Thursday, July 25, 2013

Fly Over States

A warm summer day, with a cool breeze blowing out of the north. To me, that sounds like a perfect day for a run. Call me crazy, but running is relaxing, and gives me a chance to be outside and enjoy nature. Living in a "fly over state" has its perks; because if it's one thing I enjoy most on my runs, it's the beautiful scenery.

On my regular run, I will run past cows, horses, a hay field, two wheat fields, and a couple of corn fields. There is no doubt that there are times that I take all of this for granted, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I consider my neighborhood (AKA the middle of nowhere) a fantastic picture of American agriculture. Every adjacent plot of land is growing something different, but at the same time they are all next to each other. It's diversity coming together that makes agriculture so amazing.

It's moments like this that I get little snapshots of all the beauty the land has to offer and a chance to reflect on all of the hard work that was put into it. To the world, agricultural states like Kansas, Oklahoma, or Indiana are known as "fly over states", as Jason Aldean points out in his song. He says that people take these places for granted. However, he points out that these are some of the most beautiful places in the country, filled with the most hard-working people that you will ever meet. If you haven't already done so, try to meet "the man who plowed that earth and planted that seed" and thank him for all that he has done.

Whether we live near "a bunch of square corn fields and wheat farms," or we're in the plane that's flying over them, we all have a hand, and an impact, in agriculture. How can we make sure that we are making a positive impact? Do we take American agriculture for granted? How can we show ourselves and others the importance of agriculture?

As FFA members, we have the opportunity to not only experience and learn about agriculture, but to advocate it as well. By developing those qualities of leadership (which an FFA member should possess), our voices can be heard in our communities, in our States, and in our nation. How can we show people what it means to be a part of a "fly over state"?

Here's a picture I stopped to take while going down the (miles and miles of) back roads.

Kansas FFA, we out!