to my struggling friend in college

College is a series of triumphs and defeats, with the defeats seeming to come more often than the triumphs. As a high school student college looks so fun. Why? Because the people you follow on Instagram don’t post pictures of themselves crying with stacks of homework, the D they made on their first exam, or their planner full with four tests in one week. This scenario accurately describes my first 8 weeks of college way better than the posts on my very own social media. I think we want so badly to look like we’re having the time of our lives, but the truth is, we are all struggling at least a bit.

To my struggling friend,

We talk often, but it took a while for me to notice that you’re feeling defeat. I am sorry for that. But you are not alone. I know college is hard, and it’s beating me down too. I don’t know how to be this dedicated, or how to study. Some days (actually most days), I’m not sure I even know how to read.

I’m stressed too. When we talk, I mostly tell you about the fun I’m having and you usually do the same. Yeah college life is fun, don’t get me wrong. But the work load is so much and the classes are hard. I often feel like I’m in way over my head. Not only is college hard, but being an adult in general isn't easy. We’ll both get through it though. I believe in you more than I believe in myself most days.

I miss you a ton and I think about you often. I am happy that you made friends because I made some too. Not even a thousand miles can change our friendship. I can’t wait until I see you again!

If you get a bad grade and need to cry, call me and I’ll cry too. When you study so hard and finally get an A, call me and I’ll celebrate with you.

Don’t let college get you down. You are stronger than that. Think of all the people we know with college degrees; if they can do it, we can do it!

Xoxo,

Your also struggling friend

P.S.   I should’ve been studying, but instead I wrote this blog. I’m thinking about you, so cheer up soon! I am proud of you no matter what.

we need to advocate for agriculture, now more than ever

Promoting FFA, 4-H, the fairs, and agriculture is so important to me. I especially felt it was my duty to do so while I served as the Somerset County Fair Queen. But now that I have passed on the crown, I still feel that as a member of these organizations and as an agriculturalist in a generation far removed from agriculture, it is still my duty.           

On Tuesday, Dr. Temple Grandin lectured in my Animal Science class at Texas A&M University. She provided us with a wealth of knowledge, but one fact that surprised me was that more than 31% of people today have never been on a farm. Meaning that a lot of people only experience agriculture at county fairs or stock shows and many get their “facts” from radical animal activist groups on the internet. Because everything you see on the internet is true, right? WRONG. So she stressed the importance of promoting the agriculture industry, education, and the actual facts.

There is so much we can do as agriculture enthusiasts to combat the negativity that is so often geared toward the industry we love.

Dr. Temple Grandin, who is famous for her animal welfare systems, spoke of the importance of following proper practices on our farms. I see it so often at the county fair, frustrated exhibitors struggling to get their animal to the show ring; animal and exhibitor both in distress. This commotion often draws me in. If it catches my attention, chances are, it will definitely catch the attention of visitors. Then, rather than remembering the outstanding group of senior showman exhibiting their livestock in the ring, they’ll remember that scene of struggle between the exhibitor and the animal; putting a negative thought in their mind about the livestock shows. That’s why it’s so important to put in time at home so we can set a good example at our fairs.

Another thing that happens at livestock shows is that the public is there, but we just mind our own and don’t talk to them. Many people have questions and we don’t take the time to answer them. I think about this a lot with the PA Farm Show coming up because many of the visitors are from the city and their experience there is a huge part of their exposure to our industry. It is our job to educate, because no one else will.

One of the statements Temple made that she was most adamant about was “don’t let the FFA programs die”. Programs like FFA and 4-H are the most important ways to promote agriculture because they teach the youth and the youth are the future of agriculture. About 10 years ago, I knew nothing about raising a pig, goat, or steer. I had no idea about the abundant career opportunities in agriculture. I was just an eight year old kid that thought showing a goat looked pretty cool. Now, 4-H and FFA have changed my life.

PETA often uses social media to bash our industry. We can use social media to show our friends and the world that farmers are not stupid, that 4-H and FFA are great programs, that we love our animals, and that we would never think of harming them. 

Today's farmers continue to be the backbone of America, with the average farmer feeding 155 people. As agriculture enthusiasts, we need to set a positive example, educate, and take advantage of the many ways we can promote agriculture, now more than ever. 

when your best friend goes to the army

In life, growing up and going separate ways from your friends is inevitable. The whole way through school we think about our future; where we'll end up, where our friends will be, and the people we'll become. Often, we find ourselves and our friends in places our elementary school selves never imagined. Though we all graduate and go our separate ways, it is all different when your best friend goes to the Army.

When your best friend goes to the army...

First, you say you're so proud of her and happy for her. You talk about the benefits; paid education, job opportunities, discipline. But at the same time a whirlwind of emotions hits you. Thoughts of boot camp and the tough road ahead of her flood your mind, but you remember how strong she is and you're no longer worried. Then, you think about how much you'll miss her. And then, the reality that she could someday get deployed sets in. But once again, you remember how strong she is and you just stick with being proud. 

The time before she leaves for boot camp flies by, but you spend that time carefully, treasuring every memory. 

When she leaves, you cry a lot, and she reminds you it's "only for nine weeks and why the heck are you crying like a baby". At that point you realize once again why she is the one going to the Army, not you. 

While she's at boot camp you will miss her. But you go back to snail mail and write many letters because that's all you've got. So much joy is found in those letters, especially the first one you weren't expecting or anticipating. You also pray for her, a lot. Surprisingly, that time flies by. 

When she graduates boot camp, you're proud again. So proud. 

When you can finally talk again, after boot camp, you realize how small your petty problems like waking up for an 8 a.m. college class are. And you learn not to complain again, because she won't want to hear it after all she's been through. You also learn she's not the crazy kid she was when she went into boot camp. But you accept that, and love that, because she makes you proud. 

When your best friend goes to the Army, you are a little prouder to be an American. You find yourself standing a little taller for the national anthem and saying the pledge a little louder. I think one of the most honorable things a person can do is serve our great country.  So when your best friend goes to the Army, she remains your best friend, but also becomes your hero.

battling homesickness

 “I can’t wait to get out of this school and this town.” I see these words tweeted all the time from kids in my hometown. I hear them so often when I am home. Personally, I don’t know how many times I said these words during my senior year of high school. Probably a lot. So I searched long and hard for that college far, far away. I thought Texas would be a perfect escape; Texas A&M University, warm weather, new people, Nolan, & independence.

It was perfect at first. I had a cute little apartment to decorate, thousands of organizations I could join, friends to make, and endless opportunities. So I jumped in head first. But then I sank. I found out quickly that decorating is expensive, so are groceries, school supplies, and basically everything in college. I didn’t get accepted to the only women’s organization I applied to (a common problem for a confident freshman). And I quickly learned that if you find a friend in a class of 350 people, but don’t get their number, chances are you probably won’t see that person again. Believe it or not, out of that sixty thousand people in College Station, it is so hard to find a good friend.

Now, here I am struggling through week six, homesick for small town, Pennsylvania. It’s weird, I have always been so proud of my courageousness, confidence, and independence. I never pictured myself as one who would search for cheap plane tickets daily and find events like Homecoming or a cattle show a “good reason” to come home. Unfortunately, last minute plane tickets are not cheap and driving 24 hours both ways for a weekend home is crazy. So I have found other ways to cope:

Find your passion 

Obviously I liked something about Texas, or I wouldn’t be here. For me, it’s the land and agriculture. So on the weekends, Nolan and I find something to do and take our time getting there; stopping every couple miles, or less, to take pictures. In Texas, in every direction you go you’ll find beautiful (well to us at least) farmland and thousands of cattle. We take advantage of this abundance and feed our passion.

Do something that reminds you of home

Nothing says home to me like a county fair. When the radio man said, “Neal McCoy at the Waller County Fair”, I knew I had to be there. Well, the Waller Co. Fair was small, and I mean even smaller than my beloved Somerset County Fair. But I did find that sense of home watching their sale of champions, while eating fries with cheese and drinking lemonade, and again at the rodeo. Finally, as we were watching Neal McCoy shake it, I realized this was by far the most fun Nolan and I had since our move to Texas. For a while, I forgot about being 1,000 miles from home.

FaceTime, Skype, whatever

FaceTime and Skype have been a saving grace for me while dealing with my homesick blues. I FaceTime my momma (and my dogs, cats, and ducks) regularly and I LOVE IT. I also have Skype dates with my best friends back home and my best friend in the ARMY (I am so proud). Just last Sunday, I found out via FaceTime that one of my best friends got engaged. It was SO much better than any call or text I could have gotten. So text your friend, mom, grandma, whoever and say, “hey, tonight if you’re free let’s have a Skype or FaceTime date” and it will be wonderful, I promise.

Use Social Media

Like Skype and Facetime, I love social media! I use Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up with family and friends while I’m away. Both of my grandmas and Nolan’s grandma are on Facebook, and I think that’s adorable! So I try to post pictures often for family. Sometimes I feel extra obligated to post on Facebook, so my mom doesn’t have to inform me that, “so and so hasn’t seen you on Facebook in a while and they want to know are you having fun/doing okay in college?” As far as Instagram and Twitter go, same concept, just for more of our generation.   

Try to Make a Few Friends

It’s so easy to be antisocial and watch Netflix for hours upon hours, but it doesn’t hurt to take a few minutes to talk to your neighbor when you’re out. Our super nice neighbors have an adorable dog named Jagger, so being the animal lovers that we are, that is how we made friends! Just by chatting when we saw them out, buying Jagger treats, and being friendly, we have friends. Easier said than done, right?

I am definitely still learning to cope with this monster called “homesickness”. But whether you’re a senior in high school considering colleges or a college student going through the same thing, I hope this little bit of insight helps!