Agriculture from the Dawn of Time

With my parents' engagement picture looking like the one on the right, how could I avoid agriculture? I visited my grandparents' pig farm when I was a week old, showed pigs in my dad's arms at six months, and joined 4-H and FFA like my parents did when they were kids. As the daughter of two pig farmers, I learned the importance of agriculture advocacy. My parents taught me that too many people in the world do not know where their food comes from. They also taught me that we as agriculturalists have the responsibility and privilage of keeping our livelihood alive. My mom raised us in the city, but I do not think there was I day that I didn't hear her talk and dream about having a plot of land to have a farm. When I was in junior high, I wrote on a list of goals that I wanted to never give up my piece of land. I learned from my parents to love 4-H and FFA. My mom was the bigger influence in 4-H and my dad in FFA. My mom enrolled us in all the camps, trainings, and contests we could find time for. She was a 30 year 4-H leader. My dad, on the other hand, admired his agriculture teacher as one of the most influenial people in his life. He cried when I told him I was going to be an ag teacher. He has been so proud of me throughout my years at USU because I took his advice and aspired to be involved in agriculture. I will use the influence my parents had on me to inspire my students to take every opportunity given to them. If my parents wouldn't have helped me seize every 4-H and FFA activity, I would not be where I am today. I got a scholarship to USU from my service as a 4-H ambassador, which was one of the biggest reasons I came to USU. I can use what my mom taught me and what my dad continues to teach me to be the best agricultural advocate I can be.