While on the surface, this community activity may seem trivial but too me it was a reminder of one important lesson all farmers and ranchers overlook, Building a Relationship.    Opening the world of agriculture to the unaware begins with a welcoming smile.

I personally get caught up in the negative attacks on agriculture and easily forget the foundation in building trust of the consumer: Being the face of agriculture, a trusted source providing the many products agriculture supplies to the world. As a farmers it is important that the consumer trust us.

During the Santa Workshop, the students of the Cerro Gordo FFA may not realize at the time that they just become a friendly ambassador to their chapter and the world of agriculture. As the number of generations decide not to return to the farm, it refreshing to see new faces on the horizon promoting the agriculture community. FFA is a great opportunity for non-farm children to explore the different career paths of agriculture and learn in general the truths of agriculture. Who knows in 2, 3, 5 years maybe the same children coloring on an ornament at the school last week maybe the next FFA Officer and Outstanding Member of the Agriculture Society.