Recently I had to he opportunity to head to South Texas/ Gulf Coast Region to judge two different cattle shows. If anyone has never been to South Texas/ Gulf Coast Region I HIGHLY recommend a trip. Texas is a state that I absolutely LOVE! My trip was roughly 942 miles round trip. Keep in mind, this is two different weekends and trips. So each one was roughly 942 miles. I did not even go west of Highway 35 to make either trip. The sights, the sounds, the people and experience makes it all worth ever mile.
When a dear friend asked me to judge a prospect show for a fundraiser I said yes. Supporting the youth of our country and in agriculture should be a top priority for everyone involved. This is our future and we want each of all of them succeed. I was also asked to judge a ring for a great series of shows happening in Texas right now. This allowed me to make 2 great trips through this state that I love.
When getting the chance to travel I think it's important to make the most of the experience. Our country and states have a lot to offer. We need to experience the most of it when we are allowed. On one of my trips I was able to stop off at one of my cousins' house and spend a little quality time with her family. I love that time and cherish those moments. The next trip was a little quicker. Down the night before, judge, load up and head north.
Both of these trips were rewarding for me in many ways. Spending time doing anything with cattle always makes me happy. Cattle are great creatures. They have personalities and show cattle tend to live a very pampered lifestyle. It takes a lot of time and work to get cattle to a stage where they shine. Countless hours in the barns and on the road make show cattle what they are and who we are as well.
Another way these trips are rewarding are in who I get to meet. I know a lot of people. I mean a lot. One aspect of agriculture is that there are always new faces to meet and hands to shake. There is no stranger in the cattle barn. We are all connected by agriculture and that makes it a special bond.
For me, the most rewarding aspect of these trips are the kids. Working with great youth from all over make my day. These kids come from all types of backgrounds. The one thread to binds them is agriculture. The opportunities are endless. This environment can take you from a small town in Texas to being a Governor, Senator, President or just the best cattleman in the country.
In both of the shows the types of kids and cattle varied. Cattle that will go on to compete at the major shows like Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston. There were also cattle that will be strictly for county and regional shows. Both are important and play a key role in building that young person up to be successful in life.
When I was showing cattle we all knew and talked to each other. We helped each other out even when competing against each other. I believe that still exist in today's show circuit. We are all in this game together. The competition is a wonderful tool to build people up and make them great. There has to be a goal at the end of all this hard work. For many it is a ton of scholarships that the cattle shows now give out. For others, it is to make money. Sale, market and show the cattle they breed. Seeing others do well with cattle you raise is a huge rush and shows you are on the right track in life.
Some of these kids even have jobs on the side of showing cattle. They play sports, are in band, active in their school programs and most are successful in FFA and 4-H. These are some awesome well rounded kids that deserve our time. They deserve our impute and assistance.
One fact that I have learned over the years is that feedback is a gift and giving back in life is vital to a successful society. Being a productive/functioning part of society is important in life. People have to understand that role and balance. Agriculture gives kids the chance to give back and become those leaders in the country and world. We can change the world just by some simple actions and steps we take, agriculture does that every day and has for centuries.
Spending a couple of weekends like these always ground me. They remind me of what I believe is important in life. These weekends also help me reconnect with old friends and make many new ones. We sometimes spend our days at jobs that we do not care for wondering what else is out there to do. It's often scary to think about branching out and doing something different. The security factor plays in heavily. Although sometimes in our lives we have to take a leap of faith and trust what we know. Agriculture is the background that hopefully makes us strong enough to make that leap every time. We need to give that to the youth of our country. They can do and be anything they want to be in life.
"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man." ~ George Washington
When a dear friend asked me to judge a prospect show for a fundraiser I said yes. Supporting the youth of our country and in agriculture should be a top priority for everyone involved. This is our future and we want each of all of them succeed. I was also asked to judge a ring for a great series of shows happening in Texas right now. This allowed me to make 2 great trips through this state that I love.
When getting the chance to travel I think it's important to make the most of the experience. Our country and states have a lot to offer. We need to experience the most of it when we are allowed. On one of my trips I was able to stop off at one of my cousins' house and spend a little quality time with her family. I love that time and cherish those moments. The next trip was a little quicker. Down the night before, judge, load up and head north.
Both of these trips were rewarding for me in many ways. Spending time doing anything with cattle always makes me happy. Cattle are great creatures. They have personalities and show cattle tend to live a very pampered lifestyle. It takes a lot of time and work to get cattle to a stage where they shine. Countless hours in the barns and on the road make show cattle what they are and who we are as well.
Another way these trips are rewarding are in who I get to meet. I know a lot of people. I mean a lot. One aspect of agriculture is that there are always new faces to meet and hands to shake. There is no stranger in the cattle barn. We are all connected by agriculture and that makes it a special bond.
For me, the most rewarding aspect of these trips are the kids. Working with great youth from all over make my day. These kids come from all types of backgrounds. The one thread to binds them is agriculture. The opportunities are endless. This environment can take you from a small town in Texas to being a Governor, Senator, President or just the best cattleman in the country.
In both of the shows the types of kids and cattle varied. Cattle that will go on to compete at the major shows like Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston. There were also cattle that will be strictly for county and regional shows. Both are important and play a key role in building that young person up to be successful in life.
When I was showing cattle we all knew and talked to each other. We helped each other out even when competing against each other. I believe that still exist in today's show circuit. We are all in this game together. The competition is a wonderful tool to build people up and make them great. There has to be a goal at the end of all this hard work. For many it is a ton of scholarships that the cattle shows now give out. For others, it is to make money. Sale, market and show the cattle they breed. Seeing others do well with cattle you raise is a huge rush and shows you are on the right track in life.
Some of these kids even have jobs on the side of showing cattle. They play sports, are in band, active in their school programs and most are successful in FFA and 4-H. These are some awesome well rounded kids that deserve our time. They deserve our impute and assistance.
One fact that I have learned over the years is that feedback is a gift and giving back in life is vital to a successful society. Being a productive/functioning part of society is important in life. People have to understand that role and balance. Agriculture gives kids the chance to give back and become those leaders in the country and world. We can change the world just by some simple actions and steps we take, agriculture does that every day and has for centuries.
Spending a couple of weekends like these always ground me. They remind me of what I believe is important in life. These weekends also help me reconnect with old friends and make many new ones. We sometimes spend our days at jobs that we do not care for wondering what else is out there to do. It's often scary to think about branching out and doing something different. The security factor plays in heavily. Although sometimes in our lives we have to take a leap of faith and trust what we know. Agriculture is the background that hopefully makes us strong enough to make that leap every time. We need to give that to the youth of our country. They can do and be anything they want to be in life.
"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful, and most noble employment of man." ~ George Washington
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