Ask the Expert...

There's a local news channel that does a weekly "Ask the Expert" segment where they bring in local doctors, lawyers, social workers, veterinarians, etc.; you know, people that are considered experts in their field. They take calls from viewers and answer everything from simple to complex questions in an attempt to educate the public about their chosen field, and give them an opportunity to get free advice....it's awesome. I was thinking about this segment the other day after some discussions I had been involved in on social media and wondered....when will those involved in the Agriculture industry first hand be regarded as "experts?" When will our enormous amount and breadth of agricultural knowledge be sought out instead of Google search results? When will the information and facts we have to share not be given the side eye as though we're part of some global conspiracy?

I see this not just in the field of Agriculture, but in the field of education as well; so as an Agriculture Education Instructor, I get a double dose of side eye....because not only am I part of the "Ag Cartel," those who can't, teach....amIright? When it comes to education, everyone from the government all the way to down to the very students we serve are convinced they could do our jobs better than we do. So this is something I experience EVERY. DAY. Whether it's from the Ag side, or the education side.

I love Google, don't get me wrong, it's amazing when I'm trying to locate something really quick, but I'm also able to discern between a credible source and a non credible source. To me, credible sources typically have what we in the business of education like to call "sources," and not just any sources will do....I'm looking for peer reviewed stuff; things that show up in science journals or university studies. I'm not going to use an article about how dairy products are going to kill us all, from a mom blogger that has no educational background in 1. food science & safety, 2. dairy science, or any animal science for that matter, or 3. human medicine. Most of the conversations I jump in to on social media revolve around an article that was written by someone with no educational background in what they're talking about and guess what else it lacks? SOURCES! I don't care what format you use, MLA, APA, or MYAB (that's Mind Your Own Business....I just made it up), just give me some credible peer-reviewed sources that back up what your claiming! Seriously y'all...my eyes are going to stick in my forehead due to the amount of eye rolling I've done this week.

One of the biggest problems we're facing in the Ag industry right now is that consumers eat this junk up! It's almost like people feel better about feeling bad about something.....like, they feel better believing that we're inhuman to animals and that we're trying to kill everyone slowly with science. It gives them something to seethe about at their play dates and at the gym; why do we as a society enjoy the negative? I'll never understand it. I've encouraged people numerous times to seek out local producers in their area and ask questions, take tours, etc. SEE HOW IT'S DONE IN THE REAL WORLD; but they don't want to. They CHOOSE to believe the meme circulating social media, and honestly they don't WANT to believe different....I mean, I get it, anyone that includes the avocado in their full name must be legit (insert eye roll....they're probably going to stick this time).

The Ag industry is becoming more and more transparent in an attempt to share our production practices and stories; in an attempt to eventually break free from the demonetization that goes along with the job. I'll undoubtedly continue to be the wet blanket on people's crusades to discredit agricultural professionals, and I'll undoubtedly be told that I know nothing....after all, I'm just an Ag teacher....

Christmas in the Country Gift Reveal!

After a spring-like December, and a Christmas that didn't feel at all like Christmas (how do you southerner's do it? I need cold and snow!) winter has finally arrived in Ohio! I awoke to a -9 windchill this morning and there is snow in the forecast for this evening in to tomorrow. As a teacher, I sometimes pray for snow days...it seems to be the only chance I have at catching up on housework.

This was my second year participating in the Christmas in the Country Blogger Gift Swap, and this year was awesome! It's always fun getting paired up with someone from somewhere around the country and getting a taste of their personality in the mail. This year I had the privilege of receiving goodies from Alison, who blogs at Outside the Ag Room, she is a former Ag teacher, and I feel that most women ag teachers feel a sort of kindred spiritedness or sisterhood among each other. So it was exciting receiving items from someone that knew so much about my career and love of all things Ag and FFA.

I received some awesome soap from The Dirty Goat, which hits my right in the feels, because I raised dairy goats as my high school FFA project, and still have a soft spot for them. I also received some awesome sea salt caramels, an owl wallflower (can't go wrong with owls when you're shopping for a FFA advsior), and some great Illinois Cattlewomen items! I also received an awesome bracelet that has owl and initial charms on it. I wear it pretty much everyday!

Off topic, but isn't my watch the absolute best!?

I had the pleasure of sending items to Lisa, who blogs at Cow Spots & Tales. I sent her some pretty awesome goodies, and you're going to have to check out her blog to see what I sent!

I ended up sending Alison some Ohio love in the form of a North Central FFA t-shirt. She has a picture of herself wearing it up on her blog, so be sure to check it out!

A huge thank you to the ladies that spend so much time putting this swap together! 

Laurie @ Country LINKED

Lara @ My Other More Exciting Self

Jamie @ This Uncharted Rhoade

Kirby @ 15009 Farmhouse