Farming on our farm, like most farms across the nation, is a true family affair. 
Hoot even clocked in for some harvesting this season. 
Matt was on the ground checking the machine, letting us enjoy some air conditioning and snacks! 
Life is good! Happy photo Friday!
It’s a crazy time of year around the farm! We not only have harvest hitting us 10 days early, which means early mornings and very late nights. We also have the St. Paul Rodeo on our hands during the 4th of July. I finally sat down today, for what felt like the first time in quite a few days and took a deep breath. I feel like a whirlwind just hit our farm, our town, not to mention my house. I can’t complain though, when life is full of all good stuff, even it’s a ton of it, it’s hard to not see blessings in life.
The St. Paul Rodeo was once again a big hit this year. Being the largest west of the Mississippi on the 4th of July and a big part of cowboy Christmas, every year it never disappoints. What it means for our small town of only 322 people however is a lot of work to put on a great show for the over 50 thousand people who come to visit us. From Cowboys and bucking bulls, to barbecue chicken and American flags, this rodeo has stood the test of time, celebrating its 80th year!
We were proud to also have Miss Rodeo Oregon, Julie Drescher call us home and be on the road representing us with poise and grace that can only come from small town America.
The 4th of July means a little something different to every American, to me it’s more than BBQ and beer. To me, it means honoring those who fight for our freedom, being thankful that we live in such a wonderful country and thanking God everyday that I get to work in the dirt that he provided. It gives me goosebumps every year as I see the flag rising over the rodeo grounds, hearing the national anthem, sang by Mary Ann Zielinski, knowing that the patriotism in that small arena is at its best at that very moment. How could you not be thankful to live in the land of the free?
So until next year the grounds will go quiet. It will wait patiently for dusty cowboy boots to show up again, to compete, to see good friends, and to be thankful for another great year under the Stars and Stripes. See you next year Rodeo fans!
This past week our local baseball team, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have been living up to their reputation of being a venue not to just enjoy watching some good ‘ol American baseball, eat a hotdog and have a cold beer, they are also a place that enjoys involving the community in which they serve. They have been doing a series of games to honor those of us who work in agriculture and in this industry that is so strong here in Oregon.
The rural and urban divide is getting stronger here in Oregon as people get further removed generationally from the farm, but at the same time here in Oregon it seems like our urban neighbors physically are getting closer and closer. Which is why there is an ever growing need to reach out, the need for farmers to tell their story, and the Volcanoes baseball program gave many of us farmers a chance to do just that last night.
Katy Coba, Marie Bowers Stagg, Macey Wessels, Kathy Hadley, myself, Shelly Boshart Davis, and Amy Doerfler Phelan
I was honored to be a part of this great event. Not only was I one of eight women in agriculture to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the game, I was more honored to be one of the many to escort Scott Miller’s family out to home plate for a tribute to him and all he has done for our industry. His legacy, as we saw last night, continues on as it rightfully should.
Scott Miller’s family, his wife Martha, son Ben, daughter Sara, and sister Brenda.
Along with base hits, cheering, and hotdogs, came toy tractor races, interviews with farmers, even a crop duster fly over and overall a great feeling of pride for showing what the bringing of two different worlds should look like. When the Senior Account Manager, Jerry Howard came out to our farm to “pitch” the idea of an agriculture week to us, he said, “I have lived here my entire life, I have driven these back roads for many years. I have enjoyed watching fields grow and crops harvested, and until now it never dawned on me that we need to honor those who grow our food right here in Oregon. Until now, and that is where this idea began.”
Here is short video that was put together by the Volcanoes to talk about Kathy Hadley’s farm in Rickreall, and our farm here in St. Paul.
Thank you Jerry for a great opportunity, thank you to Salem-Keizer Volcanoes for letting us be a part of this great program, and thank you to all of those who came out in support.
NuttyGrass 