Where Do Babies Come From...

DISCLAIMER: The cute baby calves faces may cause you to say "awhhh".

Caution: This video is real life on our farm.

And that my friends, is where babies come from.

...that's what she said

Farmer Style

There isn't much I can say about this video except that, I. LOVE. THE. PETERSON. BROS! These Kansas boys are the prime reason why I love American farmers and ranchers. And they show it perfectly in the music videos they are so famous for producing. So Great job boys! Keep it up!

Thanks Boys!

Thanksgiving is the biggest food holiday of the year. The prescription is simple: Eat massive amounts of turkey; or hopefully beef, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and top it off with pumpkin pie. If, after the feast has concluded, you can muster up the energy, you drag yourself to the couch to watch football and enjoy another of the time-tested Thanksgiving traditions, the nap.

The Thanksgiving meal is a modern marvel of sorts. Your dinner table will be filled with a cornucopia of foods with growing locations as diverse as their flavors. Many of our cranberries will come from Wisconsin; Minnesota is the state that produces more turkeys than any other, your yummy yams may have came from North Carolina, the sweet potato leader, and there is a good chance your great tasting beef came from Nebraska. Thanksgiving Day dinner is a meal that illustrates how efficient and economical American farmers and ranchers are as well as the entire American agriculture system.

The statistics of Thanksgiving Day dinner can be mind-boggling: Americans will eat over 45 million turkeys this Thursday and over 80 million pounds of cranberries will be consumed. In virtually every corner of our nation, supermarkets will have all the ingredients necessary to make an impressive meal. While the numbers are staggering, it’s simply amazing that our nation’s food system can grow, process, and transport all that food to many locations around the country that can’t support their own agriculture.

With a growing disconnect between farms and consumers, more and more people have no idea where their food comes from. They simply expect grocery stores and restaurants to have what they want, when they want it and at a reasonable price. Thanks to modern American agriculture, they usually do, which is truly amazing when you think about the many facets involved.

Less than 2% of Americans spend their days growing, raising and sharing the nutrients that will soon be eaten by consumers around the world. This is definitely something to thank the people at the beginning of the food chain for, our American farmers and ranchers. 

Due to some great technology, thanking a farmer or rancher can be an easy task. Use social media to thank our producers and to spread the word and encourage others to thank them as well. Are you on Twitter? Then, send out a message with #ThankAFarmer hashtag in it. Or, share links to U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance or other farm organizations on your Facebook wall and encourage others to do the same.  Add a pin to Pinterest about your appreciation for agriculture.  There are thousands of ways to show our farmers and ranchers we care, so I ask you to take a few minutes to do just one.  

As the last of the leaves fall off the trees, Americans across our country will gather with family and friends to celebrate a holiday with roots as deep as our country is old: Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving causes us to reflect on the many blessings of the past year. Let us also remember to thank the American farmers and ranchers who labored to provide the wonderful bounty we are about to enjoy. 

So I would like to take this moment to thank the following: Dustin (the brother from the same mother), Lyle (brother of the doughnut provider), John (aka Schurman), Duane (that funny guy), Kenny (that old guy that lives in the tractor), Brad (the cousin), Lyle (somedays I like to call him Dad), Grandpa Fred ("hey, who's that short little guy", sorry inside joke), Mike (the doughnut provider), Brett (the other brother from the same mother).

Thanks boys! You fill my belly with yummy-ness, and I sure do appreciate it!

...that's what she said

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

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!

Ag Is Sexy...And You Know It!

Thanks to Dr. Ronnie Green, UNL IANR Vice Chancellor, we can all agree that AGRICULTURE IS SEXY. (Dr. Green has coined that phrase this past year) You are probably thinking how is ag sexy? Just watch these three brothers from Kansas show how sexy agriculture truly is!

I'm a "Corn Star"

So, for this weeks County Music Monday, I'm gonna ditch the life lessons and philosophical-ness which I usually try and convey to you all, and replace it with some, well I'm not quite sure yet.  I guess I'm winging this post tonight. haha

So this weeks song is CORN STAR by the one and only Craig Morgan.  I stumbled upon this song about two weeks ago and immediately fell in LOVE with it.  I honestly am a true sucker for funny songs with great innuendos. So thus I present you with.... CORN STAR.

So instead of me relating this song to life, I'm just gonna give you some great CORN facts.  Since my family makes a majority of its living fromcorn production, it only seems fit.
So here we go....  

1. U.S. farmers produce about 40 percent of the world's corn, using only 20 percent of the total area harvested in the world. 
2. One bushel of corn is 56 pounds. That means U.S. farmers produce an average of more than 9,000 pounds of corn per acre. 
   
3. If U.S. farmers used crop production practices from 1931 to produce an amount of corn equivalent to the 2008 crop, it would require 490 million acres—an area more than 120 million acres larger than the state of Alaska.
   
4. Individuals or families own 82 percent of corn farms. Another 6 percent are family-held corporations.
   
5. Less than 15 percent of U.S. corn acres are irrigated.
   
6. Farmers today produce 70 percent more corn per pound of fertilizer than as recently as the 1970s.
   
7. Corn farmers have reduced total fertilizer use by 10 percent since 1980.
   
8. According to the USDA, one acre of corn… removes about 8 tons of carbon dioxide from the air in a growing season…at 180 bushels per acre produces enough oxygen to supply a year’s needs for 131 people.
   
9. Corn production has marched steadily upward for decades while using fewer acres.
   
10. American farmers produced the five largest corn crops in history during the past five years. Even after supplying food-makers, ranchers, ethanol producers and grain exporters, America will again be able to save 10 percent of this year’s harvest for the future.
    
11. Farmers today grow five times as much corn as they did in the 1930s — on 20 percent less land. That is still 13 million acres, or 20,000 square miles, twice the size of Massachusetts.
    
12. The yield per acre has skyrocketed from 24 bushels in 1931 to 154 now, or a six-fold gain.

Now it is sad to say that many people in our world today are uneducated in the facts about farming and ranching in America.  It is not always their fault though, many people have never been exposed to truths about the agriculture industry, because today the average consumer is 3 generations removed from the farm. Because of this fact, most consumers get their thoughts and opinions from public figures, social media, and television, none of which most of the time are connected to production agriculture and report the facts.
 
So again I say, like I always do, it doesn't matter what your choices and opinions are when it comes to your food choices, but it does matter that you are making choices that are based on truth and facts from the people who produce your food.  The ones who work extremely hard to produce the safest and healthiest food for us as consumers to enjoy.

You as a consumer are not the only ones who eat the food that farmers and ranchers produce, they eat it as well.  So don't you think they would want to raise safe and healthy food? Farmers and Ranchers eat from the same table as the rest of us. 

...that's what she said 

Ashley

Learn From Your Farmer, Know Your Farmer, Trust Your Farmer

For the last two days in Los Angeles, there has been some AMAZING things happening.  The U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance hosted::

The Food Dialogues: Los Angeles
Lights, Camera, Food: Perceptions and Realities of Farming and Ranching in AmericA

The panels were streaming live on the internet so I was able to listen in on the last panel of the day.  And boy o boy was it a good one.  It was so awesome to see a large panel made up of a diverse group of people, but one thing that they all had in common... farmers.  

Panelists

• Dr. Dave Daley • Associate Dean, College of Agriculture, Chico State University & Cattlemen
• Vinny Dotolo • Chef, Animal 
• Ray Martin • Vice President, Culinary Development & Corporate Executive Chef
• Gabe Segovia • Manager, Culinary Innovation, El Pollo Loco
• Julie Maschhoff • Pig farmer & Vice President, Public Policy and Public Relations, The Maschhoffs 
• Kristin Reese • Chef, farmer/rancher
• Jon Shook • Chef, Animal 

The discussion was titled The REAL Chef Challenge: Understanding How Food is Grown and Raised.  I didn't get to listen in on all of it because I was at work and well, since it is only my first week on the job, I was trying to multi-task and do work and still listen, but from the topics that I did catch, there was alot of amazing points that were brought up.  Another great thing happening during all of this was social media.  Now in today's age the use of social media is immense and it sure was shown today.  I can honestly say that the twittersphere was blowing up!

So instead of my blabbing on and on about how awesome this panel was today I'm just gonna throw out a few of the best things I heard today.

1. 98% of all farms in America are family owned. Family plays a critical role in agriculture.
2. It's not just educating, its about conversing and listening. Know Your Farmers, Trust Your Farmer.
3. Agriculture by definition is innovative- give a farmer or rancher a challenge and they will overcome it.
4. Conventional farmer is a misnomer, all farming has changed over the past several years.  It's constantly improving. 
5. Why do we welcome technology into daily life but resist it in agriculture?

So after all this said, I guess my main point that I always go back to is, EDUCATE yourself about your food choices.  Don't let social media, celebrities, or outsiders choose for you.  If you have questions or concerns about your food, ASK A FARMER.  They are the ones growing your food, so they are the only ones who truly know how and where your food is coming from. 

LEARN FROM YOUR FARMER, KNOW YOUR FARMER, TRUST YOUR FARMER

...that's what she said

Ashley

The Last of a Dying Breed

The average age of the American farmer is 57 years old, and there has been a 20% drop in the number of farmers under the age of 25. (according to USDA)  Now many may wonder why this is such a problem so let me put it simply. 
Farmers feed the world.
 
Without farmers producing food for us to eat, we won't eat.
While I was on my way home last night I heard the song, Last Of A Dying Breed.  And I started to think about my grandpa.  My grandpa Fred is 94 years old and would still be a full time farmer if his health would allow.  But don't get me wrong, at 94 years young he still tends to his garden, mows the yard, checks some irrigation wells, and drives a tractor now and again. He is the definition of life long true American Farmer and for sure, the definition of the last of a dying breed. 

But then I think about my father.  My dad is about the average age of a farmer today.  Then I think about my older brothers.  They are 25 and 28 years old.  They are a all part of a "rare breed" in today's world and I am proud to have true American farmers in my life.  But one thing that, well frankly scares the bejeepers out of me is the fact that someday the average age of our farmers might be in the 60s.  Which will mean that our total number of farmers is still decreasing.  And that is a fact that should scare everyone because we need our farmers and ranches to produce all the products that we use everyday.  Our worlds population is projected to double by the year 2050.  This means we are going to need to increase our world food production immensely by then and we need as many farmers as we can to reach that goal.

So, it is so important that we support our farmers and ranchers because, well without them, we can't survive.

...that's what she said
Ashley

Nebraska Beef Gal

Beef... It's what's for dinner.  But if you don't believe me just ask Matthew McConaughey. 

Ok, now that I got my name drop in I'll move on to my main point for today.

I just finished my first week (well, three days actually) of work at the Nebraska Cattlemen. So from now on starting Monday, I am on my own.  No more training wheels for this girl. Get excited, because I am!

So since I will probably be chatting alot about NC and the cattle industry I guess this is a good time for me to explain what our role is.

(From NC website)

The Nebraska Cattlemen association is a grassroots organization whose individual producer members determine issues of importance to the state beef industry. Its principal services are government affairs, public information, issues management, and management education and information.

Nebraska Cattlemen performs three basic functions.

• Represents the beef cattle industry to the legislative and administrative branches of the state and federal governments. 
• Explain beef production to the public and opinion influencers. Also, interpret economic, social and political developments to the industry.
• Provide economic and production information to members to aid them in their own planning and management.

Nebraska Cattlemen is the spokesman for the state’s beef cattle industry and represents nearly 3,000 cattle breeders, producers and feeders as well as 48 county and local cattlemen’s associations. Nebraska Cattlemen pulls together strong individuals to make a decision- making team that is dedicated to promoting the beef industry and enhancing the opportunity for profitability.

My office is crazy boring right now but dont worry, I'll show you the after picture next time!

 So now let me explain what my work will entail and what I will be blabbing to you all about.  My role is the Director of Communications.  So my duties include keeping communications open and flowing between members, staff, officers, and board of directors, as well as with media and other outside organizations.  I also use social media and online sources to promote our organization and the cattle industry.  So to some it up, if it involves any sort of communication, it probably involves me as well.  So get prepared for me to communicate with you about my communication experiences at work.

...that's what she said
Ashley

Wordless Wednesday

Water Tower Town

In a water tower town, everybody waves
Church doors are the only thing that's open on Sundays
Word travels fast, wheels turn slow
Yeah workin' hard and livin' right is the only life we know
Friday night football is king, sweet tea goes good with anything
Fireflies come out when the sun goes down
Nobody eats till you say Amen, and everybody knows your mama's name
You can see who loves who from miles around, in a water tower town
Well your friends a friend, and your words your word
And our pick up trucks, they ain't for looks they're made for work
Corn grows high, crime stays low
There's little towns everywhere where everybody knows
Friday night football is king, sweet tea goes good with anything
And the girls come out, when the sun goes down
Nobody eats till you say Amen, and everybody knows your mom and them
You can see who loves who from miles around, in a water tower town
Friday night football is king, sweet tea goes good with anything
Peace and quiet makes such a beautiful sound
Nobody eats till you say Amen, and everybody knows your mom and them
You can see who loves who from miles around, in a water tower town

Let me first say... YEAH! for my first Country Music Monday! So for anyone who knows me, they know how much I live and breath for country music. I know pretty much every song from Johnny Cash to Faith Hill to George Strait to my main man, ERIC CHURCH.  So let me just say one more time... YEAH! for Country Music Monday!

So a few weeks ago I heard a song on the radio by American Idol winner Scotty Mccreery, Water Tower Town.  Now, anyone who lives in a rural area knows exactly what this songs means.  But for those of you who don't, let me explain.

Sutton Nebraska, population 1,502 is the prime example of a water tower town. This small rural Nebraska town is home to a large white water tower with its name stamped proudly on the side. In almost all of these, water tower towns, the water tower is the tallest thing around.  And residents are proud of that fact.

In small rural towns, we have a different way of life, but it is a life that can not be found anywhere else.  When you drive downtown you wave at everyone you see because well, you pretty much know everyone, but even if you don't, you still send a friendly hello.  High school sporting events bring every member of the community together.  Sundays are saved for church and praising the Lord.  Word travels fast, especially in the morning at the downtown bakery.  And my favorite part of small town rural America, AGRICULTURE.  Agriculture is the driving force behind the economy of a water tower town in Nebraska. The businesses in Sutton include, two banks, insurance agency, realtor, news paper, feed & seed supply, propane & fertilizer dealer, two veterinary clinics, livestock sale barn, and the list goes on.  So as you can see, in the little water tower town of Sutton, agriculture is key.  And that is definitely how I like it. 

So the next time you hear Water Tower Town on the radio, think for a second about the truth and stories behind those lyrics.

That's what she said...

Ashley

Educated Food Choices

Every Sunday morning during the months of May and June, my oldest brother Brett and I venture off bright and early to Lincoln to the Old Cheney Road Farmers Market.  We take tomatoes, european cucumbers, cabbage and a few pumpkin baked goods.

For some reason, at Nebraska farmers markets, tomatoes are the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for most market goers. They wait all year to come to market and buy fresh tomatoes straight from the growers hands. But over time I have began to notice a weekly trend.  Usually, every Sunday we get at least two customers who ask about the growing conditions of our tomatoes, in questions like, "Do you spray your tomatoes?", "Is there chemicals on these?", "Are these grown in dirt?". 

So before I continue here is just a quick overview. Our produce is not organic and we do use fertilizers.  We also use pesticides and herbicides if needed.  When growing produce in a greenhouse, one bug problem or plant disease can damage an entire crop and that is a risk that we as vegetable growers feel we can't take,  so we will spray if the inevitable happens. But we are very cautious and caring of our environment and crops and do not use chemicals when unnecessary.

So now back to my story.  A few weeks ago we had several incidents in one day involving customers questioning our growing practices.  Now let me just say, I have no problem with either organic or non organic, but I am not just talking about those two, I am also taking about corn fed beef vs grass feed beef, free range vs confinement and many others. But what I do have a problem with is when it comes to food choices and consumers making choices before educating themselves as to why they are choosing one over the other. 

So I ask you, are you making educated choices when it comes to food? Or are you just assuming one is better and listening to television personalities or social media to make your decisions.  Farmers and ranchers work extremely hard everyday to produce high quality and safe food products for each and every consumer, so we as consumers should return the favor and work hard to educate ourselves about where our food comes from and how it is produced before we make a decision.

that's what she said...
Ashley

First Things First...

-->

Hi All, my name is Ashley and I hail from a large farm located in Sutton Nebraska. I am a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln with a degree in Agricultural Business and minor in Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship (we will talk about this later).  And I am very excited about my first job in the real world as the Director of Communications at the Nebraska Cattlemen! 

So first things first, AGRICULTURE = MY PASSION.  You may be asking yourself why, because trust me I get that question often.  So let me give you a quick rundown.  

Like I mentioned, I grew up on a large farm in south central Nebraska.  Quick fact, 98% of American farms are family owned and operated, and mine is no different.  Our farm is operated by my farther, my mother, my uncle, my cousin, my two older brothers, and our two employees.  It is definitely a big family affair when it comes to working on the farm.  We raise corn and soybeans and also have a cow calf herd.  But what makes us unique, due to my oldest brother,  is the fact that we also operate a pumpkin farm, a vegetable production greenhouse, and also produce value - added ag. products(don't worry we will talk more about this later as well).

So as you can tell agriculture runs deep in my blood. It is the lively hood of my family and also a majority of those around me.  I have grown up with alove for the soil and livestock and the knowledge of all things we as farmers create for the world.  I am grateful for being raised on farm because without it, I would not be the person I am today.  So it has become my goal in life to give back to the AMAZING world of agriculture, which has given me so much in my short 21 years.  So I hope you will enjoy my thoughts and maybe learn a little about the world of agriculture and life on a Nebraska farm along the way.

...that's what she said

Ashley