A Letter of Thanks to Agriculture, My Biggests Supporters, and My Horse
The story I often tell people is that I was the 4th grade girl who wanted a pony for her birthday, but, being the youngest of 5, I actually got the pony and it wasn’t even on my birthday, it was a random Tuesday in May.
What I don’t tell all people is that this pony was a craigslist find, we got pulled over on the way to get trailer lights for the old trailer we were borrowing because we didn’t own one yet, and if it wasn’t for the fact my big heart felt so bad for Rain (the horses’) living conditions, I would’ve been too scared to take her home because her missing eye absolutely terrified me. This experience describes many days of this young Miller operation that now includes lots of hay, a few cows, and our trusted farm hand, my brother in law who got to learn that beef doesn’t come from a pig. A life in agriculture is not easy, no matter the number of acres or head of cattle. I though have become more thankful each and every day for the sacrifices my parents have made to give me the opportunity to be apart of agriculture, along with the joys and discomforts it brings, and ultimately, be standing here today for the industry I am most passionate about.
Dad- I will cherish the memories, both good and bad, that we have made forever. I will never forget that 4th of July years back where the baler broke down (of course) on one of our best fields that was going to get rained on the next day (of course). And you simply said “Well, you win some and you lose some” and that’s a lesson I’ve carried since. One of my favorites, though, was last year when I skipped class to come ride in the combine with you when you were helping a family friend out when they got in a car wreck in the middle of harvest. I finally got to have a “riding in the combine with dad” memory, even if it meant the drive there took longer than the time I got to spend in the combine. I am 100% still the girl that didn’t want to go to kindergarten because I’d rather hang out with you.
Mom- We may not have the same memories as dad and I do, but I appreciate your contribution to my endeavors more than you realize between all the rabbit cage cleaning, rides each evening to walk my pigs, never cutting me short when I was talking endlessly about genetics, and especially seeing you in the stands at the hot fairs all day just to watch me walk a pig or heifer, that was absolutely not going to win, around a circle for 10 minutes. You have made many of your own sacrifices behind the scenes to let dad and I play tractors and feed cows, and although I’m sure they may feel unnoticed, I really just have no idea how I could have a worthy enough thanks for them.
Going back to Rain, I am so glad that I decided to take her home that day because this summer she and Dinger, her daughter and my pride and joy, have taught me a lesson I think we can all relate to. Every day in the summer my horses get let out into 2 small pastures. One of the pastures has an electrical fence with a gate consisting of 2 cut hog panels that barely meet in the middle. Now remember, these are 2 large animals that absolutely have the athletic ability to jump over the fence, or even just, I don’t know hop-step step over it? To be honest, I’m sure there has been at least once in the past 5 years the fence wasn’t even on- essentially a long string of yarn was holding my 2, 1300 pound rocket donkeys in- and yet they never, once got out.
Yes, we may laugh at those silly horses, but we are more like Dinger and Rain than we think. I guarantee an irrational fear or boundary we set on ourself has held each and every one of us back from something, whether it was the whole world on the other side, or just a small patch of greener grass. Last year I was like these horses. I absolutely was 100% against the thought of applying for this position because I was just as terrified as the first time I met Rain. I chose to use all of my little electric fences I has thought up as excuses: I was too young for this position, I would obviously not be perfect and forget SOMETHIING, I have actually only been to 1 NAYI before this [one that I planned], and the list went on and on. I chose to see every single reason why I might not be able to do this, instead of the reasons I could. All 22 of them actually.
I failed to remember that I had 19 individuals that are some of my best friends and people that I look up to the most working toward the same goal. [Nebraska Ag Youth] Council, you have no idea what it has meant to me to get to be part of what we have. You are some of the most talented and caring people I know and it is an honor simply to know you, let alone be on a council together, and especially, laugh until we cry together.
And Christin, the rockstar mama-bear that has pushed me on the days I’ve needed it and told me ‘I’ve got your back, no matter what” on other days I absolutely needed it.
I also must thank Christin for seeking out my partner, Emily. The very first night Emily and I met we sat and talked in the old state office building far too late. That morning, I walked into Christin’s office and said “You got a good one. A really good one.” And every day since then, that “really good one” she found just kept getting better. I knew that no matter what happened with the year, it would all be worth it because this new friendship.
If you were doing the math I mentioned that I had 22 reasons why I could do this, and I only listed 21 of them. The last was myself. I brought skills the the table too. Was I going to be perfect? No. Did I feel completely prepared? Not quite. But if I felt like I had everything ready in the beginning, I wouldn’t have grown and it wouldn’t been fulfilling. I’ve never chosen a walk in the park over a rollercoaster, why should I now?
Throughout this week you have heard from many speakers about this same topic actually, but for good measure, one more time: identify your fence, and just step over it, or find the hole in it. Although my horses can’t figure it out, my cows can, and as they say, you are what you eat.
Now, I encourage you to eat a steak like this audience :)