Before I am anything, a woman or a student, I am a farm kid. 

The value of agriculture, work, and family provided me with experiences

That have shaped me:

The long days⸺some containing sweat and tears, and

Early mornings, waking up to the darkness at 4:30.

Walking into the parlor for morning milking, when everything is still, only hearing the silence.

Drinking my coffee in the parlor while milking, enjoying the sweet but bitter taste.

Feeding calves in the afternoon with cats begging for a drink of milk,

Moving heifers for eight hours straight, counting down how many more trailer loads until dinner.

Checking for newborn calves and watching as a new mother cleans her prized possession.

In the Winter, getting to watch heifers play on the white carpet of snow

as I button my overalls to fight the low temperatures.

Seeing the Summer sun shine, putting glitter on the cows while they rest in the free stall barn.

Riding in the fields with cousins and friends,

Working with ornery heifers for the fair, and

Helping repair machinery, when I have no clue what I’m looking at.

Cleaning out a barn, feeling like my arms can’t hold a pitch fork any longer.

My dad teaching me to drive the tractor, driven by three generations before me. 

Late nights riding in the tractor, only seeing the rows of corn ahead, and

Delivering field dinners as they rush to finish before it rains.

All this has made me. Shaped me. Taught me.

All in all, I am grateful for the place where I’ve lived, learned, and changed⸺ the farm.