As I travel across the countryside this week skirting on the outer edge of Chicago, I was admiring the miles of farmsteads with a diverse of operations from livestock to row crop. While I was admiring the historical barns that have been well maintained or the acres of white fences, I saw several of the large livestock operation had boldly posted “NO TREPASSING” or “NO ENTRANCE” Billboards at the entrance of the farm. As a fellow livestock producer, I did not give the signs a second thought but to the thousands that travel the two-lane highways in and out Chicago what does the sign say?

In a collaborate effort from Illinois Commodity Groups, a recent survey of 2,000 Chicagoans asking for their views on farming found that more than 50 percent of respondents think that farms are corporately owned. How did they draw that conclusion? A two second drive by an agriculture field proudly displaying a company seed logo. 

Should we take down the Signs?  

NO!

 ,          , and          

I knew when the price of gas began to rise the media outlets would begin finger pointing at agriculture for the increase costs of groceries in the supermarket.

• Higher corn prices increase animal feed and ingredient costs for farmers and food manufacturers, but pass through to retail prices at a rate less than 10 percent of the corn price change.
• Corn as an ingredient in food items make up less than a third of retail food spending, overall retail food prices would rise less than 1 percentage point per year above the normal rate of food price inflation when corn prices increase by 50 percent.

It is no secret historically that a career in agriculture has been male dominant. Oh, yeah I am going there but before my male counterparts hit the “X” to close the computer screen I challenge you to think just a minute of what you would say to your daughter in choosing a career in agriculture.

• Who found themselves in a employee position that never been held by a women before
• Who traded household chores with her brother to help her dad on the farm
• Who would rather shovel manure than clean the house
• Who runs the combine, fixes the tractors
• Who operates her own farming or ranching operation
• Who found themselves in meeting room full of males and did not hide in the corner
• Who passionately told the story of agriculture

I started the first Friday of Women History Month, with an Illinois Agri-Women career exploration event, “Women Changing the Face of Agriculture”, for the next generation of women ag professionals. Keynote Speaker, Colleen Callahan-USDA Rural Development Director for Illinois-started her inspirational speech by pointing out that on March 4 Illinois Agri Women were making History by providing a career event for current female high school and college students that was never available to Women employed in agriculture presently.

I dedicated Wordless Wednesday to a great group of Leaders.  The Officers and Directors of the Illinois Jr. Angus Association and the next generation of Angus Breeders. 

We will be here in 30 years raising our Angus Cattle!