Visitors to the Farm

I come from a fairly large extended family.  Many of my cousins grew up in the Barrhead area, some on farms, and some in town.  Others grew up further away.  One of my uncles raised his family in Alberta's capital city, Edmonton.  My uncle's three children seem to have enjoyed growing up in the city, but they also have an appreciation for the farm.  Those three cousins used to come visit us on the farm every once in a while.  Now that they are grown and have families of their own, they still come to the farm, usually once a year.  When they arrive, the kids pile out of minivans asking as many questions as they can.  "When do we get to ride the tractor?  Where are the cows?  Can we play with the dogs?  What is that?"  It's a bit of chaos, but it's so much fun to have my cousins and their kids over for a day!

Meeting Spike, the bull.

Yesterday was the day that my cousins were able to come out to the farm this year.  My aunt and uncle arrived first, with their youngest granddaughter, Audrey, napping in the backseat.  I wasn't quite ready for them and had to drag the over-eager dogs into their kennel before they climbed right in to the truck with everyone.  By the time I finished that, my cousin Sherisse had arrived with her two children.  Kasaya's questions started almost as soon as she was finished greeting me.  Canaan didn't get many questions in, but he did have two very nice pictures coloured for me.  We talked about the grain bins, augers, and cows until my cousin Sandy arrived with her husband, Neil, and four boys.  In case you've lost count, we now have a total of 7 children, five adult visitors, and one farmer.

The six oldest kids playing in our old squeeze chute.

Once the boys were all unloaded from the van and had put their rubber boots on, the fun began!  We started with a tour of our new cattle handling system.  The kids and "Opa" (my uncle) pretended to be the cows and I put them through the system.  Then we had to check out the whole system from the outside.  The kids were asking so many questions that I was hard put to remember the answers to all of them!  There were a few times that I had to stop and think, "what does that particular rope do?" before I could answer.  It was good practice for me to use the new system, and the kids seemed to think it was pretty cool, too.

The kids emerge from the squeeze chute.

After we had thoroughly checked out the handling system, we went for a short walk to look at some of the cows.  Then it was time for tractor rides!  The kids never wait long to ask for a tractor ride when they come to visit.  I had planned to take them for rides in the Massey, mainly because it has a cab, making it safer and warmer.  Unfortunately, the battery died in that tractor and it was blocking all of the other tractors, except for one.  So, there was nothing to do but use the old Cockshutt tractor, with the post-pounder hooked behind it.  It turned out all right, though, and we had plenty of fun with the tractor, and the lack of a cab allowed for decent pictures.  The most exciting part was giving Levi and Kasaya, the two oldest grandkids, the chance to drive the tractor "by themselves".  They are now the age I was when I first got to drive the tractor myself (with Dad working the pedals).  It was so fun to see their excitement when I told them they could drive it themselves (basically, I let them steer without my hands on the wheel).  Levi did an amazing job!  Kasaya almost hit a hay bale, but other than that she did a great job, too!  The rest of the kids got to help me steer, or just rode along, depending on their age.

Valerie and the kids with the old Cockshutt tractor.  Can you see all 7 of the kids?

The next activity of the day was feeding the cows.  I had originally planned to have the kids help me feed grain to the feeders.  Shortly after I made those plans, it began to rain - a lot.  The entire farm was very wet and muddy this weekend and poor Daniel got stuck just waiting for a tractor ride!  Due to the heavy mud in the corrals, I had already fed the grain to the feeders in the morning, but I knew that two groups of cattle needed their minerals topped up.  Each child got a bucket and poured their minerals into the appropriate tubs, then asked what else they could feed.  They really enjoyed getting to do simple chores.  Maybe I should keep them around...

Feeding minerals with the kids.

I didn't have any more to officially show the kids this year, and I had no field work for the men, so we returned to the yard so the kids could play with some old toys I had dug up, and with the dogs, which were finally allowed to come out of their kennel.  The dogs loved the kids!  By the end of the day, almost all of the kids had warmed up to the exuberant dogs, too.  Only Andrew was still rather hesitant, probably because the dogs kept running past him while playing fetch with Jayden.  I'm surprised they never ran right over him!

Bandit loved the kids!

I had so much fun showing the kids the farm and spending time with my cousins, aunt, and uncle!  I'm looking forward to the next time they all come for a visit to the farm!

Photo credits to Sandy Rysavy.

The Handshake Agreement

Often when folks think about the farming community and the way in which business is conducted in rural areas, they think of the classic handshake agreement.  In this process, two people chat about a business arrangement, agree to work together, and seal the deal with a firm handshake.  Business then proceeds as arranged and everything is peachy-keen.  Nothing ever goes wrong because rural folks are simple and honest and it all just works (I write this with deep sarcasm, of course).  If you were to take this business model to the city, you would quickly be laughed out of the office and would never make a deal, and if you did, you might find that the other party had taken advantage of your trust.

I think it is time to remove the handshake agreement from business because it simply doesn't work.  Of course, there will always be people who take advantage of another person's trust.  However, my dislike of the handshake agreement doesn't stem from distrust of my neighbours and potential business partners.  Rather, I am finding that handshake agreements simply leave too much unsaid.  Let me explain.

Let's say that I rent a 40-acre field from my neighbour (we'll call him Bob).  We agree that I will pay $55/acre to have the use of the field for a year.  We agree to these terms and shake hands to seal the deal.  Now that I have the use of that land, am I allowed to do anything I want with it?  There is nothing telling me what I can or cannot do.  Suppose this field is really nice and clean, with very few weeds in it.  I don't want to spend much money, so I buy low-quality seed from another neighbour and plant it.  The seed is full of of weed seeds and these weeds come up.  Still not wanting to spend money, I refuse to employ any method of weed control and the problem spreads.  Now Bob's field is full of weeds.  The next person to rent that field might demand a lower rental price since the land is not clean and they will have to spend extra money on weed control.  Not only that, but if there happens to be noxious or prohibited noxious weeds in there, Bob will have to pay the local weed inspector to control or destroy them.  Bob loses money because I was irresponsible with his land, but he has no written agreement to point to and say, "Valerie, you violated our agreement and my trust.  You are responsible for cleaning up this mess."  Instead he takes the financial hit and thinks twice about renting his land to me in the future.  As the renter, I can technically do whatever I want with the land and Bob will take the loss if I am irresponsible because there was no written agreement in place to guide my activities.

What about the owner's land use, though?  Bob owns the land.  Is he entitled to use it during the time I have it rented?  There is no agreement saying he can't.  Suppose I rent the land, plant my crop and carry on in a responsible fashion.  Bob accepts the rent cheque and carries on with his business, paying no attention to the field until one weekend when his grandkids come for a visit.  The grandkids enjoy taking their ATVs and dirt bikes for a ride.  The most convenient space for the kids to do this is on the 40 acres behind the house, the 40 acres I have rented.  Bob owns the land, though, so he allows his grandkids to ride all over the field, damaging my crop.  Whether that crop is lentils, wheat, oats, hay, or tame pasture, it doesn't matter.  My crop, which I own, has been damaged.  I will have to take the loss, however, because there is no written agreement saying that Bob and his relatives can't use the land while I have it rented.  I have nothing to point to and say, "Bob, you violated our agreement.  You need to pay for this damage."

In both cases, neither I nor Bob violated our agreement.  I paid Bob the agreed upon price and he let me use the land for the agreed upon period of time.  However, in each situation, one of us took a serious hit.  That is exactly what is wrong with the handshake agreement.  Now, you may say to me, "Valerie, that wouldn't actually happen."  And I will answer, "I have listened to a landlord complain to my dad about another renter who would not deal with his weeds properly.  I have also, in the past few weeks, seen the relatives of two different landlords ride ATVs and other off-road vehicles all over my dad's hay crop (and don't tell me it's just hay - it's a crop and it was damaged)."  These are real-life situations that could easily be avoided with a written agreement.

It's okay to trust your neighbours, but why not protect yourself and your business partners with a proper written contract?

Don't Fear Your Food: How to Get Accurate Information

Before I went to school to learn about agriculture, I followed the dreams everyone else had for me and set out on the path to become a teacher.  In pursuit of this goal, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in history.  This education taught me how to properly research to find accurate information regarding whatever topic I needed to write about.  I also learned from professors and other students that it can be very easy to make this information say whatever you want it to say, but in the end, using information in this manner will ultimately result in a loss of respect and a low grade.  When I first abandoned the teaching path I thought that the years spent completing this degree had been wasted.  Now I realize that completing a history degree taught me how to correctly access and use accurate, reliable information.

In the past few years as I studied agriculture and related topics, I began to see people accessing inaccurate information and then passing it on as truth.  I also saw people twisting accurate information to make it say horrible things.  The end result was almost always the same: the general public began to fear their food and had no idea how to get to the truth or who to trust.

I would now like to teach my readers a few things about accessing accurate information about their food.  As in my last blog post, I will do this through a question and answer format.

Where are you getting your information now?

When I first came across some of the alarming misinformation that is floating around regarding food production I wondered, "Where on earth is this coming from?"  I didn't take long for me to figure it out.  Consumers often don't have time to actively seek out information about everything they eat, so they get their information from the most convenient sources possible.  These include marketing campaigns (TV ads, unique selling points emphasized by companies, etc.), social media, television personalities, and various internet sources.  Those who take the time to dig a little deeper quickly come across web sites, books, articles, and other sources, many of which cause me to cringe when I see them.  These sources may sound legitimate, but for someone who is obsessive about finding accurate information, a few quick checks often reveal these sources to be untrustworthy.  

Please note that I am not saying that everything you hear is always wrong about everything.  There are some good sites and other sources out there.  I just want you to be able to identify whether a source is trustworthy or not.  Here are a few tips I learned from my time in school:

• Check credentials.  If the person or organisation giving out information is not connected in any way to food production, that is likely not an accurate source.  For example, movie actors are not trustworthy sources in regards to information about climate change.
• What does the source look like?  If a website is plastered with ads, it is likely not trustworthy.
• Blogs (even this one) and web forums are not trustworthy sources of information.  Ever.  Blogs and forums may be a good starting point, but make sure you do your own research beyond what the bloggers say.  A good blog should give you links to additional readings (but be sure to scrutinize those sites as well), unless it is an opinion or personal experience type of blog, which does not need to rely on external information and should definitely not be trusted.
• Is the article/site well-balanced, or is there bias?  Bias tends to twist information so that it is not reliable.
• Where does the website or publication come from?  Sources from established institutions (like government sites) are more reliable.

Are marketers trustworthy sources of information?

No.  Marketers are biased towards their product.  They want you to buy their product and will convince you to do so two different ways:

1. Marketers want you to be drawn to their products by a unique selling point.  For example, a marketer selling beef might say, "Buy our beef!  It is more delicious than other beef!"  That would not be a very compelling selling point, though, so they might try to be more unique and say, "Buy our beef!  It comes from cattle that are only fed native grasses!"
2. Marketers want to keep you from buying their competitors' products.  For example, a marketer selling beef might say, "Buy our beef, because our cattle are not grain-fed (like those other guys)."  The marketer here is not saying that grain-fed beef is bad, but he is implying that grain-fed beef is not as desirable as his beef.  This can cause consumers to ask, "What is wrong with grain-fed beef?"  A quick internet search will scare the consumer off from ever eating grain-fed beef, without having them ask, "What is wrong with grass-fed beef?"

Are farmers trustworthy sources of information?

The answer to this question will not satisfy you.  Here it is:  It depends.  It depends on the farmer's mood, on what kind of information you are looking for, and the expertise of the farmer.  Here are some hints for when you do go to a farmer for information about your food:

• Ask questions instead of making accusations and expecting the farmer to defend himself.  That will put him in a bad mood and he will either not answer you or explode into a rant that will scare you off from ever talking to a farmer again.
• Ask your questions to farmers with the appropriate expertise.  So if you want to know about dairy farming, ask a dairy farmer.  If you want to know about canola, ask someone who grows canola.  Don't expect a chicken farmer to have reliable information about raising beef.
• Don't ask farmers about the latest research.  We do our best to keep up and know what's going on, but research and technology is not our area of expertise.
• Talk to a few different farmers with different backgrounds.  Talk to someone who grows organic products, someone who has a large conventional farm, and someone who is a mixed farmer, to name a few.  Don't just get your information from one person and expect it to be well-rounded.

Are doctors trustworthy sources of information?

Again, the answer to this question is not satisfying: sometimes, sort of.  In recent months I've had quite a bit of contact with the medical profession due to personal health concerns.  One day I hope to write a blog about my interactions with medical professionals, but I'll try not to get side tracked right now.  Doctors know how our bodies work and what makes us sick.  They know a lot about research and understand more about science (especially chemistry and biology) than most people do.  They can be great resources in a one-on-one setting.  I'm going to let my bias show for a moment and say that I do not trust doctors who write about food or health in popular magazines and best-selling books or talk about those topics on television.  If I want information about my health, I will go to my doctor and talk about what is best for me.  Additionally, doctors usually know next to nothing about how food is actually produced.  They are not good sources of information regarding food production.

Where do farmers get their information?

Farmers get their information from a myriad of sources.  Most of us talk to each other to learn new things.  Young farmers go through a steep learning curve when they go through an agricultural college program.  Farmers of all ages can get informed on almost any subject at seminars and conferences throughout the year.  Many farmers also subscribe to various publications - magazines and newspapers, either in print or online - which keep us updated about new advances in agriculture.  We also can get a lot of information from the government, once we figure out where to look.  Finally, we can get information from sources that scare us.  These are people, organizations, publications, and documentaries that threaten our industry.  If we can be brave enough to listen to what these people are saying and to hear their concerns, then we can truly understand what issues are of importance to society and we can be ready to show the world how we are already addressing these issues.

What do I recommend you do if you want to learn more about your food?

If you want to learn more about your food, get information from as many sources as you can.  Talk to farmers, check out government statistics, watch scary documentaries, read agricultural publications that outline advances in the industry, and find as many sides of the story as you possibly can.  Most importantly, ask questions.  Be relentless in your questioning.  Don't let anyone off easy and don't just assume that certain people or organizations can be trusted.  However, if you go down that path, be ready to not understand everything.  Understand that this is a huge industry and no one person can ever hope to understand every aspect of it.

For those of you unsure about where to find agricultural publications and government information about the agricultural sector, these sites might get you started:

• Alberta Famer Express
• The Western Producer 
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Alberta Agriculture and Forestry 
• Beef Cattle Research Council 
• Top Crop Manager 

It can be difficult to figure out which sources are reliable.

Are You Afraid of Your Food?

When I was a child, I was a picky eater.  Some things I just didn't like (for example, pineapple), but most things I wouldn't eat because I was afraid of them.  I was afraid of egg yokes because I thought they would taste gross.  I afraid of hot dogs for a while because I lost a tooth while eating one once.  I was afraid of lasagna because I didn't really grow up eating pasta and anything other than macaroni and spaghetti was just foreign.  However, I eventually overcame these fears.  I started eating hot dogs again and never lost any more teeth while doing so.  I tried lasagna and couldn't believe the deliciousness that I'd been missing all those years.  I tried egg yokes and discovered that I was right.  They do taste gross, but I'll eat them if I have to.  I will now eat almost anything put in front of me (except pineapple) and I am not afraid of my food.

Sometimes I think that the general population is afraid of their food.  I am getting my information on this  from the same source that consumers get their information about food.  I wish I could name that source, but I'm having a bit of difficulty pinpointing it.  It's sort of an amalgamation of restaurant and grocery store advertising campaigns, some farmer's market rhetoric, social media posts, and other odd bits.

Rather than going on a rant that is likely to offend a whole lot of people and help no one, I am going to ask you, my readers, some questions and then go into a brief discussion about each.

Are you afraid that the production of your food is harming the environment?

Farmers understand that if the land is properly cared for, it will produce more food that is healthier and will bring a higher price at market.  It is in our best interests to care for the environment.  Are you concerned about greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural operations?  We are too, and we are working to reduce and counteract these emissions.

Are you afraid that your food is full of pesticides and other chemicals?

Responsible farmers use chemicals responsibly to ensure that they do not enter the food chain.  There are ways to use chemicals that make food production more efficient, do not harm the environment, and do not put the chemicals into food.  If you are worried about chemical residues, wash your fruits and veggies, or buy organic.  If you buy organic, remember that the price will be ridiculously high (many farmers go organic for the high profits, not the environmental effects - can you blame us?) and that there are, in fact, some situations in which certain chemicals can be used in organic production.

Are you afraid that GMO crops will make you sick?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency must approve all food products produced and sold in Canada. They will not approve anything that will make you sick.  Genetically modified organisms are not evil, creepy things grown in petri dishes.  They are crops that have been genetically modified (I know, that sounds scary) in order to make them somehow better for both producers and consumers.  Remember that humans have been playing with genetics in both plants and animals for centuries, crossing species to make new species, and making crops and livestock able to withstand different climatic conditions so they can be grown in different areas of the world.

Are you afraid that the antibiotics used in livestock contribute to antibiotic resistance in human medicine?
There are several reasons to use antibiotics in livestock.  Some antibiotics used in livestock have great significance to human medicine, while others have no significance to human medicine.  Antibiotics that do correlate to human medicine are used sparingly and only when necessary.  You must remember that all inputs (feed, medicine, etc.) in livestock production increase the cost of production.  Producers don't increase costs without a good reason.  We know the pros and cons of using antibiotics in our animals and carefully consider these before using them.  We also know how to prevent those antibiotics from entering the food chain.

Are you afraid that industrialized agriculture is destroying farming culture and distancing you from your food?

Industrialized agriculture is indeed destroying the old way of farming.  That way was inefficient and not always the best for the environment.  Agriculture is changing with the rest of the world.  In fact, throughout history, agriculture has often been at the fore of technological advancement and scientific discovery.  There are now fewer farms and larger farms than ever before.  The rest of the world is becoming more efficient.  There is no reason that agriculture should stay in the dark ages.  As for being removed from what actually goes on at the farm level, it just isn't possible any more for that to be a reality.  Can I expect to fully understand how my equipment works and is produced?  Can I expect to see how my well is drilled and how my water is cleaned?  No, I can't.  But I trust that those who do know how that stuff works are doing their jobs properly.

Are you afraid that livestock are being inhumanely treated in the production of animal products?
Unfortunately, there are people who don't know how to work with animals properly.  Every producer knows that livestock can be extremely frustrating to work with at times.  However, those who understand how to properly handle and care for these animals also understand that calm animals grow better.  In is in our best interest economically to treat our animals humanely.  Farmers are beginning to invest in handling systems that make it easier to safely and humanely handle the livestock.  We are also learning new techniques to keep our animals calm as we work with them.

Are you afraid that it is impossible to get real information about your food?

Sometimes I'm afraid that even farmers will never be able to really explain to consumers exactly how their food is produced.  It's just a lot of information.  What I do know is that marketing campaigns like to play on people's fears and reassure consumers that "we are the safe company".  I'm not blaming big business or small businesses.  I just want you to pay attention to what advertisers are really saying. Don't just repeat negative rhetoric if you don't have concrete evidence of what you are saying.  Don't post and share stuff willy-nilly on social media.  If you want to do research about agriculture, look at what members the agriculture industry (i.e. experts) are saying.

I realise that my very brief responses to these fears may be frustratingly vague.  I would like to address them more fully and will endeavor to do so in the weeks to come.  The main point in all of my responses is that farmers do everything we do for specific reasons that most consumers don't see.

In reading my blogs, please keep in mind that I am a farmer writing for non-farmers.  This means that I have a few limitations.  First and foremost, I don't know everything.  I have hands-on experience, with a diploma in agricultural management.  I'm not a scientist, I don't have expertise in every possible sector of agriculture in the country, and I don't work in all parts of the agricultural industry.  That being said, I know how to access reliable information and I know how things work at the on-farm level.  Second, I don't know what you know.  I have no clue what preconceptions you bring to this blog.  Maybe you agree with me.  Maybe I offend you on a regular basis.  I don't know, and I can't cater to everyone, so all I can do is write what I know and what my experience is.  Finally, I am a farmer speaking to non-farmers.  I have terms in my vocabulary and education in plant and animal biology that you won't understand and that I just don't have to time to explain to you.  My explanations will have to be simpler than I would like for that reason.

If you have any questions or concerns with this blog post or others, please let me know in the comment section below.

I (Finally) Graduated from Ag School

Yesterday I graduated from Olds College, one of the major agricultural schools in Western Canada.  I graduated from the Agricultural Management diploma program with a double major in production and marketing.  I'd like to share a few themes that have dominated my thoughts of my graduation experience with you.

Worldly Honour

At Olds College, as at many other educational institutions, it is possible for a student to graduate with honours if he achieves a high grade point average (GPA) or to graduate with distinction if he achieves an even higher GPA.  At Olds, those who graduate with honours or distinction are given a gold-coloured cord with tassles as they cross the stage.  Three years ago I watched as my sister graduated and got her cord as she crossed the stage at Olds College.  This year it was my turn, as I graduated with distinction.  I've never really understood the point of pointing out students with a particularly high GPA.  The way I see it, the practice only breeds pride and humiliation.  Yesterday as I stood in line waiting for my class's turn to cross the stage, the graduate behind me began making comments about how those students with honours and distinction must think they are so much better than the rest.  I didn't say anything.  I could think of nothing that would have convinced the irritated young man that I don't think I'm better than he is.  I wish I could have.

Years ago, when I was in elementary school, my parents were informed that my sister and I are considered "gifted", which means we are in a certain higher-than-average IQ range.  It means I do well in academic pursuits.  It means that God has blessed me with the ability to do well in school.  It doesn't mean that I'm better or smarter than anyone else.  There are many forms of intelligence, but only one or two are tested and nurtured in schools.  Many of my friends and classmates work hard just to get average grades, but from talking to them and getting to know them, I know that they are extremely intelligent and have gifts that allow them to be good at things that frustrate me.  Yet only those of us with particular gifts are given honour.  It's a poor honour if it degrades others.

Scrap Metal

I didn't just graduate with distinction.  I was bestowed with another honour at the graduation ceremony yesterday.  A little over a week before graduation I received a phone call from the college, informing me that I was to be the recipient of the Governor General's Collegiate Bronze Medal for Olds College.  I was told that this is a huge honour and that I was receiving it for my high grades.  When I got off the phone I went on with my work for the day, which meant washing windows - a rather humbling job for someone having just received news of a big honour.

I know I'm supposed to be honoured to receive this medal, but all I can think is that I'm the one who put the hard work in.  This wasn't just given to me; I earned it.  And besides that, I know that some of my classmates worked far harder to earn the grades they did and put much more effort into their assignments than I did.  With these thoughts, I'm struggling with a battle between feeling above the honour and feeling like I don't deserve it.

Furthermore, I am reminded of Isaiah 64:6, which says, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."  This medal can ultimately do nothing for me, just like my hard work can do nothing for me.  One day I will die and no worldly honour will keep that from happening.  I cannot take my stuff with me when I join my Lord in heaven.  I won't want it then anyways.  On that day, if my righteous acts, the good things I do, will be like filthy rags - useless, gross things my dad burns - then this medal is, at best, a fancy piece of scrap metal.  I'm sure my attitude will surprise and offend some readers, but I really can't see the honour.  It's a nice chunk of bronze, and the artwork done to engrave it is impressive, but in the end, it is nothing.

Friends and Family

Now that I've likely killed the joy in reading this post, let us move on to happier topics.  The best part of graduation was spending time with friends I haven't seen in over a month.  These are friends I saw on a weekly, or sometimes daily, basis.  I've also gotten to know some of their families and I got to see them again at graduation, too.  There were many friends who did not make it to graduation and I missed them, but it was absolutely wonderful to spend time with those who did make it, even if it was just a few brief moments of visiting with some of them.  I was blessed to be able to spend more time with a few of my friends, reminiscing and teasing each other like we always do.

My parents were able to come see the graduation ceremony and spend time with me, my friends, and their families afterwards.  It's nice to have supportive parents who haven't grown exasperated by my many years in post-secondary school and my many program changes.  My sister, who lives on the other side of the country, was not able to come, but she was able to watch most of the ceremony from the live feed on the college website.  I am honoured that she would take time from her busy day to watch speeches and wait to see me cross the stage for a brief moment.  A good friend in Ontario also watched the live feed, and two of my Alberta friends took time out of their weekends to come watch in person.

My favourite times of the weekend were spent hanging out with friends.  I was able to spend time visiting with some people at Tim Horton's the night before graduation, which was amazing!  I was used to visiting with my friends after Bible study in Olds at Tim Hortons, so this was sort of like old times, with a bunch of people crowded around a table late at night (except the crowd was smaller this time).  I also had fun after the ceremony spending time with my friends and visiting over cake, fruit, and lemonade.  Had my friends not been there and had my family not cared, there would have been no point in going to my graduation ceremony.  I would have just had the diploma mailed to me.

Hugs

Those who know me know that I generally am not comfortable with hugs.  Somehow they often end up being awkward, probably because I don't give hugs very often.  Other times the hugs themselves are okay, but I just don't see the point.  You see, I'm used to giving hugs only on special occasions, for example, if I see someone I haven't seen in a long time or am saying goodbye to someone I won't see for a long time.  Weddings are also good for free hugs.  For some reason I just don't like hugs under any other circumstances.  Because of this, I just try to avoid hugs in most circumstances or try to get it over with quickly.  Of course, I know that isn't the best way to go, but it's how I cope in uncomfortable situations.

However, there are the rare few hugs that are really great.  They aren't awkward at all, they are meaningful because they show how much a friend cares, and I'm usually not trying to avoid them.  I got one of those hugs from a good friend as I was leaving yesterday.  I also got some okay hugs - ones that were expected and not awkward, but nothing super special.  The hugs helped make the day special.

Learning

I've been learning plenty in the last few years.  There is so much I didn't know that I didn't know about farming.  One of my favourite teachers is retiring now.  It's too bad, because he challenged me to learn for the sake of expanding my knowledge, instead of just learning enough to get decent grades.  I'm sure more students would benefit from his wealth of knowledge.

Now that I'm done college, I won't have the chance to learn through lectures and assignments, or just walk up to an instructor and ask my questions.  However, my instructors and friends from the college have given me countless tips and resources that will help me to continue expanding my knowledge.  I look forward to learning more as I enter my career in agriculture.

Overall my day (and my whole time at Olds) was pretty great, but not because of all the formal honours of crossing the stage with my classmates.  My day was great because I got to spend it with friends and family.  Graduation means I have ended school, but it also means I get to keep learning, but in different ways.

My parents and I after the ceremony.