I ran across a comment about not being in agriculture for the money, rather doing it for the love of the lifestyle, land or the animals. During this time of year, I become more aware of all that we have. I’m thankful all our needs are met and all of our obligations were taken care of with the cow herd and our banker this year.
The comment got me to thinking about all the other times I wasn’t in it for the money. This past weekend, my son showed a steer at the Kansas Beef Expo for the first time. Any show can be a learning experience, and I was again thankful to have my sister and nephew at my side to show my son the ways of a regional beef show. We all were surprised his steer placed in his class in one ring, especially since it was his first show and all we wanted at the end of the day was a good experience for people and beast alike. Mission accomplished.
Back when I had a horse to run barrels on, it too was a learning experience, and definitely not a money maker early on. My parents never couldn’t afford to buy me a finished horse to compete on at college rodeos or barrel races. My failed attempt to buy and train my own prospect, led to me selling her and buying my brown mare at an auction. Let me tell you, that first week with a new horse was a humbling experience. But I stuck with it, and there was more than one time where a rodeo or barrel race check helped pay the bills. Again, it wasn’t because of winning those checks that kept me hooked, it was because I loved to compete and do better every time in the arena.
When my career in journalism started it was at a small daily newspaper in northwest Oklahoma. Straight out of college I needed experience, and at that publication I got it. I went to community and school board meetings. I took photos at local events and reported the happenings in not only Woodward, but many of the surrounding towns. As a college graduate I was happy to have my first big girl job and adult money, but I soon realized living on that small amount of salary wasn’t very sustainable. Eventually I found my way back to agriculture, and once again, it wasn’t about the money, but instead having an outlet to tell the stories of agriculture through photos and writing.
In 2017 when the Starbuck fire and family conflict dashed our hopes of growing the Scott family cowherd on land that had been in the family for more than a hundred years, we held steady. Despite all the obstacles thrown in our path, we managed to make purchases we’d never have dreamed of when the fire torched the grass, barn and some of the cows. None of it would have likely worked out if it wasn’t for the will and tenacity of my husband, an understanding banker and me along for the ride. At this point in the game, six years later, having a cow-calf herd isn’t going to make you rich, but it will enrich your life in more ways than one.
There’s lots of things that make people like me tick. Wether it’s the ability to walk out to the horse pasture and listen to the horses munch on the grass or breath in their heavenly scent or the feeling when you walk into the show ring for the very first time with starched jeans and fresh shavings under your feet. Or when you walk out into the freshly plowed soil and inhale your lungs full of that smell of the earth. Most everyone in agriculture has things on the farm or ranch that make their hearts full despite the balance of their bank account.
What makes you grateful during the end of the year and the holiday season?
