Editorial / Opinions

The caveman probably didn’t realize how much of an impact he would have on 21-century society, when he began to carve those pictures on the walls of his home. But, the way I figure, that invention ranks second only to his stone wheel. For example…

It comes as no surprise that one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today is getting young and beginning farmers to begin a career in farming. There are many obstacles for a beginning or young farmer to overcome including limited access to land, high land prices and high input costs.

My neighbor and good friend, Stan, has never been noted for his propensity to engage in small talk, but his phone call last week set a new record for getting right to the point. Seeing it was him on my caller ID, I answered, “Hello, Stan. What’s goin’ on today?”

It comes as no surprise that one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today is getting young and beginning farmers to begin a career in farming. There are many obstacles for a beginning or young farmer to overcome including limited access to land, high land prices and high input costs.

I have never been to the museum for the Pony Express in Saint Joseph, Mo., but folks tell me it is a great place to go see and research. The Pony Express was a unique part of the early western communications. There was a TV series based on it at one time and I recall seeing a few episodes of it. Since TV series are now on disc’s I suppose you could review it somewhere.

It was good to hear from an old college buddy over the holidays. After wishing each other well, we began to talk about how the year had been for each of our farming operations and, since he is primarily engaged in row-cropping, it was obvious his year had not been so good. Eventually, the conversation turned to recent purchases and he asked me if I had bought a certain marketing service before the end of the year. When I replied that I hadn’t, he reminded me of what one of our old professors had taught us so diligently about reducing our taxable income.

I’ve recently had the privilege to join 15 other farmwomen in attending Annie’s Project, a risk management educational course for women, hosted by the Webster County University of Missouri Extension office.

It was good to hear from an old college buddy over the holidays. After wishing each other well, we began to talk about how the year had been for each of our farming operations and, since he is primarily engaged in row-cropping, it was obvious his year had not been so good. Eventually, the conversation turned to recent purchases and he asked me if I had bought a certain marketing service before the end of the year. When I replied that I hadn’t, he reminded me of what one of our old professors had taught us so diligently about reducing our taxable income.

Well the first week in December means Stetson hats show up in Vegas for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s conference and prequel to the Wrangler Finals Rodeo. Pat and I have been to Vegas several times before for this meeting and went with several fellow board members from the Rodeo of the Ozarks this year.

I’ve recently had the privilege to join 15 other farmwomen in attending Annie’s Project, a risk management educational course for women, hosted by the Webster County University of Missouri Extension office.