As I grew up, I moved between big cities such as Granite City, Collinsville fifty-fifty Edwardsville. Until I finally settled in the modest town in Jersey County, IL. About of my family unit stayed in the large city and worked their twenty-four hours in 24-hour interval out jobs for large cooperation'due south like Schnucks and Sears. So, they never had a connection with agriculture. But non knowing what I want to exercise in my future. Left me pondering for many nights where I was going to end up. Finally, graduation from high school came along and I was making good grades then, so I got a few offers from colleges and ended up at Blackburn higher where I met Arvin Pierce. Being a beginning-generation college student, I was looking for guidance. Arvin assisted my chemistry professor during a few labs, and nosotros would do some small talk. He invited me out to run across Blackburn campus bees on a sunny spring day in the jump of 2019. This is where I grew curious of the entire concept i individual could work equally a slice to an entire unit of measurement. This is when I went habitation and study these insects through YouTube and college extensions. Learning as much equally possible was the goal. Within a month later I bought two packages of bees (a package of bees is a modest, wired box with one queen and xx,000 bees).

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is snapchat-231310752.jpg

Nosotros bought Ii packages for a total of twoscore,000 bees and two queens.

"The world could not be as beautiful as it is today without Bees. Information technology's about the smaller things leading to the big picture." – Arvin Pierce

I took them domicile that day and put them in the next twenty-four hour period due to how late it was becoming, and it was raining that day. When the next day came, we moved the two packages outside and put them in a Langstroth box that is composed of wood on each side, a bottom archway, a wooden top with a sun reflector on it. Composed inside theses boxes is ten wooden frames in the middle of each frame is a sheet of plastic coated with bee wax to promote building of comb.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is screenshot_20220413-163904_snapchat.jpg
Hither is a picture of one of the packages moving into the beehive.

I am wanting to plow beekeeping into a career in the future and market myself across the United States. The kickoff proper noun of my company is Tri-Canton Bees, simply I changed my proper noun in January to Flyin H Subcontract LLC. I am grateful for the opportunity alee and will continue to help the people in my area start their own colonies. I even put my number all around my expanse for swarms that are in garages, sheds, even houses. I think anybody can do their part by helping the bees just by planting some flowers each year. currently I am up to almost twenty hives and cannot wait for this coming bound and summer.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is fb_img_1649988736490.jpg
Hither is a picture of my dad and I working bees final twelvemonth

Nigh the Writer

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is screenshot_20220414-211531_facebook.jpg

Hi, my proper noun is Cameron Humphreys I am a senior at Western Illinois Academy pursuing a degree in Agricultural Business organization. I am from Jersey County where I grew upward virtually my life. After Higher, I plan to beginning a farm and proceed pursuing my teaching through extensions effectually the Us. Pictured is me in my bee adapt helping a neighbor with his bees. Cheers for reading my story.



"Ask not what your country can practise for you, but what yous tin can do for your country" – John F. Kennedy

Like many who grew up in pocket-size rural communities in the Midwest, I take always been surrounded by agriculture. My loftier school was located in the middle of several corn fields. Many of my friends worked on their family farms and even sold their family'southward sweet corn out of the parking lot for students, friends and families to enjoy. Fifty-fifty though I grew upward in a customs that revolved around agriculture, I had very picayune knowledge about it. At the fourth dimension, the merely perception I had of agriculture was how hard working, passionate and defended farmers are to their customs and their ain livelihoods. This is something I take always admired, appreciated and respected. Whenever I thought near the the American farmer prior to becoming a student of agronomics, I thought of 3 things; perseverance, difficult work and patriotism. This isn't just something I based off assumptions, because anyone can work difficult, be passionate about what they do or have a sense of duty to assistance their country. Information technology was something I witnessed myself while growing upward. Farmers are some of the most hardworking, driven and patriotic individuals I take always met throughout my life. I have e'er believed the two most patriotic kinds of people are soldiers and farmers, because they sacrifice so much to provide for so many in our country. E'er since I was immature, I dreamed of becoming a soldier to serve and protect our country that has provided millions of people a improve life. Growing upward in a very patriotic family unit, I learned the importance of the American dream and how we need patriots like farmers and soldiers in society to go along it alive.

My story begins when I was a Junior in loftier school and I had a lot going on in my life and decided I needed to make a big change If I was going to succeed. I was approached by an Army recruiter from the Illinois Army National Baby-sit during luncheon interruption and he looked at our tabular array and said something I would never forget, "I like coming to rural communities like this one considering we always find the nigh patriots to join." He went on to explain that high schools in subcontract communities generally have more students enlist into the The states Military out of high school than in areas with large populations like the neighboring Quad Cities because, "people who live in rural areas are typically more patriotic, willing to serve a greater purpose and more likely to serve their country." According to the recruiter, small rural schools like mine usually outcompete the largest schools in the expanse every bit far equally total enlistments. The conversation was really eye opening, because it confirmed what I already believed near patriotism in rural areas. By the time he ended his speech, I was sold. It wasn't the benefits or opportunities that convinced me. It was the passion, motivation, and sense of duty for a greater cause in his voice that convinced me to enlist. I knew this was the opportunity I was looking for to better myself.

After convincing my parents to sign an age waiver since I was only 17 at the fourth dimension, I was sent to the local armed forces enlistment processing station and enlisted in the Army National Guard in November of 2015. Since I opted into the split selection program, which allows you to enlist at 17 without a GED or high school diploma. I had to await until the summer of my Junior yr to transport off for Fort Benning, Georgia which is the home of the Infantry. This is the best job in the Army, if you asked someone who served in the infantry. For those of you reading who don't know, the Infantry is the principal land combat force of the Army also referred to as the "queen of battle." They sleep in the dirt, march throughout the day and nighttime to fight the nations enemies anywhere or anytime regardless of the weather, terrain or enemy in times of state of war. In the Regular army, you meet people from all corners of the world that speak many different languages and have completely different walks of life. Although, we are all different in many ways, we all had the same mission and goal that bound u.s.a. together. This mission was to serve our country and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. During our training, nosotros learned virtually the Army values such as loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor integrity and personal courage. These values are the building blocks that create a culture of respect, excellence and team piece of work. In just two months of bones training, It's amazing how close you become to individuals that were complete strangers but yesterday. In August of 2016, I graduated BCT and returned home to finish high school. Graduation was a bitter sugariness moment considering it was tough to say adieu to the people I learned to call my blood brother.

BCT graduation and award ceremony. Photos by: Angela Nichols

Upon returning home to finish loftier school, I felt like a completely dissimilar person. I was more than motivated, disciplined and prouder than e'er earlier. Considering our training grade began with over 210 trainees and we only graduated 147, I was very proud of myself for persevering through one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life. I had achieved something many people in my life didn't think I would be able to reach. It was great to see their reaction when those people who doubted me learned that I not only succeeded, but I was distinguished in front my entire chain of command at Fort Benning. I was awarded the best marksmen challenge coin during our graduation ceremony. Later graduating high school in 2017, I shipped off to Fort Benning, Georgia again to complete my Infantry training known as advanced Individual training. At AIT, soldiers larn how to get effective at their private jobs. This was the last pace to achieving my childhood dream of becoming an Infantrymen in the The states Army and bring together the ranks of millions of Americans who are currently serving and those who served earlier me. When an Infantrymen graduates AIT, they earn a blue cord that is worn over the right shoulder of your uniform that distinguishes you as an Infantrymen.

Wearing my blue string inside the National Infantry Museum. Photo by: Angela Nichols

Once I had completed my training, I came to Western Illinois and began classes in the autumn of 2017 to further my education. At first, I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to study, simply subsequently hearing about the well known police enforcement program here at WIU, I decided to seek a degree in law enforcement in the hopes of one day becoming a Law Officeholder. Beingness a educatee and a function time soldier was difficult to balance at times. I would regularly accept to miss class so I couldn't procrastinate, but I learned how to manage my schedule well. In 2018, I got a telephone phone call over winter break that inverse my life forever. My National guard unit had received orders to mobilize and begin preparation to deploy to Afghanistan. In the blink of an eye, I had to drop everything I was doing. I had to brainstorm focusing on the bigger motion-picture show, because I had a lot more to worry about at present. I couldn't complain though, information technology was what I signed up to do from the first. I was only a sophomore at the time. I was excited and pumped up, merely likewise nervous at the same time. I had no thought what to look over there too what the older guys had to say about their feel, during their prior gainsay deployments. Ane 24-hour interval I'thousand a student and at present I am being sent overseas to a very unsafe land, where many American lives have been taken. Not very many 20 year sometime students become told their being sent to war, particularly over a phone call and then I was pretty shocked. Many of the immature soldiers in my unit were students. Later on months of prepping and training, our battalion was declared combat ready. The next affair I knew, I was on a flight from Fort Bliss, Texas, headed to Kuwait and from there we hopped on a C-17 Globemaster transport plane on a one fashion trip to the country commonly referred to as the graveyard of empires, Afghanistan.

I'll never forget the day we landed at our first duty station in Afghanistan, because it was September 11th. I was only three years old when the events on 9/11 occurred, so it was crazy to think virtually the the fact that I was now carrying a rifle in the same war that began when I was however learning how to speak and walk.

Fresh off the helicopters at AP Lightning

While I was in Afghanistan, I was stationed at Advising Platform "lightning" in the Paktika Province on the Pakistan border for ii months and then was relocated to Army camp Dwyer in the Helmand Province for the remainder of my bout. I served as a rifleman, crew serve weapon gunner and was the designated anti-UAS defence force specialist. I also was a member of the quick reaction force, which is a rapid response unit of measurement capable of reacting immediately to enemy contact. We conducted base of operations defense operations and basis patrols in the surrounding area of our frontwards operating base to monitor and disrupt enemy activity. It was an experience I'll never forget. I met people and soldiers from all over the world, experienced the civilization of Afghanistan, made lifelong long friends, and made memories I'll cherish for the remainder of my life. If there's ane thing I learned from my experience in Afghanistan, information technology'southward how lucky nosotros are to be Americans and live the lives that we do. After what seemed like forever, our ix month deployment was over and it was time to head back stateside. I was greeted at the airport past friends and family who were pretty eager to come across for themselves that I was indeed still alive. Now I had to shift my focus in one case once more and end school which definitely took some fourth dimension for me to adjust back to normal life.

Some of my favorite photos from my deployment

So yous're probably wondering, "What does any of this accept to do with why he chose agriculture?" Well, when I returned to Western Illinois in the fall of 2020, I decided that law enforcement wasn't what I wanted to study any longer. While I was thinking about my future after college and what I wanted to do, I thought about what made me want to join the military in the showtime place. To give back to the country that gave my family unit everything. I idea well-nigh how the American farmer and the American soldier were in many ways alike. Perseverance, selflessness, difficult work and discipline are just some of the common characteristics of farmers and soldiers. As I mentioned earlier, I always admired the American farmer and those who work in agriculture for their contributions and devotion to our country and countrymen so I felt that seeking a degree in agriculture would best fulfill my desire to continue to give back to my country. Not necessarily because of similar characteristics, but because I wanted to work in a career with individuals who shared a common goal of providing for our country. Later irresolute my major to Agriculture business and I began taking classes, I fell in love with program and I knew I was in the right place. I would have never guessed that I would exist involved with agriculture, but here I am.

Nigh the Writer

Photo past WIU Visual Production Eye

How-do-you-do everyone, my name is Scott White potato and I'grand from Rapids City, Illinois. I served in the Illinois Army National baby-sit for 6 years and wish to continue to serve my state through agriculture by helping our farmers. I am currently a senior here at WIU seeking a degree In Agriculture Business organisation. After graduation, I intend to work in agriculture sales. Give thanks you for reading my Web log!

Growing upward on a farm and showing cattle my whole life, I e'er knew that I wanted to be autonomously of the agriculture manufacture. After researching colleges to keep my teaching, Oklahoma State University seemed like the best fit for me. I applied to a couple different schools, but Oklahoma Country felt like it was the best place for me to further my educational activity. I went on a visit my Junior year of high school to bout the campus and meet with an advisor to await at what school would be similar in Stillwater, and immediately knew that it was where I wanted to be.

Adjusting to life on campus

As August rolled around and it was time for me to movement into my new home 11 hours away at Oklahoma State University, it soon became a very eye opening experience coming from a town of 2,000 people to a campus that had 25,000 students enrolled when I arrived and it became a very stressful first few weeks. I had to learn an area that I knew nothing about and meet a whole new set of friends. Once I got adjusted to my new surroundings I felt more comfortable as I got more than involved on campus and met new friends, adjusting to living on my own and getting a better experience for college classes. Equally the twelvemonth moved on I felt at peace with my decision, but I missed getting to go habitation and help on the farm, besides equally working on my show steers that year. So I got a task working on testify cattle to try to occupy my free time to not call up nearly the fact that I was 11 hours from home and couldn't make the short trip back to Illinois. But I knew that I was missing something, at that place was a slice of Oklahoma State that I desired and that was beingness able to feel at home on campus. I was in classes in large lecture halls where I didn't know anyone.

I started looking for schools that were closer to home and had a smaller school atmosphere, I had some friends who attended Western Illinois Academy and loved their feel, so in February of 2020 I decided to have a visit and the campus offered everything that I was missing at Oklahoma Land. The class sizes were much smaller with a lower cost of tuition and it was 8 hours closer to dwelling and so I could still be involved in the farm, besides as daily activities with my show cattle. COVID hit in the spring and we were sent home, and were fully remote for classes. This helped me to solidify my determination to make the transition to Western Illinois in the fall to finish my remaining ii years of schoolhouse.

"Western Illinois has a pocket-size town feel that makes you lot feel at dwelling"

-Case Hennenfent
This movie is from move in day at Oklahoma State in August 2019.

Moving to Macomb

In the autumn of 2020 I moved my things into WIU, and instantly felt at home whether I was in the class room or around campus, everywhere I went I felt that I was where I needed to be. I was able to connect with other students on campus and become a part of the community in Macomb. I was able to go back home and assistance on the farm during harvest, as well as have time to be able to work on my prove cattle. The class sizes allowed me to brand connections with fellow students when working on projects and studying for tests.

My conclusion to transfer to WIU and be closer to home, besides as feel continued on the campus. Through my ii years I have been able to build life long friendships that I will carry for the rest of my life. I also take built numerous memories during my time in Macomb. I was able to learn more about the agriculture in Illinois through my classes in the school of ag which has benefited me immensely going into my career this summertime.

This picture is with a group of friends on the Harry Mussatto golf form at WIU.

About the Author

My name is Grant Kuppler, I am currently a Senior at Western Illinois University. Pursuing a degree in Agronomical Business. I am from Hinckley, IL, where I grew up showing cattle, besides as working on my families' grain subcontract. After graduation I will be working as a Farmland Manager in Sycamore, IL, every bit well as continuing to raise show cattle and work on the family farm.

When I get-go started school at WIU, I was an eager/nervous freshman that didn't really know what career to pursue. I was a Biological science major at starting time because I wanted to become into Physician Banana schoolhouse after my undergrad. Luckily, I had to take a semester off due to being activated by the government to work COVID-nineteen clinics. I was activated for 90 days with the Army National Guard. During this fourth dimension I was able to reverberate on my school career so far and really think of my futurity after graduation. I realized that I wasn't happy with my current major and I needed a change. I decided to make a alter and pursue a career in Agriculture.

I am not your typical agricultural educatee that comes from a farming family, and so I felt similar I was a step behind at times during my first semester. That didn't discourage me though because I knew that there were many opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom. I am from a pocket-size town that thrives from agronomics, so in many ways information technology has always been around me. I didn't really get involved in agriculture until the summer afterward my senior twelvemonth of high school; I was offered a job as a crop field lookout for Bayer. I would get on and work every summer as a field scout until this past summer. All those summers of hard piece of work would pay off because I tin at present proudly say that I volition exist a product supply production intern for Bayer in Indiana this summer.

This is a pic of a hybrid seed corn field that I inspected daily this past summer.

New Beginning

Starting from scratch again was intimidating but I had a couple friends from my hometown that were in the School of Ag then I felt like I could autumn dorsum on them when I needed aid. One of them would eventually convince me to bring together Alpha Gamma Rho. I figured this would exist a slap-up way to brand friends and connections in the School of Ag. Looking back at present, I am very happy with my decision considering I take made lifelong friendships along the fashion.

Alpha Tau Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at the 29th Annual Smokin' Hog

I've always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself, that is why I joined the military right later on loftier schoolhouse. The military brings you lot many lifelong friendships and it pretty much is a fraternity as well. The civilisation/beliefs only make sense if y'all were apart of it at some point in time. The aforementioned applies for Alpha Gamma Rho. Existence able to strike upwardly a conversation with a war machine veteran is something I cherished after spending time in the military. Beingness apart of Alpha Gamma Rho gives me the verbal same opportunity in the agronomical community. It is a benefit of being able to relate to people across the earth who share the same beliefs you do.

"Alpha Gamma Rho simply isn't a order. It'due south an organisation that builds y'all and the people around you, while giving back to the community that supports it. Improving yourself and each other through brotherhood is i of the most genuine things I have been able to experience."

Cameron Kessling, By Noble Ruler

The School of Ag itself feels like family because everyone knows each other. I am proud to say that I am a member of the School of Ag and I can't wait to come across what else is in shop for me. I know for a fact that I made the right decision when I inverse majors. To anyone that is debating on changing majors/careers, remember that information technology is never too late. Anybody goes through life at a dissimilar footstep, so don't compare yourself to others.

Almost the Author

Ag Student Portraits Fall 2021

My name is Jesus Nava and I am a senior hither Western Illinois University, majoring in Agronomical Concern. After higher I hope to pursue a career in production agriculture. Cheers for reading my blog.

As a high schoolhouse athlete, I played sports for the same reason anybody in a pocket-sized schoolhouse played sports. I played sports to pass the time so I didn't have to work for my family twenty four- seven. Non many kids think about playing sports at the next level, and even less end up actually doing it. I was ane of the kids that did not  call up well-nigh sports in college. I had an idea for college and information technology was all about Agriculture. I had my scholarship for higher and I was set for ii years at John Wood Community College. Baseball was an afterthought for me. Merely I showed upwards to the tryouts to brand my parents happy. Little did I know that I was nigh to commence on a journey unlike anything I knew.

Tryouts went well. More often than not because they don't cutting any athletes at John Wood. All I had to practise was go on my grades up and go to do. I figured out chop-chop that baseball game, or any sport for that matter, at the college level was a full time job. Lifting, classes, study hours, actress hitting and a iii hr practice everyday was a full load. Information technology was new to me and I was learning then much in such a brusk time. I loved information technology! On acme of that, I was force fed forty other guys that I spent five to six hours with each day. Information technology was intimidating at kickoff but I learned to comprehend it at a rapid stride. Before I knew information technology, I had dozens of close friends and I was playing the sport I loved.

I was on acme of the world. I knew everyone at the higher and everyday was a good time. But every bit the spring flavour began, nosotros were informed that we might have to worry about getting a weird disease called the Coronavirus. None of us were worried because we had a big trip to Myrtle Beach to play baseball all week. After a promising trip, nosotros came dwelling house in loftier spirits getting ready for our next series. Nosotros had a meeting the following Mon to talk about new mandates. Little did we know that information technology would mean no more baseball. I was shut to home so I waited at my parents house until the virus settled downward. Needless to say, the season concluded before the virus fizzled out.

Information technology was time to become a real task and make some money so I could pay for fuel. That was all I was worried almost. I had from March until August to savor my summer. Simply things would not become back to normal since baseball was no longer the biggest part of my life. I had to be a normal homo again. I was more than a baseball thespian and I needed to show it. It was time to become to a bigger higher and be no more than a educatee. I simply knew two people that were going to Western Illinois University and one of them was my roommate. I knew Macomb only I had no clue how to do college away from domicile. I was terrified and I wasn't handed any friends like I was at my last college.

Luckily, my time of being alone hither at Macomb ended quickly. My experience equally an agile student does not die easily. There are several clubs and organizations at Western that go on me decorated, and they were crucial to my success in my social life. AgVocators club is a great case of how I institute friends upwards hither without being an athlete. I get to go to high schools and showcase everything Western's schoolhouse of agriculture has to offer. It is needless to say that there is much more than to life than baseball, and after twenty years, I'm finally enjoying what life has to offer other than athletics.

Hi, my proper name is Lucas Jansen. I am currently a junior at Western Illinois University. I am majoring in Agronomics Business, and minoring in Animal Science. I'yard excited to spend my final year a WIU earlier finding a local task that can grow my knowledge of agronomics. Thank yous for reading my web log, I hope you establish information technology interesting.

"Let Go Of The Past And Go For The Time to come. Go Confidently In The Direction Of Your Dreams. Alive The Life Yous Would Imagine."

-Henry David Thoreau

I have grown upwards with a strong passion for agriculture, and once I hit college, I wanted nothing more than to continue to pursue my passion. I grew up on a small family farm, with mostly horses and show pigs, simply always wanted to get more into livestock, specially cattle, and strengthen my knowledge. I honestly never saw myself potentially working on the academy farm as pupil worker with the livestock, just I am forever grateful, that I took the leap, and decided to work here. When the opportunity was originally presented to me, I wasn't going to take it, at that time, I didn't know what I know now about most livestock and can tell how much some of the experiences have impacted me already.

I was extremely shy and quiet when I first started last August, merely now, I can say that working out here has brought me out of my condolement zone and has brought me out of my shell. Even after I started, I idea I was manner over my head, I knew the basics, but non everything that I needed to know. Now, I accept worked some very long weekends, with calving, farrowing, and lambing seasons, which even though they were long and tiring weekends, they for sure taught me many lessons.

New experiences, brings on new friends-picture past Kristy Weidhuner

One big thing that I have learned, is to never be afraid to ask questions. Nobody out here expects yous to already know exactly what you lot are doing and how to do information technology, so when in doubt, ask questions. That is 1 of the biggest things that I struggled with when I started, but I gradually learned that the staff out here are wanting to help you lot learn, and then only ask when y'all have doubts about something. This is something that you really accept to remember when it comes to calving, farrowing, and lambing seasons, because there are a diversity of dissimilar things that could happen, that you can't wait/be afraid to telephone call someone to ask questions, even just for verification of what yous already thinks needs to be washed.

A picture I took of some of the babe piglets from this farrowing season

Before my fourth dimension at the farm, I had never seen the process of a calf getting pulled, artificially inseminating livestock, and many other interesting experiences, that I have now had the opportunity to experience. We are always on our toes and moving and then getting a head starting time on the side by side project. On the weekends, it is usa student workers that are required to do the chores and care for the livestock. We are usually paired upwards in pairs of ii, this is for safety reasons, but also gives us the ability to spend time with the other students and get to know them and their backgrounds. The students that piece of work out here, have all different types of backgrounds and knowledge, that each add their assistance, and knowledge to everything that we exercise.

If you are but coming to Western, or even currently attending, I encourage you to expect into a student piece of work written report position, no matter what your degree type may be. At that place are enough of, work report positions available through the higher, that you lot potentially help y'all go the experiences and cognition that you need/want for your future. When I started college, I knew that I wanted to practise something with agriculture, but couldn't make up one's mind what I wanted to do. Working on the farm has helped me determine that I want to discover a career with animals, no thing what that may be. My words of advice, when given an opportunity that you aren't sure about, take the spring, you never know where you will end upward, and how information technology will assistance you lot if y'all don't.

Hello everyone, my name is Hannah Nelson, I am currently a senior here at Western Illinois Academy, majoring in Agronomical Sciences. Later on graduation in December, I hope to find a career related to livestock, and deepen my knowledge of agronomics. Thank you lot for taking the time to read my weblog, I hope yous enjoyed information technology!

Growing up I was not connected to agriculture at all, or at least that'due south what I idea. My parents were retired and did not accept a farm or anything that would actually connect me to agriculture. This was not a problem for me because I did not know anything about farming. All I wanted to practise was work on cars and bring together the military machine. I didn't care most school or what I was going to be when I grew up because I thought I already knew. That was until this sugariness quondam lady from my church decided I needed someone or something to keep me busy and out of problem. This lady is my "adopted grandma," she gave me the commencement stuffed animal I e'er owned which was a cow named Bobby. She told me she had a farm with big cows that I could visit whenever I wanted. I took her upwardly on the offer and visited the farm, from that day frontward I fell in honey with agriculture.

Here is a motion picture of our cows!

After high school I decided to join the Army, but at that place was one status. My parents made me promise that if I joined the Army I would have to go to college considering it was free. I agreed and here I am, but this isn't the end of the story. When I got here, I had no idea what to practise, I was a outset-generation college student with no one to assist me. I chose supply chain management every bit my major based simply on the fact that my dominate at work had done that in school. Come to observe out that was a mistake and I needed to modify my major. While looking at the list I plant out that Western offered agriculture degrees which I never knew until that moment. I decided to switch to agriculture because I knew I would do well and have an actual interest in what I was learning. That was the best decision of my life, I love every bit of it and at present know that I have found my passion. That brings me to the championship of this blog.

If yous practise what you dearest, y'all'll never work a day in your life

-Marc Anthony

Ever since my switch to agriculture and being able to work on the farm and really gain feel in my field I accept come to truly love what I do. That is such a stress reliever considering I know that no affair what for the rest of my life I will exist doing something that makes me happy. This is something that I wish everyone could experience and I want to exist able to be an abet for the ag community also equally everyone. You lot demand to find something that you lot truly beloved to exercise so that you won't be working for a living you are just only doing what you dearest.

Pictured is my family farm

About The Author

How-do-you-do, my name is Collin Solorzano I am a senior here at WIU pursuing a degree in Agricultural Science with a Minor in Agronomy. I am from Rock Island county where I grew up farming and raising cattle. Afterwards college, I program to work as an agronomist and continue my military machine career. Pictured is my God-daughter Lily! Give thanks you for reading my story!

By: Katie Riggins

My family and I are in the corn field this fall. Photo take past Kortney Orr with Bewetiful Moments Photography

Ten miles south of Macomb, IL is where Riggins Farms has been for the past 100 plus years. Currently at that place are three generations of Riggins' working on the farm. My grandpa, Jerry Riggins, my dad Andy Riggins, and myself. Having iii generations working together may seem like it tin be incommunicable, sometimes it can exist, but near of the time information technology is about learning from one another. Lessons we can learn from older generations can exist some of the best lessons we can learn in a lifetime. Most of the fourth dimension I am the one learning from them, merely at that place are times when I tin can teach them a lesson or ii. Finding a fashion to communicate tin can be a struggle sometimes, but information technology is possible if you work together. Hither is just one example of my family finding a fashion to work together in our family subcontract.

My Grandma and Grandpa Riggins with me a the McDonough County 4H Fair

One part of the farm, that all three of us take pride in doing together, is loading out hogs of our two hog barns. Everyone has a role to play, and communication is key to ensure that the task is completed in a timely way. Granddad and I sort the hogs in the pen, while dad loads the semi truck. My role is to be the inbetween daughter, this ways that I take the hogs from the pen to my dad. He gives me the number of hogs he needs and I bring them to him. When I get back to the pen I tell granddad how many pigs dad needs and so we get them. As I have gotten older and we take done this for many years we know exactly what to do when a sus scrofa needs to be sorted and then we can become just the right amount. Nonverbal advice with one another is what has grown between the three of us. Torso language between grandpa and dad allows me to know which mode I need to practice to help in the task getting accomplished. We need to be able to sympathize that clear communication is key to the success of quick and efficient work. Using the nonverbal advice and verbal communication with one some other has really allowed us to abound as a family unit.

The sixth generation of Riggins'

As I have gotten older I have learned how of import it is to be a good communicator. We every bit a family are constantly communicating with i another, no matter if it is working pigs or cows it takes a family endeavour to get the job done. Communication has inverse over the years. My generation finds it all-time to transport a quick text message or sometimes we would rather FaceTime if information technology is possible. While my dad is willing to communicate this way with me, my grandpa does not communicate this way. If he needs something and has some questions you lot can count on getting a phone telephone call from him, simply if information technology is a short message he will send a text. The lesson to be learned from him is that we need to exist adjustable to all types of communication.

In that location is ever a lesson to exist learned when grandfather is around. Here is my younger cousin Charlie learning at the McDonough Canton fair.

In today's world people are working much longer than they used to. Three generations working together is something that nosotros will all feel at some signal in our lives. Having a way to communicate and work with other generations will allow you to set up yourself apart from others. While working on my family's farm I have learned how to communicate with different generations. Communication through different generations tin sometimes change, only if we take the time to listen and understand where they are coming from we can reach anything that is placed in front of u.s..

Almost the Author

Photo have by WIU Visual Arts Section

Hello, my name is Katie Riggins. I am currently a Senior here at Western and am studying Agronomics Pedagogy with a modest in Brute Science, I will be doing my pupil teaching side by side spring with graduation to follow. While here on campus I currently serve as the 2nd Vice President of Sigma Alpha, Professional person Agricultural Sorority, am an AgVocator, and a member of Collegiate FFA. I take peachy pride in being the sixth generation to grow up on my family's farm, in that location is not much you can't do without hard piece of work and working equally a family unit. Cheers for taking the fourth dimension to read my web log today!

Growing upwards I e'er wanted to follow in my dad and granddaddy'south footsteps and get a farmer. My siblings and I for equally long every bit I can remember have always been a part of the subcontract. By the age of 4 or v, we were out following my dad and grandpa around riding in equipment, feeding the cows, and much more. My dream has ever been to come up back to the family farm and farm aslope my dad, grandad and perchance my siblings if they choose to besides come up back. We all still play a role on the subcontract helping out when we are not at school or in other activities. I have been blessed to farm with my family for as long equally I have, and hope we can continue this to pass downward to the generations to come.

Wright Farms: taken by Republic of chad Colby June 2021

Our farm is located in Bradford, Illinois. My grandparents Glen and Judy live on the subcontract at the summit of the hill and my parents, Todd and Joann, along with me and my 4 siblings live at the bottom. I have always enjoyed working with the old generations hearing stories near the "proficient ole days" and learning tricks and trades from them. Growing up on the family subcontract has immune me to learn from my grandfather and father very valuable life lessons. One of those important life lessons is that family unit is important. With us living and then shut, we see each other every twenty-four hour period of the week. There are days when nosotros eat both lunch and dinner with my grandparents and stay hours after but talking and smashing jokes. These are memories that I will be able to cherish long afterward they are gone, and stories I can pass down to generations to come.

One of our few family pictures 2019

Another life lesson that my mom and dad have taught me is to non be afraid to open up and educate the public on farming. Too many people live in rural areas, like Princeton, a boondocks of 7,700, people surrounded by farms who still do non know a thing virtually farming. My parents and grandparents decided 10 years ago that a good way to educate the public was to invite schools out for a field trip on the farm. We invite the second graders from Princeton schools and show them all the calves that accept been born in the spring and explain to them what we practise to help both the cow and calf thrive after birth. If the conditions is fit we then get out to the fields and show them the planting procedure. When fall comes and they are at present third graders we invite them back out and allow them to run across how the cattle take grown and their lives have changed and explicate how the calves they saw in the spring volition live out the rest of their lives. Then they go back out to the field they planted and they get to watch u.s.a. harvest and how we handle the grain in one case the combine has harvested it. Since COVID nosotros accept non been able to practise this, unfortunately, educating the young is very of import in keeping the public informed that farming is not bad as others portray it to be.

2nd Graders May 2016

Growing up on our family subcontract has made me into the person I am today. It has taught me lessons that I will remember forever. As a young child, I used to hate living on the farm. There were many times when all my friends would be out having fun and I was stuck at home working. Looking dorsum I am glad I had the upbringing that I did. Information technology has brought me closer to my family unit, taught me valuable life lessons, given me a strong work ethic, and taught me the importance of educating the public then they see how farms are ran instead of just believing what they hear/meet on the net. My parents and grandparents accept been fantastic role models for me and my siblings. I hope ane day I have kids and grandkids so I can leave a big touch on on them as they accept left on me and my siblings.

About the Author

How-do-you-do anybody, my proper noun is Judson Wright. I am from Bradford, Illinois and I am a junior here at Western Illinois University. I am currently getting my degree in Agronomics Scientific discipline. When I am not in school you tin can find me at home helping out on our family subcontract. Subsequently I graduate I plan on returning home and working with my grandpa and dad learning the ropes and then hopefully 1 day I can acquit on the farming tradition.

By Chod Morrow

Agriculture itself is an interesting career and passion for many people in our world. Which is why, for me, getting into it was quite intimidating. I am from the city for the most office but accept always had an involvement in the outdoors. I grew upward going to the ponds and fields to hunt and fish, and only overall preferred beingness outside rather than indoors. During these trips I got to see agriculture taking place firsthand, mainly because the places where agriculture is prevalent, so are fish and wildlife, therefore I was there too.

Published by: Western Illinois Academy

The outdoors was merely a segue into another interest of mine, agriculture. This is what influenced my determination on what caste I would pick, and in the bound of 2020, I decided I would get into the school of agriculture hither at Western Illinois Academy. This has been a dandy decision for me because of all the experience and opportunity that is presented to me here, through the agricultural program. This program helped steer a path for me in agriculture. For example, for a little while I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a livestock farmer. I had always had interest in animals and idea it would be a fun, notwithstanding challenging career. I felt rather confident I could do this, specially because of what I was learning daily. This was until I had to perform castration on multiple species and nearly passing out both times. That was a wake-upwardly call for me and quite a discouraging one. This was until I got the opportunity to explore other facets of agriculture. I took upward interest in the production and packing side of agriculture. One huge influence for this is my dad. He is a senior meat scientist and ane day I aspire to fulfill that position as well. Another part of agronomics that I found interest in, only never thought I would, would be horticultural and aquaponics. These seem to be rather niche sides of the agronomical market but strong markets at that. I establish it fascinating merely how efficient 1 could brand an aquaponics system and produce yields that are usually unheard of. It was also interesting to me how in horticulture we become over many other aspects of the discipline, rather than just growing plants. For example, Dr. Henning explained to us the affects that rainwater has on people mural considering the landscapes aren't designed to handle the water load caused past inefficient irrigation techniques and rainwater, and with that, he described multiple solutions on how this can be solved and implemented into a landscape design.

Published by: Western Illinois University

The reason why I go into such detail over these topics are because they clearly interested and inspired me, which I have found hard to find in near other classes in general. The Ag department at WIU is corking at trying to inspire you in anything they can that can benefit the agricultural community. The professors hither have played a major role in just keeping me interested in the subject matter. What I mean by this is the professors come up in with the same energy every day for the most function, that energy beingness ane of excitement. That excitement stems from at that place overall passion for agriculture that WIU ag professors have, and that especially goes for their given fields they are in. This excitement is contagious for the ones who find agriculture interesting and even if you lot don't detect that certain topic matter interesting, their excitement will take you leaving with some sort of noesis on the subject area matter, which is just enough to influence a newcomer in agriculture. I feel another great aspect of getting into agriculture at Western Illinois University is the uniqueness in the classes. What I hateful by this is agriculture at western is not taught regarding traditional academia, which in my opinion is a more feasible way to learn something. I have had multiple professors make the argument, "I practice not necessarily believe in the traditional grade of academia". In all my by experiences I accept found that to hateful for a more efficient and more interesting semester, typically resulting in me retaining more information. This has had the same affect on my brother as well. When me and my little blood brother, who likewise attends WIU for agriculture, hang out, nosotros often find ourselves going over what we learned in form, and furthering on conversations or discussions first brought up in class. We find this to exist so interesting that we tin talk about certain agricultural topics for hours, now for 2 boys coming out of the city of Wichita, and not a drop of agricultural experience our whole lives, I find that to exist quite incredible.

Published by: Western Illinois University