I grew up on a diversified dairy farm in southeast South Dakota where I learned how to throw a hay bale, pull a calf, deal with death, and "name" the cows. I was in 4H and FFA, and was privileged to serve as a state FFA officer. In college, I studied animal science, focusing on beef cows, mostly because I figured they were less work than dairy cows....I ended up with a Masters Degree in ruminant nutrition and went to work for the University of Nebraska, first as a research tech coordinating data collection for a swine unit and beef feedlot on a research farm and then as an extension educator. Currently, I am the agriculture program director for Northeast Community College.
I bought some new HDR software and wanted to try it out. While visiting the beautiful campus of the University of Arkansas, I took this shot of “Old Main”. While I am not 100% in love with the ‘fake’ appearance that turned out in this one, I do love the drama it adds. What do … More “Old Main, University of Arkansas” Photo Friday July 11, 2014
Crazy weather is nothing new for those of us that grew up or live on the Great Plains. I have written about tornadoes and temperature shifts on this blog. This summer has gotten off to a rather inauspicious start as northeast Nebraska has made national headlines for multiple tornadoes–one leveling a majority of the town of … More Close Encounters Of the Tornado Kind
Because the Internet does not have nearly enough cats. Looks like we might need to transplant this one soon. Mom! He’s touching me!!
The unique challenges of raising children on a farm or ranch include some strange sentences–ones that I am sure are uttered by no other women than farm moms… -You cannot show a baby raccoon at the county fair. -Take it back outside. -No really, I don’t think the extension office will add a raccoon class. Take it … More $@!% Farm Moms Say
I like it under here….I am never coming out…
The main purpose of this blog is to provide some laughs related to farm/ranch life. I am an optimist and I try very hard to see the”lighter side” of this profession. Anyone who is involved in raising animals for food knows that it is not always fun and games. All sorts of people are ready … More It Is Not All Laughs
I recently returned from a visit to Seattle, where we were checking out the site of a future conference. One of the highlights of the visit was getting to view the Seattle skyline from the water and a visit to the famous Farmer’s Market. The colors at the market were an intense contrast to Seattle’s … More Photo Friday ‘Seattle Skyline and Market’ April 18, 2014
All winter, the cows have been out on cornstalks. For those unfamiliar with Nebraska, cornstalks are what is leftover after a combine harvests the grain from a cornfield. The leaves and husks are good feed for cows. Of course, the combine never gets 100% of the corn , so the cows spend their first few … More The Cows Came Home
How far can the Nebraska wind blow an 11 foot tall, bright yellow, 3000 gallon capacity, 400 lb plastic tank? Read on to find out…. It has been windy around here lately. Like, 40-mph-sustained-winds, take-down-the- basketball-hoop, look-at-the-semi-truck-tipped-over-in-the-ditch kind of windy. We are used to wind (remember our tornado experience a couple years ago…) so we … More A Wild Tank Chase
This post might qualify for one of those Jeff Foxworthy “You might be a redneck if…” parodies. Read on to find out the latest way we managed to set the lawn on fire. Recycling and trash pickup options are extremely limited where I live (several miles out of town). We do what we can, but … More Mom, the Lawn Is On Fire!
Fence Post Diaries 