Tuesday 10

Ten things I am currently in love with...

1. my new The North Face jacket
2. this weather! sunny and 60!!
3. apparently the snooze button since I have severely oversslept for two days in a row
4. Spring Break is close enough to begin the countdown
5. the hot pink toes I am sporting this week
6. Wintergreen Lifesaver mints
7. iPad--my mom randomly won one last week and even though I haven't had the opportunity to play with it, I already know I will love it
8. new haircut! (and the fact that it makes me look JUST like Jessica Simpson) kidding, by the way
9. my empty calendar for this week
10. Redken hairspray

Hearts,
JanLee

Conquering Challenges, Bridging Divides

"How in the world did he tie that knot?" That's all I could think about as I stared unforgivingly straight at Trent Loos, American rancher and self made agriculture spokesperson turned radio/television show host, and his perfectly tied, silky wild rag that was knotted at his throat. At least that was all I could think about until he opened his mouth. Because let me tell you, when Trent Loos talks, you just have to listen.

For the sake of time, for your reading and my writing, I'll just go ahead and bullet point this one out. I would HATE to miss anything this man said. He was truly awesome to listen to.

• Trent defines agriculture as "the conversion of natural resources into consumable products for humankind," and his stance is that we should do whatever necessary to keep our food supply both adequate and safe. (Yes, even if that means keeping chickens in *GASP* cages!)
• He says that farmers' and ranchers' roles as producers of the world's food is "a calling, not a job." And I couldn't agree more.
• On "natural" and "organic" food production, Trent points out that people are "paying a premium for the way things use to be done, even though the old ways are not environmentally or economically sound." He poses the question of the reason for technological advances of any kind if people are willing to pay more for the obselete ways of doing things.
• He also points out (and because I do love my facts I think this is important) the last reported case of trichinosis (the single reason that every pork chop since the 70's has been overcooked) was in 1976 (35 years ago) when two people contracted it from eating bear, not pork. So spread the word, trichinosis is not longer a threat.
• Never apologize for harvesting animals. It is the animal's place in this world to convert inedible products to products fit for human consumption. Trent's tagline is "Everything lives. Everything dies. And death with a purpose gives full meaning to life." And that's what it all comes down to.
• Trent's rules whe dealing with people who protest production agriculture: never be confrontational, LISTEN to them (that's all they really want), don't make the discussion economical, make it environmental and beneficial for mankind, be strategic (make things their idea)
• One of my personal favorite's of the presentation: "We need to put ourselves in a position to create the perceptions, no react to them."
• "Advocating" implies that we are on the defensive and that is a losing battle. Be a "spokesperson", not an advocate.
• Trent ended by saying, very eloquently I might add, "I expect that we will conquer these challenges and bridge these divides." Talk about making ya want to jump up and do something! He was awesome.

Fired Up,

JanLee

Happy Valentine's Day

Tuesday Ten: Winter Weather Edition

Ten things Snow Makes Me Grateful For...

1. fireplaces
2. muck boots
3. southern summers
4. four-wheel drive
5. those fuzzy socks with snowmen on them that Mimi gave me for Christmas
6. hot chocolate
7. weather.com
8. NCIS marathons
9. Facebook

Warm Wishes,
JanLee

Hello Again :)

First, I apologize for my little hiatus. I really have no excuse other than a temporary lack of motivation that, thankfully, seems to have resolved itself.

So now to get caught up...
Missed Friday Post#1: My Animal Agriculture Advocacy and Policy class hosted a panel of lawmakers a couple of weeks ago and it was great to get some insight, and more importantly, to really discuss the public's perception of our industry and how that affects policy and regulations. We welcomed Representative Don Arms, Chair of House Appropriation Committee for Natural resources, Senator Mike Schultz, the current Senate Floor Leader, and Senator Brian Crane, a very urban, yet influential and supportive lawmaker from Tulsa.

Missed Friday Post #2: This past week, we had a similar discussion with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture, Jim Reese, Mrs. Blayne Arthur, Legislative Liaison for the Oklahoma Department of Ag, and Dr. David Vontonglen, a very involved Oklahoma veterinarian who understands the importance of speaking up.

The theme of both classes were very similar, and we discussed some common ideas:

• The most effective form of lobbying is done by constituents. You have a voice, so use it!
• Don't strong arm legislators. It will backfire.
• VOTE! And when you do, support agriculturalists!

And that's the lesson in a nutshell! Stay tuned for Tuesday Ten!!!!

TTYL,
JanLee :)