AgrIInstitute changed my view on the world."Farmer/Ag Association Officer

Class 14 Members

  • Tony Aaron

    Partner ,Attorney, Ice Miller LLP
    Carmel, Hamilton County
    Educational Background: Indiana University School of Law, JD, Summa Cum Laude; University of Northern Colorado, MS, applied statistics and operations research; and West Point, BS, economics/system engineering
    Military Service: ’91-’99, US Army & National Guard, Captain
    Current Memberships and Leadership Positions: Safe Sitter, director, president; West Point Society of Indiana, Inc., director; Indianapolis Bar Association, Business Law Section, exec. committee member.; American Agricultural Law Association; American Bar Association; King of Glory Lutheran Church

  • Matthew Bechdol

    Federal Land & Natural Resources Lead at ESRI; Bechbill Farms, Inc.; Instructor, George Mason University
    Auburn, DeKalb County
    Educational Background: Indiana University, MBA; Purdue University, MS, agricultural economics; George Mason University, MS, geographic and cartographic sciences; Indiana University, BS, public affairs; Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, certificate in European public administration
    Current Memberships: Board Member, Brechbill Farms; Garrett United Methodist Church; Huntington’s Disease Society
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; Garrett Community Care Food Pantry; Purdue University, lifetime alumnus

  • Leah Beyer

    Director of Livestock, IN Soybean Alliance & IN Corn Marketing Council
    Flat Rock, Shelby County
    Educational Background: University of Illinois, MS, agricultural education, and BS, agricultural economics, commodity marketing
    Current Memberships: Shelby Co. Farm Bureau, vice president; St. Peters Lutheran Church; Shelby Co. Ag Promotion Committee; Shelby Co. Republican’s Women’s Committee; District 8 Farm Bureau Young Farmer Representative; Blue River Community Foundation, PR Committee

  • Kyle Bymaster

    Director of Development, Purdue College of Agriculture
    New Richmond, Montgomery County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, BS, agricultural economics/agricultural business management
    Current Memberships: Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity; Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette; Leadership Lafayette Board of Directors

  • Tamara Choat

    Director of Marketing and Communications, National Swine Registry
    Sheridan, Boone County
    Educational Background: Oklahoma State University, MS, international agriculture trade and development; BS, agricultural communication/animal science
    Current Memberships: Livestock Publications Council; Montana FFA Alumni; Central Indiana Make-A-Wish Chapter; American Farm Bureau; Indiana Farm Bureau; Hamilton Co. Farm Bureau

  • Danna Dolliver

    Asst. Agricultural Manager, Red Gold
    Alexandria, Madison County
    Educational Background: Indiana Wesleyan University, BS, management
    Current Memberships: Indiana Raw Products Steering Committee

  • Bradley Farrer

    Community Banker, Regions Bank N.A.
    Delphi, Carroll County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, BS, agricultural economics
    Current Memberships: National Pork Board Main Street speaker; Licensed IHSAA Basketball official; Carroll Co. Ag Association; Carroll Co. Chamber of Commerce; Delphi Preservation Society; Delphi Mayoral Planning Committee;
    Delphi Rotary Club, vice president elect; National FFA Convention Judge; Purdue Alumni Association; Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity; 4-H County Fair Models Aerospace and Toy Farm Scene Judge

  • Ana Hernández

    Senior Farm Manager, Perdue Farms, Inc.
    Thorntown, Boone County
    Educational Background: University of Puerto Rico, MS, animal industry; BS, biology
    Current Memberships: Indiana Wildlife Federation; St. Joseph Catholic Church; Spanish Interpreter at St. Vincent Hospital, Frankfort

  • Matt Hill

    Marketing Associate, Elanco Animal Health
    Fishers, Hamilton County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, BS, animal science
    Current Memberships: Indiana Farm Bureau; Geist Christian Church; Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity

  • Raylee Honeycutt

    Marketing Coordinator, CountryMark
    Indianapolis, Marion County
    Educational Background: Montana State University, BS, agricultural education; Northwest College, AS, animal science
    Current Memberships: National Agri-Marketing Association; National FFA Alumni Association; Indiana Farm Bureau;Marion Co. Farm Bureau; Clinton Prairie HS FFA Alumni; Indiana Women in Agriculture; Pike Township GOP Club; Indiana FFA Foundation

  • Greg Janzow

    Vice President/General Manager, Smith Dairy (Wayne Dairy Products)
    Richmond, Wayne County
    Educational Background: Strayer University, MBA, organizational leadership; Texas A & M, BS, chemistry
    Current Memberships: Richmond-Wayne Co. Chamber of Commerce/Grow Local Buy Local Action Committee; Jr. Achievement
    Richmond Community Schools, Study Buddy Program; Christ Presbyterian Church; Earlham College, Community Council; Reid Hospital, Community Benefit Committee

  • Timothy Keller

    Product Manager, Corn and Soybean Herbicides, Dow AgroSciences
    Westfield, Hamilton County
    Educational Background: The Ohio State University, BS, agricultural communications
    Current Memberships: Dow AgroSciences Habitat For Humanity Builds; Westfield Youth Sports asst. coach in Soccer and Football; Westfield Christian Union Church

  • Marietta Kendall

    Program Specialist/Production Adjustment Section, USDA, Farm Service Agency
    Washington, Daviess County
    Educational Background: Washington High School; IUPUI Continuing Studies leadership development for managers and supervisors,
    Current Memberships: Christ United Methodist Church; Habitat for Humanity

  • Bruce Kettler

    Field Sales Manager, Beck’s Superior Hybrids
    Westfield, Hamilton County
    Educational Background: The Ohio State University, BS, agronomy/agribusiness
    Current Memberships: Carmel United Methodist Church; Certified Crop Advisor; National FFA Alumni, life member; The Ohio State University, life member

  • Greg Kneubuhler

    Owner/President, G & K Concepts, Inc.
    Harlan, Allen County
    Educational Background: Purdue University BS, agribusiness management
    Current Memberships: Brookside Society of Prof. Consultants; National Assoc. of Independent Crop Consultants; Woodburn Missionary Church; Indiana CCA board of directors; Allen County SWCD associate board supervisor

  • Trenton Lindenman

    Product Development Agronomist, Dow AgroScience
    Otterbein ,Benton County
    Educational Background: University of Nebraska, MS, entomology; Purdue University BS, crop and soil management and agricultural education/minor in biology
    Current Memberships: Entomological Society of America; Agronomy Society of America; Crop Science Society of America; Calvary Baptist Church

  • Tiffany Obrecht

    Policy Specialist, Indiana Farm Bureau
    Indianapolis, Marion County
    Educational Background: Iowa State University, public service and administration in agriculture;
    Current Memberships: Marion County Young Farmers; Indiana Cooperative Development Summit Planning Committee

  • Donald Ratliff

    Vice President of Operations, Maple Leaf Farms
    Syracuse, Kosciusko County
    Educational Background: University of LaVerne, business administration/organizational management. ; Indiana Tech. Fort Wayne, business administration/management
    Current Memberships: Jr. Achievement of Northern Indiana; National Chicken Council; US Egg and Poultry Association; Indiana State Poultry Association.

  • Sarah Simpson

    Director, Agricultural Policy, Indiana State Dept. of Ag.
    Carmel, Hamilton County
    Educational Background: Valparaiso University, JD; Purdue University, BS, management and agricultural economics
    Current Memberships: Indiana State Bar Assoc.; US Equestrian Federation

  • Thomas Sloma, Jr.

    Crop Insurance Specialist, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America
    South Bend, St. Joseph County
    Educational Background: The Ohio State University, BS, agricultural economics
    Current Memberships: St. Vincent DePaul Society; St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church; Knights of Columbus; Indiana Soybean Association; The Ohio State University Alumni Assoc.

  • Scott Strickland

    Group Manager, Western Ohio Valley Region, Consolidated Grain and Barge Company
    Mt. Vernon, Posey County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, BS, ag systems mgt (major)/agribusiness mgt. (minor); AS, agronomy
    Current Memberships: United Way of Posey Co.; Purdue University Alumni Association

  • Randall Tauer

    Agricultural Liaison, Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management
    Monrovia, Morgan County
    Educational Background: Western Kentucky University, agriculture; Vincennes University, agribusiness
    Current Memberships: Indiana Simmental Association; Hoosier Beef Congress; Morgan Cattlemen’s Association; Alpha Gamma Rho; Indiana Quarter Horse Association; CCA Board; Fertilizer Advisory Board; Vincennes University Agribusiness Advisory Board

  • Kyle Tom

    Production Manager, Tom Farms
    Warsaw, Kosciusko County
    Educational Background: Blackhawk College, AS, agribusiness; Texas A & M, TEPAP
    Current Memberships: Optimist Club; FFA Advisory Board; John Deer Ag Advisory Group; Ivy Tech Board Member

  • Kevin Underwood

    Farmer/Owner, Underwood Farms
    West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, BS, agricultural economics
    Current Memberships: Crestview United Brethren Church; Indiana Farm Bureau; Tippecanoe Co. Farm Bureau; Tippecanoe County Council; Lafayette Church League Soft Ball

  • Walt Valiant

    Production Manager, Grain Processing Corp
    Washington, Daviess County
    Educational Background: University of Evansville, EMBA; Purdue University BS, chemical engineering
    Current Memberships: NACEA (India Missions), treasurer; Personal Finance Budgeting Workshop Instructor

  • Jennifer Vandeburg

    Agriculture Program Chair, Ivy Tech Community College, Kokomo
    Walton, Cass County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, MS, agricultural economics; University of Illinois, BS, agricultural economics
    Current Memberships: Faith Lutheran Church; Boy Scouts of America, Cub master; FFA National Convention Judge; American Rabbit Breeders Association; Indiana State Rabbit Breeders Association; National Giant Chinchilla Rabbit Association

  • Sarah Weibert

    Commercial and Ag Banker, State Bank of Lizton
    Indianapolis, Hendricks County
    Educational Background: Anderson University, MBA; Purdue University, BS agricultural economics
    Current Memberships: Boone Co. Foundation Ag Scholarship Selection Committee; Sigma Alpha Alumni; New Hope Christian Church; Hendricks Co. Relay for Life

  • Bryan Whistler

    Regional Manager, Indiana Farm Bureau
    Bedford, Lawrence County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, BS, ag science & business education
    Current Memberships: National/Indiana Voc Ag Teachers Association; FFA Alumni Association; Bedford Masonic Lodge; Bedford York Rite; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Indianapolis Valley

  • Eugene Whitehead

    Owner/Operator, Seldom Rest Farms
    Muncie, Delaware County
    Educational Background: Purdue University, BS, agricultural economics/minor in animal science; Business Essentials Certificate, Ball State University
    Current Memberships: Muncie Young Professional Group; Liaison between Ag Community & local elected leadership; Delaware Co. Republican Precinct Committeemen; Delaware Co. Farm Bureau ; Delaware Co. Farm Festival; Corn Growers Association; American Soybean Association; Delaware County Pork Producers Association

  • Lucy Whitehead

    Program Manager, National FFA Alumni Association
    Indianapolis, Marion County
    Educational Background: Purdue University BS, agricultural communication/entomology
    Current Memberships: Marion Co. Farm Bureau; Purdue Musical Organizational Advisory Board; American Ag Editors Association; Indiana Pork Producers

Curriculum Schedule

Class 14 Seminar Schedule

Seminar 1 July 8-10 2010 Donaldson
Annual Golf Outing August 31 2010 TBD
Seminar 2 Sept. 9-11 2010 Columbus
Seminar 3 Dec. 2-4 2010 West Lafayette
Seminar 4 Jan. 13-15 2011 Indianapolis
Seminar 5 Feb. 27- March 5 2011 Washington DC
Annual Auction March TBD 2011 TBD
Seminar 6 April 7-9 2011 Warsaw
Seminar 7 July 7-9 2011 Muncie
Seminar 8 Sept. 8-10 2011 Terre Haute
Seminar 9 Dec. 1-3 2011 Vincennes
Seminar 10 Jan. 12-14 2012 Hammond
Seminar 11 Feb. 18-Mar. 3 2012 TBD
Seminar 12 April 19-21 2012 Indianapolis

Class Blog

Follow the Class

This class blog is different than the main blog here at AgrIInstitute.org. This class blog allows class members to reflect on their experiences throughout their journey. It is meant to discuss key diologues, thoughts, and experiences.

Also check out our program podcast series. You can listen directly from the website or subscribe to the feed.

Balancing Social Responsibility & Profitability
January 31st, 2011

Most of our class will remember the excellent tours (and tour guides) that showcased the fascinating research and development facilities that Dow AgroSciences has constructed and continues to expand upon.

The innovative workforce of Dow AgroSciences has made the company successful and has given the organization the opportunity to become an active leader in benefiting society. Altruistic causes such as Noble of Indiana serve both the local community and the company. Additional examples like Kids Against Hunger and the United Way are organizations that The Dow Chemical Company Foundation support to improve humanity and social well being worldwide.

The definition of social responsibility is an ethical ideology that an organization or individual has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Kenda Resler Friend and Tim Maniscalo expressed the goal of the foundation is to effectively distribute money where needed, and the foundation is always looking for major impact opportunities to support.

In your life you are balancing so many responsibilities (work, family, friends, relationships, leadership programs, etc.), does social responsibility take a back seat? Or do you weave social responsibility into your daily lives?

Eugene

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Who cares if you send “Franked Mail”?
January 17th, 2011

Ever wonder what it is like to be a freshman again? Try managing through your first term as a Congressman. Our team had a great opportunity to go through a computer simulation on the factors that can effect a campaign strategy.

Pete Hanebutt and Chris Fenner from the Indiana Farm Bureau lead our class computer simulation. While we were trying to understand what we were doing and how to vote on issues and pick activities, Pete would find his way around the room engaging us in discussions that had no purpose and asking questions that had no meaning. In most cases we had between 3 minutes and 30 seconds to make decisions. I learned quickly that when you don’t vote for the correct Congressional Campaign Committee chair, you get “punished” and put on horrible committees. Also, if you don’t pay attention to your staff…they quit! And you always want to send franked mail every time you can, to help raise funds for your reelection.

This was a very interactive activity that kept everyone on their toes. It also gave a brief glimpse into the tough decisions you have to make right from the start as a new member of congress. The good news is….We got REELECTED!

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Purdue Agriculture: More than Cows and Plows
January 17th, 2011

What is Purdue Agriculture other than cows and plows?

As a Purdue student scurrying from class to class, ok wandering around, the ag school campus I often wondered what was in some of these buildings that seemed to be in my way and slowing me down from getting to my classes.

Well, as ALP Class 14 found out, Purdue is a lot more than “cows and plows”. We toured some the non-traditional aspects of the ag school campus. Our tour included the Harwood Regeneration Center, Wood Products Lab and the Phil Nelson Food Science Building.

The Hardwood Regeneration Center works on helping Indiana’s top ranking hardwood industry. They conduct research to improve current timber stands, develop better quality trees as well as tree health.

The Wood Products Lab was started during World War II to develop better quality gunstocks. Since then the lab has developed a revolutionary truss, called the gusset plate truss, which now the industry standard. The lab helps the furniture industry by testing furniture designs.

While visiting the Phil Nelson Food Science Building, we saw the pilot lab where new food processing equipment is being tested. The sensory lab was the next stop in the food science department where new food products are tested by volunteers. The volunteers test food by evaluating the appearance, aroma and taste of the new products. The final stop was the very impressive enology library. The library is dedicated to Dr. Richard Vine and contains a very impressive wine collection.

So as you can see, Purdue Agriculture spans across several aspects of the industry.

On behalf of the ALP Class 14, I would like to thank John Baugh, Liz Jackson, Daniel Warner and Laurie Swift for conducting such an impressive tour.

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“Land Grant” University – by Bruce Kettler
January 13th, 2011

Seminar 3 Blog Posting
12/3/10 Purdue’s College of Ag Leadership

Did you ever wonder what the term “land grant” university means? Why, or is it, really important? Even though many universities have such a designation is it really important anymore?

ALP class 14 had the opportunity to see just how broad the range of expectation and obligations of a land grant university can be. Some leaders from Purdue’s College of Ag gave us an overview of Extension Education and the 4-H program. We discovered that influencing international agriculture development in far away countries starts at Purdue. There are even influences in Indiana agriculture that are part of Purdue’s obligations to the people of Indiana just because of its special land grant designation.

So from 4-H programs to collaborating with research departments of multi-national companies to helping college students learn about agriculture half way around the globe, Purdue University and the College of Ag will be there.

- Bruce Kettler

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Macro View of Agriculture – Dr. Mike Boehlje
December 29th, 2010

Seminar 3 began with a presentation from Dr. Mike Boehlje on a macroeconomic view of agriculture. Dr. Beohlje talked about how agriculture will experience higher capital costs as interest rates go up, which will increase the cost of ownership of assets. Every business has unique characteristics to consider, but my take away regarding his general recommendation for ag businesses was to consider paying down debt in the next 12 months to achieve a lower debt to asset ratio and locking in interest rates. The group also discussed the multitude of factors that will impact when our country will recover from the recession. These factors include exports, government spending, and consumer spending with business investment to follow.

I readily admit I was challenged by this subject matter and Dr. Boehlje’s chart! However, I found this discussion fascinating because it opened my eyes to all the external economic factors that impact agriculture. For example, Dr. Boehlje talked about how the financial markets are linked to the commodity markets and drove the restructure of the agriculture industry. I also learned how agriculture can look to other sectors for indicators, such as a large retailer that is building up financial reserves for later use at the current low interest rates.

This session got me thinking about agriculture in a global economic context and why it is important to look outside agriculture for economic opportunities and challenges.

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Indiana’s Education and the Workforce by 2018
December 14th, 2010

My 10 year old next door neighbor had a tiny shrimp living in a plastic cup with some sort of plant growing on the lid. When I ask him about it, he just rolls his eyes like I wouldn’t understand and said it was a project for GT. The Gifted and Talented program at the Thorntown Elementary school, a program offered at grades second to sixth. The students get together once a week for two hours and focus on science, math and social studies. My little neighbor loves it and gets really upset every time somebody mentions the possibility of cutting the program out of the school budget.

This kid is like many other Indiana kids that are being motivated in school to follow the path of math and science and has develop a thirst for knowledge. If I was a betting person I would put money that my neighbor will go on to finish a 4 year degree or higher. But in Indiana there are also a large amount of students that lack motivation to even finish high school and some others do finish but the education system fail to prepare them for a postsecondary education.

The future workforce in Indiana will require more applicants with postsecondary
education by the year 2018. Will our students be ready? Governor Mitch Daniels has new initiatives for 2011 to take on the education system from K-12, including an evaluation system for teachers. My question to you is what is your roll on this process? What is the roll of the future employers in develop the workforce of the future now? Why are we not getting more involved?

The shrimp died in less than a week and my neighbor wrote a report about it to present at GT. The next day he came home with a holographic bowl with a frog inside…I did not dare to ask what that was about.

- Ana Hernandez

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Brian Furrer & The 25 x ‘25 Vision
December 14th, 2010

Brian Furrer joined our Energy Policy discussion as a farmer; an ALP Alum from Class 12; and a thought leader behind the BioTown Ag effort in Reynolds, IN.  Brian covered a lot of ground, from macro level policies at the Federal and Global scale such as the 25 x ’25 project to micro level (if you call $7M+ investments micro) projects such as the on-going construction for a methane digester on his own farm.

The common theme I heard….farmers and ranchers can not only be a part of the solution….they are often in the driver’s seat.

What is 25 x ’25? The 25 x ‘25 vision is that by 2025, America’s farms, forests and ranches will provide 25 percent of the total energy consumed in the United States, while continuing to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed and fiber.  Fuel, food, feed, and fiber?  Agriculture continues to prove to the world that it is not a one trick show, that it can and will meet many of the world’s demands, and that by working together we don’t need an “us vs. them” debate.

At the local level, what is Brian up to?  More and less.  Less traffic, less manure, less odor, clean water, more energy? Who’s on-board?  Just about everyone….White County issued azoning exemption, offered a 10-year tax abatement, and continues to keep Reynolds, a town of around 500-600, on the map.

It all looks easy in a PowerPoint, but change is hard and getting everyone on the same sheet of music, even in a small community, is a heavy burden.  Brian, White County, Reynolds, ISDA, IDEM, and Gov. Daniels have shown that we can work together, we can think big but start small, and we will bring meaningful change and prosperity.  We have a long way to go, but it’s a great start….keep up the hard work.

Matt Bechdol, Class 14

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Dr. Jay Akridge & Dr. Gebisa Ejeta
December 14th, 2010

Dr. Jay Akridge

Dean of Purdue’s College of Agriculture is a well respected man within the University and rightfully so. He has a passion for Agriculture and a deep passion for educating the youth in agriculture. As I listen to his presentation of the glory of ole’ Purdue, I think back to my years trekking through the campus and realize students becoming boilermakers now are presented with so many opportunities that didn’t exist even ten years ago. The university is changing to a more leadership focus and the College of Ag is blazing this trail, offering students the opportunity to become certified in leadership. This concept is the next big fad you may say but as I witness companies and employers seek for candidates the word “leadership” is always at the top of their list. The students going through the college will have more opportunity to study under world renowned research scientists, have more opportunity to collaborate with other universities and other communities and be better suited to lead as professionals because of the focus the College of Agriculture has on leadership. Wish I could be a part of the new exciting programs and opportunities at Purdue!

Dr. Gebisa Ejeta

World Food Prize recipient, world renowned scientist, it was an honor to meet and listen to Dr. Gebisa Ejeta. But what surprised me most was his desire to understand who I was and from where I came. He did this to be able to relate to me and to find common ground. We chatted about FFA and National Convention, the changes to the Agronomy program and of course the weather… but what I got out of our brief conversation was a sense of value and understanding. Ejeta has the ability, not only with people, but in all facets of his work to understand the makeup of the situation and find common ground giving it value. He is showing that in his drive to bring food to developing countries, in his teaching at Purdue and the way he is impacting the world’s view on agriculture. Listening to him speak makes you believe the world is small and every single person impacts the dynamic.

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Food for Thought: Valuing the differences of others in your community
October 6th, 2010

Have you ever taken a moment to review your personal value structure when valuing others differences? For some, this might not be a major undertaking as they are already able to recognize and value those that are different or do not agree with them. But for some, this conversation might prove to be challenging, and starting the process of valuing others could be a key to success as you interact with others in the future. Check out the questions below and think about how you would answer them. Also think about altering your current value structure might change your answers.

  1. When defining your community, whether it be where you live or the people you associate with daily, how do you value their culture, opinions, religions, beliefs, etc?
  2. How do these differences effect the decision making of your community has a whole?
  3. Are there differences that are overlooked or ignored? Why? How does that effect the conversations?
  4. Do you truly accept and find value in the differences of those around you or are you being tolerant of them because it is the “right” thing to do?
  5. How can a community utilize these differences to have a positive impact on the community has a whole?

At the end of the day we must evaluate ourselves and our interactions with others to truly appreciate their beliefs and opinions. If we are better able to relate, accept, and welcome those who are different than us, we will be much better off in our day to day lives.

Kyle Bymaster

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Ever bitten off more than you can chew?
October 6th, 2010

Or considering ice cream, more than you can swallow – sounds like a recipe for a brain freeze. I had, and took advantage of, a chance to chat with Mr. Tony Moravec during our Friday evening seminar and it left me with an opportunity to ponder the title of this blog.

In the “early years”, Tony founded Blairex Laboratories whose primary products were OTC pharmaceuticals. Through good business sense, taking advantage of growth opportunities, and genuine hard work, the company has expanded four-fold with a strong, diverse line of products from saline to Boudreaux’s Butt Paste® line of baby products. When casually asked “How did you do it?” his response was simply “Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell.” Hmmm, sounds familiar.

Since our meeting, I’ve reflected on his response and have come to the conclusion that while to some degree this is the world I and many of us live in, the downside may not be worth risk. Said another way, what opportunities are there to work smarter and not harder? Enter a networking and learning opportunity such as the ALP. A variety of experiences and expertise surely has potential for all to minimize time spent reinventing the wheel, thus making those “bites” more manageable.

I look forward to adjusting to Tony’s current approach of living life like eating an ice cream cone – taking it one lick at time. Is it better to burn out, or fade away? For you 80’s fans, we’ll see if you know what song those lyrics are from. As for myself, burn out isn’t an option. Fading away, in the context of what Tony has accomplished would be just fine. So here’s to ice cream- especially if it’s from Smith Dairy!

By Greg Janzow

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BOOHOO, I Don’t Have a Mountain…
September 21st, 2010

As I listened to Sherry Stark, of Bartholomew County Heritage Foundation, last Thursday describe the town of Columbus, I found myself drawing parallels from a city perspective to our own personal perspective. The point she was making was that even though Columbus doesn’t have any flashy scenery like mountains or oceans, they do have positive traits to sell from an economic development perspective. Columbus has a work force with great work ethic and a great location right on the interstate.

As I looked around the room I could see talent far and wide, but the talents are very diverse. Some class members are excellent public speakers, some class members are excellent listeners, some class members are quite analytical, and some I’m convinced, could give a paid comedian a run for their money.

The point is this: we all have traits and attributes that contribute to a platform to promote agriculture. Don’t get so focused on the fact that you don’t have a mountain, that you miss your chance to showcase your strengths.

Always take your shot to help promote agriculture. Whether at work, on an airplane, or on facebook, take a minute or two to educate others. I just blasted a spa on a message board for filling their website with propaganda about organic food. I want a massage, not a misinformed lecture on production agriculture. That was my contribution today, what’s yours?

By Sarah B. Weibert

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