you can live in the city but still love ag!

Well my name is Ashley and I am a college student at Illinois State University as an Agricultural Communications and Leadership Major. I grew up around farming and horses but live in a small town. I did not grow up on a farm, but I spent 90% of my childhood on my grandparents’ horse farm and other farms around the area. This just proves that you can live in the city but still love agriculture and be country! 

I have learned the ins and outs of what it takes to run a horse farm and train or take care of horses. The biggest thing I learned throughout the years is how to work hard and how good it makes you feel at the end of the day. I have learned to appreciate all the hard work my farm hands do to help me and my grandparents around the farm. Working with horses is such an amazing thing that I am lucky enough to be a part of. It is so much fun and is very rewarding when I finally accomplish something with my horse. Horses are very passionate animals and they each have their own personality.

Through high school and college so far I have been part of 4H and FFA. Both have been so much fun and I recommend it to anyone that is passionate about agriculture. Even if you are in college and have never been part of the FFA it is not too late. It is a great organization with great experiences and chances to make friends.

I also grew up around farmers. They put in so much time to help out not only our country but all the other countries we export with and for all sorts of different animals. I learned all sorts of different things about farming row crops like corn and beans, and different equipment that is required on a typical farm. Farmers are such wonderful people because they know what is important to grow their crops and help feed a nation of people and animals.

Both of these experiences have helped shape my life and how I am as a person today. Agriculture is not only a big part in my life, but it is also a part of every person’s life wither it be in the food they eat or the food they feed their animals. Agriculture will always be around.