Nashville Singer and Pig Farmer Release Anthem for Ag
Do What We Do
Showing livestock doesn’t always make economic sense, says Jesse Heimer of Heimer Hampshires in Taylor, Mo. If you pencil it out on paper, there’s not a lot of logic as to why stock show families do what they do. From the outside, it may even look like a burden at times on the families who are committed to showing livestock.
That’s why Heimer set out to produce a song and music video that embodies what stock show families live, breathe and dream. He wants to help people understand why show families do what they do.
“For those of us that are in it, it makes perfect sense. There are all sorts of reasons why we do it. As the song says, ‘We don't do it for the money, we don't do it for the fame,’” Heimer says.
Adam Sanders says "Do What We Do" is a song all of agriculture can relate to.
“It’s What We Love”
A few years ago, Heimer created a series of videos to highlight the ancillary benefits of showing livestock. His goal was to help people outside of ag see that showing livestock was about more than just the animal and the ribbon.
“We took this really simple concept that there was so much more to the junior livestock experience than showing competitively in the ring. It was the time spent at home with family,” he explains. “It was the time spent on the road buying your animals. It was the experience you get while you're in the trenches doing the work. And then it was all the things that were possible after that career in 4-H and FFA.”
The response to the videos was incredible, but Heimer says he felt convicted to do more. A friend encouraged him to produce a music video. The challenge? He couldn’t find a song that fit the narrative he was looking for.
“And you can’t have a music video without a song,” he laughs. “I decided one day that I was going to have to write the song myself. Unfortunately, I’m not a songwriter and that is definitely not in my wheelhouse.”
Thankfully, one of his friends introduced him to Adam Sanders, a talented songwriter and aspiring country music artist. Heimer invited Sanders to perform at his sow sale in the summer of 2019 and began to plant the seed about his idea. Months passed before Sanders returned to the farm for another visit.
“I had to learn more about his industry, so I could have enough knowledge about his side of the fence,” Sanders says. “I think we spent months really talking about the idea of this. One day, it really just registered with me and it clicked. I remember writing down in my phone: ‘that's why we do what we do.’”
Adam Sanders recording the song in Nashville.
“Why We’re In It”
Sanders called on his friend Brice Long, a fellow songwriter to help write “Do What We Do.” It took a few marked-up versions, but they eventually landed on the song that is set to release on May 7.
“I wanted the song to be broad enough that it could appeal across facets of agriculture,” Heimer says. “I knew if we made it just about the show ring, we were only going to attract those that already believe the same things as me.”
The project started as an anthem for stock show kids and although that goal never changed, the video went down a different path than Heimer first expected. He wanted to create a music video that everybody in agriculture could see themselves in.
Jesse Heimer's cow herd made it into a few scenes of the video spotlighting U.S. agriculture.
“Deep In Our Roots”
As a young boy, Heimer recalls many swine breeders that were willing to help him get started raising show pigs. That's what brings Heimer the most joy now – returning that favor to kids who share similar aspirations.
After Heimer sold all of his sows in 2003 when he graduated from college, he says there was no one in his close circle of friends that encouraged him to stay in the pig business.
“Some time away and some reflection helped me get my itch back,” he says. “When I got back into the pig business in 2006, I thought I recognized opportunity. But even then, I never dreamed that the show pig industry would be what it is today in terms of size and scope and opportunity.”
Nearly 15 years later, this third-generation farmer says he’s still in the business because he truly enjoys raising pigs and working with the families who purchase his pigs.
“That's still why I do it,” Heimer says. “At my core, what still motivates and drives me today is helping kids have the same experience I had. I get to help kids live out their own dreams in this business, whether it's the kids that want to show at the county show or kids that want to be competitive at a higher level than that. Even beyond that, it's helping folks make progress in their own genetic programs.”
Adam Sanders shooting the music video, "Do What We Do."
“It’s What We Work For”
So, if the show ring isn’t about winning, what’s it about? Heimer says that’s a fair question. The stock show industry is competitive and arguably more competitive than it’s ever been, because more knowledge is available to anyone who wants to find success in the show ring.
There’s no question these kids want to win and achieve goals, but that’s not what it’s all about, he says.
“Kids that show livestock have so much more grit when they're done. They understand wins and losses, they understand overcoming disappointment. They've been through trials and tribulations that they are not going to learn anywhere else,” Heimer says. “Stock show kids have to show up. They've got to take care of their animals every day.”
In addition, he believes there’s a big animal husbandry piece that young people gain from showing livestock as well as an education that you just can’t learn from a book.
“There is tremendous value in the advocacy skills the kids develop that will stay with them as they grow into adults,” he says. “There is no stronger voice than the hundreds of thousands of kids across the country that show livestock who can talk passionately about meat, agriculture and our food supply. I think we have to do a better job of empowering those kids to be the messenger for agriculture.”
Four generations have raised hogs "on the hill" in Taylor, Mo.
“For the Pride That Runs Deep in Our Roots”
Regardless of what your role in agriculture is, Heimer believes this song speaks to the feelings of many about why they do what they do.
“I couldn't be prouder of how the song turned out, and how it all came together,” Sanders says. “It was just a natural fit. It took some time to make it happen, but God had a plan in all of this and how it shaped out.”
Learn more at Heimer Hampshires or Adam Sanders on Facebook. Watch the full video here.
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