A single starfish

Many people have heard the starfish story. For those that haven't please read it before continuing. Now I feel the same warm fuzzies that everyone else does when reading the tale of one young person saving starfish lives, but applying the principle is a challenge.

You see, I live in the generation that has both the passion and the arrogance to believe it can change the world. We want to see sweeping change in politics, religion, our work force, and so many other areas. Having grown up hearing success stories of individuals who made those types of drastic changes, we wholeheartedly believe we can do the same.

I have seen the same idea among young advocates for agriculture. We want to tell our stories and make everyone join our cause and share our passion for feeding the world. However, we do not live in history books. Those who have made the great changes of the world had no idea of their influence. They were simply going about their business and tossing the starfish that came into their lives.

Today I shared coffee with a friend who did not grow up on a farm. After joking about hipsters and Whole Foods, the discussion turned to my feelings about HSUS. As I told my story with passion on my face, she explained that she understood, she may not tell all her friends how great ag is, but she did listen. I love blogging and Facebook as much as the next millennial, but engaging in a friendly conversation held greater meaning than any post or comment.

No matter what your passion is, sharing it is about conversation, not persuasion. Arguments get society nowhere, while open and honest conversation builds relationships. I may never reach hundreds of people with my blog, but I will and can have one face-to-face talk that makes all the difference.

'till the cows come home,
Ellie

Living the Dream

The American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Mo.

At age 6 I had one dream: to be a country music "singer." I even wrote and illustrated a story about how everyone told one girl that she couldn't become a country superstar and she proved them wrong. As I got older, I realized that my book would remain fiction, but that didn't mean I had to let go of every dream.

This summer I fulfilled another long-time dream. I was an intern at the American Angus Association in the Public Relations/Communications department. Getting to work for the Association was the familiar dream, but I had no idea how challenging and fun it would be to work with the PR team. They let me be a part of everything: from new ad ideas to television shoots, writing press releases and snapping thousands of pictures. I learned so much, but two very important things stand out to me.

First, I'm in the right field for me. Before this experience I was uncertain and nervous about what a job in ag communications would be like. I had a bit of fear that I wouldn't like working in an office or writing. After spending the summer writing 36 releases and having a blast in the office in Saint Joseph, I now feel more confident about what the future will bring.

Second, jump in and do everything. I was pretty familiar with Angus having grown up in the NJAA and raising my own Angus herd. I decided early on to be a "yes girl". Whatever needed done, whatever experience was presented, I would say yes. As a result, I not only got to know my co-workers better, but also got to travel to Tennessee and be a helpful part of the National Junior Angus Show.

There are so many stories I could tell here, from t-boning a coworker on a go-kart track to shopping for an TV interview table in a furniture store, and the 2 hours I spent waiting at a FedEx/Kinkos. The entire summer was an excellent experience and I thank the Association and the PR team for letting me live a dream. I'll keep holding out for a Nashville record deal. 

'till the cows come home,
Ellie