Christmas list

As Black Friday has come and gone, how are you doing on your Christmas shopping? Growing up in a farm family myself, I know how difficult it can be to find that perfect gift for your beloved farmer/rancher. Well fear no more because I have just the list of items that may help you complete your Christmas shopping. According to agriculture.com a DeWalt 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw is at the top of the list followed by a compact drill and driver set. Also, on the list is a Craftsman's Folding Clench Wrench Set among several other tools, books, games, clothing, and other miscellaneous items. To view the complete list of items click here  http://www.agriculture.com/family/great-christmas-gifts-f-farmers_327-sl20518.

For those country girls out there, show bling is extremely popular. Whether it is a bling belt, necklace, bracelets, or boots you can't go wrong with bling.

What is on your Christmas list? What has been your favorite gift in the past?

Give Thanks



Where would a girl be without her brother and sister?


Thanksgiving has snuck right up this year. I can not believe it is that time already! The years seem to go faster and faster with each flip of the calendar. As you sit down to a feast tomorrow with your loved ones, take notice of all who have prepared the food on the table. Not only preparation, but who harvested the produce for you? Who butchered the turkey? As the pilgrims were the first ones to partake in the Thanksgiving holiday on that long ago day, farmers are the ones who keep growing the food we all enjoy eating.

My challenge to you, is to count your blessings. What are you thankful for? I know this is an over used question especially on Thanksgiving but look at everything you do have; don't compare yourself to others, rather focus on everything you have that makes you you. I can  tell you right now, I would not be where I am today without the love and support from my family and friends. They truly are great, even though we may have our days as everyone has. Also, as much as I may complain about school and wanting it to be over, I am so thankful I have the opportunity to go to college; it really isn't that bad when looking at the big picture.  Finally, I am so thankful I was raised in the country because growing up on the farm, I know the value of hard work, honesty, and faith. So, what makes you who you are? Who has influenced your life? What are you thankful for?

Cream Cheese Roll-Ups

As Thanksgiving is only two days away, I wanted to share a recipe that is one of my favorites called cream cheese roll-ups. If you like cinnamon and cream cheese, then you will enjoy this recipe. It's quite easy to make as well. The recipe is as follows.

1 loaf white sandwich bread
8oz. cream cheese, softened
1/8c. sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2c. melted margarine
Cinnamon
Sugar

Trim crusts off bread; flatten each slice with a rolling pin. Mix cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Spread mixture on each slice of bread. Roll up. Dip in melted margarine and then roll in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place, seam-side down, into an ungreases 9x13-inch pan. May refrigerate at this point until ready to bake. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. Enjoy!

What's Your Brand?

For as far back as I can remember, branding yourself as well as your business has been a key in how much success you will experience with whatever it is you are trying to accomplish. As I look foward to graduation, I realize I must brand myself in how I want to be portrayed to future employers. Just as farmers and ranchers brand their livestock so they know where they belong, we must brand ourselves so people know where we come from as well.

Now, when I say brand I don't necessarily mean brand as in hot irons, but more so, how you present yourself along with your business. Logos, taglines, colors, fonts, pictures, and symbols among several other factors all come into play when deciding on a brand for your company. You want to create something catchy that will stand out in the business world and then represent yourself in a professional manner. The next time you want to promote a company (this could be a farming operation, show livestock, or your place of work) remember to create something people will be attracted to. By doing this not only will you brand yourself, but you will also attract potential clients.

Flint wins media award

Flint serving 'beef sundays' at the Illinois Beef Expo

The world of agricultural communications is filled with opportunity, but more than that it is a community of people who all share the same passion. In my experience, writing for a newspaper, discussing general issues versus writing for an agricultural audience is completely different. While I enjoy writing for the newspaper covering different news stories, I really enjoy writing about agricultural issues targeted towards the agricultural community. I feel they are so much more appreciative of your work. I’m sure anyone working in agricultural communications can relate to this as they find themselves dealing with similar issues. One such journalist, Josh Flint, who is the editor of Prairie Farmer will be honored at the Illinois Commodity Conference on November 22 as he will receive the ‘Excellence in Media Award’ distributed by the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

Flint grew up in Rolla, Missouri which is about 100 miles southwest of St. Louis. Growing up in an agricultural environment, he wasn’t expecting to end up with a career in agricultural communications. He graduated from Truman State University with a degree in journalism. Flint had dreams of writing for a large daily newspaper, but as time went on he realized he wanted to write for a more tailored audience. Farm publications seemed to be a natural place for Flint to be as he grew up around agriculture and the values/morals of that particular community have been instilled within him.

Flint really enjoys the writing and photography aspect of his job. To take a story, to interview multiple sources, to discover the different entry points for the reader, and to take the photographs to go along with it is what Flint truly enjoys about his job. He explained how he fits right into the agriculture community.

“When I got into this industry I knew it was a great opportunity, but I have really been overwhelmed with just how tremendous, not just the farmers, but everyone in this industry is. It is one big group and whether it is a seed company, commodity group, a farmer, an equipment manufacturer, everyone is so nice. There is just a sense of community. Once you get into ag communications, I can see why people have stayed in the industry for 30 years because it is hard to leave. You feel like these are your friends, they’re not just your co-worker. In news writing, you worry about burning bridges with sources, but I have never once thought about that because everyone is so nice and friendly that you’d hate to do that because you’re friends with them. It really is a great community,” Flint said.

Flint also said, for all you future journalists out there, that publications are expecting you to be able to do everything. What you’re told in class is true, editors want you to know how to write, edit, take pictures, shoot video, and utilize social media. This isn’t so much true for the larger publications as it is for smaller staffed publications, but it is still important to have experience with every aspect of communication.

Josh and his wife, Tiffany, currently live in St. Clair County. He covers the entire state of Illinois talking with farmers and attending agricultural conferences.

To hear an interview with Josh Flint, click here http://www.box.net/s/sgx3kklde9921ly4cf0h.

Note: I have submitted this post to Corn Corps http://corncorps.wordpress.com/ but I wanted you all to enjoy it as well!

Medicinal healing from swine

Swine have been able to improve human lives since the beginning of time. Whether it's a pork chop, a baseball, shoes, paint, chewing gum, or make-up products among several other items the swine industry definately has an impact on the human population. Not only is all the above true, but now swine has been found to actually save lives through medical practices. According to an article in the DRIVE magazine, swine can be used as a skin substitute by providing an environment which helps the pateint's body to rebuild and repair damaged tissue. Whether patients are suffering severe burns, potential amputation, or any other ailment dealing with skin, a layer of the swine's small intestine can actually heal under these circumstances. It can even help heal the lining around the brain and spinal cord, hernias, abdominal wall, and replacement tooth procedures among other things. In what other ways can you utilize the entire hog?

Women of Achievement: Diane Murray

I have been told college is a time in your life where you get to explore the world. There are so many opportunities at your fingertips that seem to fade completely after graduation. In my experience, college is a time of finding yourself while you become the person you are going to be for the rest of your life. By taking advantage of opportunities as they land in your lap, you will get to do things you may have never dreamed about doing.

Cattle in French countryside

This is so true. Everyone have their own goals to obtain as they make the best of their college experience. One such student, Diane Murray, of Jerseyville, Illinois has become quite the accomplished student as she takes opportunities as they come. A junior, double majoring in accounting and agricultural business, Murray has been able to travel the world experiencing agriculture practices in both France and China. She is actively involved in several clubs in the agriculture department at Illinois State University as well as completing a credit analyst internship at ProPartners Financial.

Murray was able to experience what life is like outside of the United States as she studied abroad in France this past summer as well as touring China. She was able to learn how the famous French wine is made and bottled as well as submersing herself in the French culture. She said a typical Sunday afternoon activity is a 50 mile bike ride down a road that is shut off from traffic so bikers can enjoy their ride. In each town the road goes through, concession stands will be set up for the bicyclers. Murray noticed the agriculture practices vary greatly in France from the practices of the United States.

“American agriculture definitely strives on being economical where French agriculture is more eco-nomical. They want to focus more on the betterment of the environment and not necessarily how they produce it, or who they produce it for. In America we’re all about the economy in that we want to produce the most for our dollar,” Murray said.

In China, Murray was able to take in the sites on a two week educational tour of the country. She said China is a lot more crowded than the United States.

As she looks into the future, Murray plans on seeing where the road takes her. She would like to ultimately end up working for an agriculture firm in the accounting aspect, or to continue on to law school to become an agriculture lawyer.

To hear an interview with Diane Murray, click here http://www.box.net/shared/xq967y2b4k05vvdyxujh

Vilsack celebrates USDA anniversary

Yesterday marked an exciting day for the United States Department of Agriculture as Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary, kicked off the yearlong 150th anniversary celebration of the USDA in 2012 at the Old State Capitol in Springfield.

Springfield is the home to of the USDA founder, Abraham Lincoln as he created the USDA in 1862. Lincoln realized the importance of agriculture as he noticed new ways to work land by means of new technology. Today, the USDA works to provide food for everyone by utilizing several food assistance programs including school lunches, food stamps, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). They also support many programs including agricultural education, 4-H, conservation community development, homeland security, and global trade. The USDA supplies food in times of disaster and leads the world in food safety.

 As the state of Illinois derives most of its income from farming practices, it is no surprise the USDA was founded here. During this next year take a moment to appreciate everything the USDA has accomplished, is accomplishing, and hoping to accomplish by visiting a historical website that has been created to highlight their accomplishments over the past 150 years.

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture

Tree Campus USA

Last week, I had the opportunity to help plant 50 trees across the Illinois State University campus. The university has every single tree native to Illinois planted on campus. ISU was chosen by the Arbor Day Foundation to host this large tree planting event because of how the groundskeepers effectively manage their trees, foster urban forests, and promote service learning through forestry management.

Along with several volunteers from various agriculture clubs to sustainability clubs, I was able to have an active role in this event. Beginning at 9 a.m. volunteers gathered and planted tree after tree. There was a press conference where the president of the university spoke along the horticulture club and student government presidents, and an Arbor Day representative.

To be part of something so huge was very rewarding. It was nice to step back and do something for others as this fast-paced society makes it so hard to do. I encourage you to find different ways you can give back to the community, or do something to benefit somebody else just because you feel like it. For years to come, people will be able to enjoy the trees that I have helped plant, and for that I am so glad I was able to get involved.