I'm Back!

Hey there, friends! After a (way too long) break, I'm back on the blog. I keep telling myself I'll recap everything once life slows down. But at this rate, that will never happen. So, instead, I'm here to say, "Welcome to the chaos!"

I've been back in Iowa just shy of three months. Instead of settling down after the Why I Farm Roadtrip, of course, I decided it was a good time to mix in a few more changes. I bought a new car, moved from Ames to Des Moines, and chopped off my hair.

In the last 90 days, catching up with friends and family has been wonderful. Continuing my adventure as a freelance communicator has been stretching and humbling.

I've had the opportunity to share about my experiences on the road a couple times so far, thanks to the Sharkfarmer Podcast and the Iowa Women in Ag Conference. Right now, it looks like I'll be speaking to groups around the country about once a month. Speaker wasn't something I thought I'd ever be adding to my resume, but I'm excited to see where this shove out of my comfort zone leads. 

As I get used to having a home again, it's been a blast playing the tour guide instead of tourist. (Although I haven't lost my love of traveling.) To kick off August, a farmer, who's family I featured in Connecticut, was in town. I had a great time introducing her to Culver's and Iowan cuisine at the Iowa Tap Room. Having her around was a great excuse to check out the Beaverdale Farmer's Market in my new neighborhood.

Just last week, a family of California farmers I met through Twitter, was in town for a few days. It was great to introduce them to some of my favorite people at Iowa State University. We had a great time taking in the Iowa State Fair parade and relaxing over our Zombie Burgers. Once the fair began we didn't get much time together, but we were able to meet up one more time at the swine show.

At the moment I'm taking in Day 7 of #IowaStateFairThrills. I'm excited to share some of the stories I've found here through Growing America and others. It's time to get back out there with my camera, but I promise I'll be back soon. Thanks for reading!

Monday Motivation: Why I Farm Roadtrip Week 36

It's a new year, but my motivation is the same. The farmers I'm meeting on the Why I Farm Roadtrip continue to inspire me each and every day. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me in 2017!

I'm kicking off the year by revisiting these three farmers' stories. As always, you can click on their photo or the caption to read their whole Why I Farm blog.

Iowa farmer: Bryan Kuntz

“You can’t get up every day without thanking God for giving you the opportunity to come out here in the field, whether it’s harvest season, planting season, growing season, or winter planning. You only get so much time on this earth. If you can spend that time with your family and your friends, the people that are close to you, every single day, there’s nothing better. Even when commodity prices are terrible, there’s still nothing better than sitting here combining beans and unloading on the go with my dad catching me. There’s nothing better to me than doing what we’re doing today.” -Bryan Kuntz, corn and soybean farmer in Wapello, Iowa

Wisconsin farmer: Kat Becker

"I didn’t grow up on a farm but I farm now because I feel like I can’t imagine what it would be like to not go through the seasons. It’s beautiful, challenging and probably the best place ever to have kids. My kids have an awesome place to run around. I grew up in a big city and so I think there are some really important, amazing, and valuable things about that, but I think my children have a level of personal responsibility and freedom that most children don’t have. They can bike wherever they want, they know every vegetable variety, they understand where meat comes from, and they’ve seen us cut up animals. So I feel like they have this incredibly deep connection to food, but also to the seasons and the earth. Those are the things that I value the most." -Kat Becker of Stoney Acres farm near Athens, Wisconsin

Wisconsin farmers: Amber & Scott Shultz

"We’re a 5th generation family farm. We’ve been here since 1918. We’re in a generational change now and kids are coming back and working, trying to improve and better the farm. It’s a good way to make a living. It’s a good life. That’s why I farm, I enjoy it. To be honest with you, I get up every morning at 4 or 5 o’clock. The sights you see in the morning are the best part of the day. The geese out here, eagles, swans, and deer. The solitude, the fog, the sunrises, it makes the world go ‘round." -Scott Schultz, cranberry farmer in Warrens, Wisconsin, pictured with his daughter, Amber Schultz

This year I haven't made New Year's Resolutions or added anything crazy to my bucket list. Instead, I'm going to continue the challenge that I started last year. Each week, I try to live out the advice and perspective these farmers share with me. This week's post challenges me to be thankful no matter what, be mindful of my connection to my food and the earth, and enjoy the sights and sounds of my surroundings. I hope you'll join me. Happy Monday! Thanks for reading!

Wordless Wednesday: Iowa State Homecoming Fall 2016

Last week was Homecoming at Iowa State University. For the first time in five years, I wasn't on campus for all the festivities. I left town for the next loop of the Why I Farm Roadtrip right before all the fun began. I was disappointed to miss my friends and the football game, but on my way out of town I was able to visit campus just after the banners got set up. It was a gorgeous fall evening, so of course I brought my camera along.

The creativity of these banners impresses me every year. It's so fun to see so many different spins on the same theme. Maybe next year I'll make it back to Ames for Homecoming weekend. It would be great to catch up with my friends and classmates now that we're scattered around the country. Thanks for reading!