty relief from my work day. Your Peanut Butter Cup farming is much obliged. :-)

Hey brother bears and poppa Lyle, to thank you for being super great farmers, I ate ice cream in your honor. You're welcome :-)

But before I sign off, I would just like to share a little diddly of information about other restaurants and food services companies that, shall we say, do not support American farmers. These places support groups such as The Humane Society of the United States and have been bullied by this radical anti-agriculture group to eliminate buying products raised by certain methods of production that HSUS does not agree with. Methods that American farmers use to produce the safest and healthiest food products in the most humane and efficient ways possible.

The list of places include:

• McDonald’s
• Wendy’s
• Burger King
• Sonic
• Safeway
• Harris Teeter
• Winn-Dixie
• Carl’s Jr.
• Hardee’s
• Quiznos
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
• Chipotle
• Whole Foods
• Wolfgang Puck
• along with many other businesses.

But, there is one restaurant that I will not be throwing under the bus like the above mentioned, and that is Domino's! After last year's Ag Pizza Party, Domino's scored major brownie points in the supporting American Farmers category. And now I can happily add Culver's to that category.

So I guess it looks like my diet from now on will consist of Domino's pizza and Culver's concrete mixers. Well, maybe just today's diet anyway.

...that's what she said

March Against Monsanto. Remind me what you're mad about again?

The other day I was at our local farmers market and I overheard a conversation between the leaders of our buy local foods groups talking about the recent March Against Monsanto. Now after about 15 seconds of hearing what she was saying, lets just say my blood was boiling. But before I go on, let me clarify, I have no beef with people who choose to raise or consume organic, grass feed, antibiotic free, etc etc. types of food products, we need selection and choices for all types of consumers, but what I do have a problem with is people who choose to attack and create criticism off of false claims that hinder others from making educated decisions. My ultimate wish in life is that we would have a culture full of educated consumers who had the freedom to dictate their buying habits off of educated research, but because of ridiculous activist formations like "March Against Monsanto" I don't think that is happening anytime soon.

On Saturday May 25, thousands of people across the globe organized a March Against Monsanto. The group claims  that GMO foods are not sustainable and cause harm through causing cancer tumors, infertility, and birth defects. The group believes that chemicals produced by Monsanto are poisoning our environment and they strongly dislike government and FDA support and approval of GMO foods. This group also says they want to unveil the truth about GMOs, boycott Monsanto, and increase research on the harm caused by consuming GMO foods.

http://erinehnle.com/blog/

So after reading all their claims and missions, I still ask "So you're mad about what again?"

All of the things they are yelling and chanting about, science has conclusively refuted consistently over the past several decades that companies like Monsanto have been submitting these products for approval by the USDA and FDA. So even though these foods have been proven safe and healthy time and time again, people still find a reason to stand up and make a scene.

Since this group is so steaming mad about...well I'm still not sure what exactly, let me walk you through alittle thing I like to call "Farmer Logic".

My dad is a farmer, my uncles are farmers, my brothers are farmers, my friends are farmers, all of these people plant seeds that are GMOs. The leader of March Against Monsanto claims she was inspired to start the movement to protect her two daughters. She was quoted saying "I feel Monsanto threatens their generations health, fertility and longevity."

So "Ms. I'm Steaming Mad And I Don't Know Why", your daughters and myself consume the same GMO foods that my dad is raising and you are saying that he is causing me to be unhealthy, infertile, and live a short life? Well lets think about this, I'm pretty sure my dad loves me just as you do your daughters, so do you really think that he would raise crops that are going to kill me? You are not the only ones who consume these products that farmers are raising. Farmers and their families eat from the same table you do so do you honestly believe that farmers would produce foods that are unsafe for their own family? No, they would not, it's simple "Farmer Logic".

 ...that's what she said

That's What She Said...But Why Did She Say That?

So I have linked up with this gang of Nebraska bloggers and this is my first attempt at joining the weekly blog theme party. This week everyone is sharing why and how you picked your name for your blog.

Well, when I started my blog I decided I wanted a theme or purpose for my blog. And of course that was a simple decision, AGVOCACY.  I mean, agriculture is my life, so what else am I going to ramble about on this thing. So now that I had my purpose, I needed a name. I tossed around names involving Farmers Daughter, Country Kid, Dirt Road Diaries, Agriculture Impressions, etc etc. But it just wasn't clicking for me.
 
Then I was watching one of my all time favorite shows, The Office, and Micheal Scott spouted off the famous one-liner, "that's what she said", and BAM! name found.

If you ask anyone who knows me at all, they will probably tell you I am a straight up jokster and a touch of smart ass, well, maybe more than a "touch" ;-). I love to bop around and make others laugh and sarcasm is a language I speak rather fluently. So having the title That's What She Said was a perfect fit. Plain and simple.

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Nobody is Going to Tell Carrie Underwood to “Shut Up and Sing”

So the last few days Carrie Underwood has caused quite a ruckus on the web with her comments regarding her disapproval of Tennessee HB 1191/SB1248, The Livestock Cruelty Prevention Act.  And since all my fellow ag peeps are raising their voices on the issue, I figured I might as well join the party!

In Tennessee, The Livestock Cruelty Prevention Act (HB 1191/SB1248) has passed in the state legislature and is now awaiting the signature of Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. The measure stops animal rights activists from videotaping and editing videos to create animal cruelty on tape and sending these videos to the media and debuting them on social media to create publicity for something that may or may not have been fabricated. This measure certainly does not prevent farmers and ranchers from being transparent and helping to stop animal abuse, but it instead prohibits animal activists from going undercover with false pretenses in order to try and film abuse.

Well apparently, Carrie Underwood isn’t too happy about this measure entering into the agriculture world. A world she apparently LOVES and SUPPORTS so much, with her monthly donations to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), her vegetarianism, her support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), and her blatant disregard for a majority of her country music fans, who I can probably guess are involved in agriculture. 

Now what boils my blood more than ever, is that she supports groups such as HSUS, an anti-animal agriculture extremist group who would be MORE THAN HAPPY to put her ranching parents out of a job. Come on Carrie, do your research, talk to your family, realize what you are potentially supporting!

I was reading an article about some recent comments Underwood made about the TN bill saying: "Shame on TN lawmakers for passing the Ag Gag bill. If Gov. Bill Haslam signs this, he needs to expect me at his front door. Who's with me?"

In response, State Representative Andy Holt, who supports the bill, told local news: "I would say that Carrie Underwood will stick to singing, I'll stick to lawmaking."

To that I say, right on Representative Holt. This is just another example of celebrities using their status to try and manipulate the legal system.

The first sentence of that article also said, “nobody is going to tell Carrie Underwood to “shut up and sing”.

Well correction, I am …and I just did.

...that's what she said

"Country Style" Wordless Wednesday

For some reason I have come to believe I am some sort of a photographer lately and have accumulated over 2,000 photos in the past few weeks, so thus, I give you.... PHOTO BOMB!

"Real" cowgirls have a kindergartener lead them around....

So God Made A Farmer..."The Rest of the Story"

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer.

Never in my life have I had a heart stopping moment during a TV commercial. And last night, I can most certainly say that living rooms all around the country went “hush” during the “So God Made A Farmer” Dodge Ram commercial. I know that mine sure did. Every time I hear that moving poem, I get this “fluffy happy” feeling in my stomach and almost a tear in my eye. Seeing such purity on the TV screen after watching and hearing the awkwardness that was the Go Daddy creepy make out session is extremely refreshing. 

"Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'doing what dad does.'" So God made a farmer.

But before you begin to bow down to the great Mr. Paul Harvey, “Here’s the rest of the story”…

Paul Harvey, was anti-animal agriculture. He was a closet animal rights zealot. The following is taken directly from the HSUS website:

“Some animal advocates may not be aware that Paul and Angel were two of the best friends that the animal protection movement and The HSUS ever had, and the same must be said of their surviving son, Paul Harvey Jr. This triumvirate supported the work of our organization on countless fronts, with the support from the elder Harveys dating back to the nascent days of the organization in the mid-1950s and continuing through our work today. In one way or another, they worked with all of the six CEOs of The HSUS since the group’s founding in 1954.”

Now this may come as a shock to a majority of us ag-nerds out there who use to praise that deep god like voice that would bellow over the rural radio waves with his long dramatic pauses and his legendary “good day!” sign off.  Trust me, I felt betrayed almost; I couldn’t sleep so that is why I am writing this at 1am. 

I have been seeing a lot of huf and puf about whether or not agriculture should like having Paul Harvey promote the American way of agriculture and also the National FFA Organization. Well here is my thought,

WHY ARE WE COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING THE MOST EXPENSIVE TWO MINUTES ON TV MONEY CAN BUY, BEING SPENT PROMOTING AMERICAN FARMERS! (Major props to you Dodge! I always knew I had a soft spot for you somewhere deep inside my Chevy roots)

"I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle a calf and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait lunch until his wife's done feeding visiting ladies and tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon -- and mean it." So God made a farmer.

We are seriously shooting ourselves in the foot right now people. This commercial ranked in the top five favorite commercials of the night and #SoGodMadeAFarmer was trending on twitter immediately after the airing. On a night when people are usually talking about Budweiser, Doritos, Beyonce forgetting to put her pants on, and Jim Harbaugh unplugging the Super Dome lights because he couldn’t beat his brother, people were talking about farmers and thinking about where their food comes from. Viewers were not concerned with the hidden agenda of the voice reciting the poem; they were listening to the words and getting lost in the images on the screen. People who have never even thought about the life of a farmer got to see real life people working hard to create a healthy wholesome product to nourish our nation. Now don’t get me wrong, my praise for Mr. Harvey has definitely been suppressed to some extent, but to each their own I guess. But in my opinion, agriculture most definitely won last night. 

...that's what she said

FYI: Paul Harvey did not write the poem "So God Made A Farmer", yes he did recite it at the FFA Convention in 1978, but the author is unknown. Also, go watch the commercial, because every time you do Dodge will donate money, up to $1 Million to the National FFA Organization.

And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a farmer. 

God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board." So God made a farmer. 

"I need somebody with arms strong enough to rustle a calf and yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry, have to wait lunch until his wife's done feeding visiting ladies and tell the ladies to be sure and come back real soon -- and mean it." So God made a farmer. 

God said, "I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt. And watch it die. Then dry his eyes and say, 'Maybe next year.' I need somebody who can shape an ax handle from a persimmon sprout, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire, who can make harness out of haywire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. And who, planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty-hour week by Tuesday noon, then, pain'n from 'tractor back,' put in another seventy-two hours." So God made a farmer. 

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds and yet stop in mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor's place. So God made a farmer. 

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees and heave bails, yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink-combed pullets, who will stop his mower for an hour to splint the broken leg of a meadow lark. It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight and not cut corners. Somebody to seed, weed, feed, breed and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk and replenish the self-feeder and finish a hard week's work with a five-mile drive to church. 

"Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who would laugh and then sigh, and then reply, with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life 'doing what dad does.'" So God made a farmer.

The Beef State

Nebraska is known as the Beef State because of its major role in producing beef to feed the world. Nebraska's farmers and ranchers have been raising cattle for many generations and take great pride in what they do. Each and every day we care for our livestock and the land, which is top priority when producing a safe and nutritious supply of beef for you to enjoy.

Today 97% of America's cattle farms and ranches are family operated and caring for animals is a family tradition handed down and improved upon from generation to generation. In Nebraska, our farms and ranches produce more beef per square mile than any other state, which makes sense, since there are more cattle in the great Cornhusker state than people.

In every state in America, you will find beef ranchers and farmers - hard working people who are dedicated to their land, their animals, and to providing America and the world with safe, wholesome and nutritious beef.

Many of us are more than just cattle farmers and ranchers.  We are active members of our communities and belong to organizations like local school boards, church councils and social clubs. Consistent care for animals and improvements to farms and ranches are vital to making sure America has the safest, most environmentally friendly beef supply in the world.

We love our land and what we do. We're committed to honesty, integrity and hard work, and we are proud to share details on how the beef you eat makes its way from our pastures to your plate.  

...that's what she said