Before I delve into the main topic of today’s blog, I want to make a quick mention about mental health. Governor Branstad defends the plan to close two Iowa mental health facilities and there are threats of lawsuits being filed. What’s right? What’s the proper way to proceed?

Here in Franklin County IA, we’ve invited local mental health experts to attend our next Farm Bureau board meeting with the intent of becoming as informed as we can. Our board tries to make a difference in all areas of our community, not only with farm issues.

Last Friday morning I was on my way to an Ag in the Classroom board meeting, when an incident happened that made me even more interested in investigating mental health issues. I was driving down the highway – before daybreak – when an oncoming set of headlights suddenly crossed into my lane. No swerving, no slowing down. Those lights came straight at me! Without time to even click off my cruise, I took the shoulder.

Because this car came directly at me, it made me question the driver’s intent. Was this person suffering from health – even mental health – issues? Concerned that the safety of other drivers was a stake, I considered calling 911. But what could I report? It happened so fast, I wasn’t even sure if it was a car or pickup. Nonetheless, it was a wakeup call!

Now about what I really want to talk about this week…

While speaking at a 140 conference in Des Moines a few years ago, I shared how our North Central Ag in the Classroom program helps educate students about farming and its importance to our state. In attendance was Desmund Adams, who had grown up in Chicago. He asked why we don’t do Ag in the Classroom in Chicago. He shared how growing up he didn’t know meat came from an animal; he grew up thinking meat simply came from the grocery store.

Unfortunately, people without a direct connection to farming only know what they hear and see through images portrayed by Disney® cartoons or those in a Little Golden Book like Old MacDonald Had a Farm. Helping Iowa students know their food comes from the farm, not the grocery store, is a goal of the North Iowa Ag in the Classroom.

The vision for this program started in 1998, but it took several years to organize. An IRS 501(c)3 organization formed in July of 2004. Since then, North Iowa Ag in the Classroom has grown to five employees, who work with 28 schools in 10 counties, thanks in part to sponsors like Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. The AITC programs reached nearly 9,000 kids during the 2013-2014 school year.

It is one thing to create curriculum, but it’s an entirely different matter to have the opportunity to present that material in the classroom. I honestly believe in-person presentations by AITC staff are having great impact. Last year AITC reached another 571 students in special request. In the classroom with presentations on a variety of subjects. Classroom presentation, as well as farm tours, may be requested by teachers at any time of the year. Farm tours also are organized upon request, and last year 201 students went on tours of area farms.

North Iowa Ag in the Classroom provides students with a broad view of farming. Most AITC counties sponsor an Ag Fair Day, which last year reached 1,039 first through fourth grade students. Ag Fair Days allow students to learn about a variety of topics such as healthy food, conservation, livestock, farm safety, and machinery.

By connecting farming to food and the classroom, it’s my hope that we’ll help kids develop critical thinking skills. By improving the knowledge young people have of farming and food production, it’s our hope that the younger generation will know better than to accept information from Dr. Oz and the Food Babe as truthful and factual. If kids acquire more knowledge, perhaps such misinformation won’t be quite as effective.

Together we can make a difference! Contact Linda Anderegg about how you can support Ag in the Classroom efforts, or feel free to contact me for more information.

Guest Blog by Kaitlyn Bartling

I’ve struggled over the past several years to come to terms with the process of agvocating. I have honestly questioned whether my voice counts as an agvocate.

I am married to a farmer, who is a part of a Century Farm in Hardin County Iowa, but I work full time at a job that is not agriculture focused. I know there are as many views of agriculture as there are producers. Organic, GMO, natural, antibiotic free, free range, confinement, commercial – listing those made me feel political not agricultural. I don’t really care for politics. Since my agricultural experience isn’t always going to align perfectly with another producer’s reality, even in my own township, am I harming their farm story when I talk about ours?

I’ve hesitated to call myself an agvocate because I do not have amazing technical or creative skills to do musical parodies like the Peterson Farm Bros or Farmer Derek Klingenberg. My work removes me from our farming operation and daily chores. I have a blog, but it is really about my interest in creative writing. It chronicles the life that goes along with being a farmer’s wife and the meals I make along the way.

I only saw barriers and reasons I couldn’t be called real agvocate. Then I rediscovered something…

I have a deep and abiding dedication to this life I have made, standing next to my husband and kids. The ignorance of the consuming public about the basics of agriculture will impact my children’s ability to raise livestock and food crops, even as youth project participants. The masses of consumers who have no connection to or knowledge of how food comes to them will certainly impact the opportunities my kids will have to be involved in our family farm as another generation. These same voting consumers will impact the issues of food security and water quality for the world’s population. Most importantly, My Farmer’s Wife blog gives my kids a voice and an identity that is as linked to our family farm as the seasons are linked to crop production. If I don’t support and encourage them and my husband’s vocation, I’m not the mom and bride I set out to be!

I decided to begin to support other agvocate projects and develop a voice locally. I take time to write personal notes to other agvocates when I see them approach a difficult topic on a blog or news outlet. I involve my kids and husband in ways they are comfortable in reaching consumers.

My family agreed to submit a video for the “Happy” parody that Derek Klingenberg put together last year. The week this parody was released was the only time my son was willing to participate in preschool show and tell, and he talked to his classmates about the cattle in our clip.

When our daughter had a week to share with her 3^rd grade class, she chose to have her dad bring three piglets from our farrowing barn. She told the class what she does at our farm and asked us to talk about how pork is produced at our farm.

This year our kids will be giving out Ag-tines instead of commercially produced Valentines. We have designed ours from pictures that fit our interest. They are just from a publisher postcard template, but they serve the purpose of giving our kids a conversation starter.

Our family doesn’t have an amazing, high dollar, coast-to-coast, super charged communications platform. We wouldn’t know what to do with it if we did. We do have a willingness to engage with others and give a little time on a regular basis to think about incorporating agriculture into the everyday world of others. We can’t be afraid of telling our farm’s truth while still respecting the place and the value of other farms that may not be exactly like ours.

It has taken some time, but I’m finally ready to say I’m an agvocate. I hope you’ll join me!

There has been a lot of chatter since the American Farm Bureau Federation recently presented a Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor, to Dr. Temple Grandin during the 96th AFBF Annual Convention.

“There’s no question that Dr. Grandin’s work has transformed the livestock industry,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Her groundbreaking (livestock processing) systems have become popular across the country for their capacity to reduce animal fear and stress while making handling and transport easier.”

While Mr. Stallman says there’s no question that Dr. Grandin’s work has changed the livestock industry, I believe we raise a few questions: How many of these changes were based on science rather than emotion? How has Dr. Grandin moved the conversation forward between foodies and farmers? How does autism affect how she’s perceived?

One thing I do know for certain, Grandin’s achievement award has been a conversation starter among farmers and ranchers for the past 10 days or so!

Farmers and ranchers use science every day! How I take care of pigs is all based on science, and yes, a little instinct. Feeding these pigs in a controlled environment and keeping them healthy has been done through research and experience – that’s science! Many of the words and terms I use to explain how and why I farm are like a foreign language to non-farmers.

“Emotions” are a universal language. When I traveled to the Ukraine a couple years ago, I found that scientific terms did not translate but the Ukrainians could see my passion (emotion) for crops and livestock. We discovered common ground through the passion and emotion.

So not only do we have a problem speaking the same language, science can be interpreted in different ways. For example, the Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is claiming the rivers from which they draw water are more polluted now. If you study DMWW’s own data, however, you can clearly see the nitrates have decreased 25 percent in the past 15 years. Of course, that information doesn’t work in to their emotional plan to sue three Iowa counties!

But back to Temple Grandin… I had the opportunity to hear her speak in Des Moines a few years ago. She explained all that she has done for cattle, and not being a cattle guy, I couldn’t argue with what she was saying. When she started talking about pigs, however, I could tell right away she had no experience raising pigs. Her presentation condemning gestation stalls was based on just emotion!

Temple told this crowd of Iowa farmers that we “had” to get rid of gestation stalls because consumers would demand that we do. That is just plain wrong! I have personal experience raising gestating sows many different ways, and I can tell you these stalls were designed for the welfare of the sow! There have been several studies (real science) that show, given the choice between being in a gestation crate or in with a group, she picks the crate over 90 percent of the time. Why?

Sows feel comfortable being in a crate, similar to how some dogs prefer to be inside their kennels when they feel threatened. My dog, Tucker, feels safer inside his kennel. Sows are the same way… and I’m fine with using “emotion” this time to help people understand pork production.

I’m not fine, however, using “sensationalism in place of science” as Trent Loos goes on to explain. A sixth generation United States farmer and host of the daily radio show, yesterday Trent outlined some reasons why “Temple Grandin is the greater threat to the future of a domestic food supply than all of the animal rights groups combined.”

Here’s an excerpt from Trent’s article, “Choose a Better Path,” that published January 19, 2015, by the High Plains Journal:

“One of her (Temple’s) favorite sayings is, “Gestation crates for pigs are a real problem. … Basically, you’re asking a sow to live in an airline seat. … I think it’s something that needs to be phased out.”

Here again she comes to that decision based on emotion and not one shred of science. She leads the discussion regarding sow gestation housing by saying the consumer chooses pork production systems with group housing. However, in every study done that compared the two systems, when sows were allowed to choose they preferred to go lay in gestation stalls rather than in the group housing area. So are we doing this for the pigs or not?”

When Temple tells farmers how to raise livestock to appease consumer’s emotion instead of using a science-based way to raise livestock, everyone – and the animals – lose!

Marriage is marriage, whether the couple is living on or off a farm, as Jody Dvorak so wisely reminded me last week when the two of us were chatting about ABC’s reality show “The Bachelor”.

“A supportive spouse is there at the end of the day to listen, to understand that her needs don’t come first every day and to provide a safe space for her husband,” said Dvorak.

Words of affirmation are a love language for all men, according to 10 Secrets of a Happy Marriage as penned by author Karen Kingsbury in her bestselling book Forever. Women need respect and nurturing. Always show appreciation and remember to say “thank you.”

While both partners must “work” at a marriage, I’m focusing on what women can do. Why? Iowa bachelor Chris Soules has a worldwide stage now, which provides an opportunity to showcase Iowa in particular and agriculture in general. Last Monday on TheFieldPosition.com we addressed 5 misperceptions bachelorettes had about Iowa agriculture during the season premiere. Today I’m offering marriage advice from experienced farm wives.

The following 5 Tried and True Pieces of Marriage Advice are the result of me sifting through Facebook comments and emails from my farm friends and summarizing them for bachelorettes:

1. Keep the faith.
2. Never doubt for one moment that you are loved.
3. Date nights are weather dependent, regardless of the season.
4. Learn to speak “farm talk” or “ag talk,” an unofficial love language.
5. Enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Keep the faith. “Pray for safety for your ‘man’ and for patience to sustain you throughout the season,” as Chris Cornelius of Andrew, Iowa, wrote lovingly in a letter to the lady who is now happily married to Chris’ oldest son. Farming is a consuming business. Both the body and mind are taxed during the busiest seasons of the year. Remember, “This too shall pass.”

Never doubt for one moment that you are not loved. There will be weeks of long hours and sacrifice,” adds Chris. During the planting and harvest seasons, recognize it’s “not about me,” it’s about the business. “Farming is a matter of attitude.”

Attitude is everything, agrees Laura Cunningham. Growing up on a North Central Iowa grain and beef operation, she knew what to expect when she married a farmer. It’s also why she chose to become a third generation Iowa farmer herself! Laura and her husband Aaron are partners in SkyView Farms. Aaron focuses on raising row crops and feed for their livestock. Laura’s focus is the cow-calf operation and marketing their locally raised beef products.

On the other hand, Jody Dvork says she was clueless about how long a farmer’s hours are. “Before cell phones, it was tough to know what was going on in the field or even what field he was in! I also didn’t realize how much time I’d be spending alone.”

It’s times like this when many supportive farm wives look for opportunities to rendezvous. Laura and her husband share a May birth date. Sometimes they share birthday cake in the tractor cab. If it’s too windy to spray or the soils are too wet to work, the Cunninghams may find themselves celebrating their birthdays with a boat ride or a day at the lake. They spent their fourth wedding anniversary with a romantic picnic in a field of beautiful purple flowers – never mind that Aaron stepped down from combine and took time out from harvesting monarda.

“Date nights during planting and harvest equals time in the tractor or combine with your husband,” shares newlywed Jenny Dewey Rohrich on her Prairie Californian blog. “Dates during any other time of the year besides winter equals checking crops. If you want to see him or spend time with him, this is where you will be.”

Most dates are weather dependent. Unlike your non-farming friends, you’ll be happy for rain on Saturdays in the summer adds Jody Dvorak. “Rain means you may go to a movie or out to dinner with your guy, and your guy is usually happy for the rain because it makes his crops grow.”

Know that a majority of the conversations during your meal time will be about farming, advises Jenny Rohrich. Farm talk will become table talk during supper. “Talking farming” is a love language. It’s okay to let your farmer talk; you can practice your listening skills. J You will get to hear all about how the crops are growing. You’ll get an update on commodity prices. You’ll probably hear about equipment that broke down, equipment needs or his equipment wish list.

Regardless of the season, weather is always a favorite topic of conversation. Weather dictates what farming operations can be performed during spring, summer and fall. Summer weather plays a major role in crop yield, which greatly affects farm income. And in Midwest during the winter, weather dictates whether or not you’ll be leaving home. Prepare yourself for delays, postponements and cancellations due to inclement weather.

Even though Iowa’s average daytime temperature in January is 15°, you’ll find beauty in the countryside. While the constellations are a sight to behold in the fall and summer, they shine even brighter on a cold winter’s night. On the coldest days, you’ll find beauty in the form of sun dogs. Sunrises and sunsets can be brilliant, too.

Learn to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.“I really enjoy sitting around the fire pit and admiring the view,” says Jody. “Even though I rode the city bus to hang out with my friends on weekends as a kid, I’ve learned that my little town doesn’t need a mall or even a spa to be awesome. I cherish the friendships I’ve made here, too.”

It’s possible for a woman who wasn’t raised on a farm to find happiness on one, but Jody advises the bachelorettes to know what they’re in for! Here are three things she wishes she would have known:

• That “slow time” between harvest and planting seasons is pretty much a myth. The work is hard, and the laundry is dirty. When that pricey equipment breaks down, you’ll just shut off the stove, throw the kids in the car, run to pick up your stranded farmer. Later that night, you eat gluey potatoes and are happy that everyone is home safe and sound.
• Most of that beautiful corn growing in all those fields you drive past doesn’t end up in cans of Del Monte niblets. The majority of Iowa’s corn is made into livestock feed, and there is definitely a difference between “feed” and “food”! Field corn goes into feed; sweet corn goes on your supper table.
• Strategically choose your seat at the annual seed dinner. Make it a point to stop and “tie” your shoe casually as you pass one of the banquet tables. If you see a red dot under one of the chairs, take that seat. There might be a centerpiece or Latham® spatula in your future!