Blogging from time to time affords me a unique opportunity to move beyond the Queendom, learn more about the world around me, and hopefully make a difference. So when the wonderful folks at Indiana’s Family of Farmers offered me the opportunity to visit the Indiana State House for Ag Day earlier in March, I jumped on the opportunity. I knew I would see several bloggers that I adore {Holla Ladies Jen, Ann-Marie, Cris, Katy, Jacqueline, and Crystal}:
And as with any Indiana Family of Farmers or Real Farmwives of America event, I KNEW the food? It would be ah-mazing. In fact, there were top chefs from Indiana Food Trucks who specialize in cooking up Indiana’s own farm fresh ingredients into deliciousness that looks like this:
I promise I ate more than the cupcakes but if I’m honest? I started with one and ended with one, too.
But what I hadn’t anticipated was learning all I did about agriculture in the great Hoosier State:
- Indiana ranks 1st for commercial duck production. We’re #1! We’re #1! We’re #1!
- Indiana Pork farmers make enough pork to feed 25 million people each year. Soooweee.
- A hen can lay about 300 eggs each year. Sunnyside up or scrambled?
- Most milk travels only 100 miles from the farm to the grocery store. Mooooo.
Nor did I anticipate meeting this guy:
Yep, that’s yours truly with Indiana Governor Mike Pence. It’s also yours truly with Indiana Governor Mike Pence being photobombed by Lady Liz of Two Maids A Milking, one of those Real Farmwives whom I love so dearly. {I suppose it *might* be better than being photo bombed by an orchid like my friend Lady Jen in her pic with the governor}. I was also unbelievably impressed with the young men and women representing FFA, many who participated and placed in the 2013 Indiana Ag Essay Contest. Those kids are crazy smart and talented.
I grew up in a farming community. And the life lessons I witnessed from those in the agricultural community are worth their weight in gold. Those who bring us foods from tractor to truck, make a difference both in our state and in the world. And they know how to grow things, not just from the earth but from the heart. Some of the most generous people I know are farmers. They rise early, go to bed late, hand craft a crop, live frugally {making waste of nothing}, raise really awesome kids who know the value of work, and let’s face it they have a whole area of expertise that the majority of us will never understand. And Real Farmwives? I’ve never met one who was inhospitable or who couldn’t make my jeans feel squeezy after a home cooked meal.
So if your life’s pursuits involve agriculture, I tip my crown to thee. You work hard and I’m thankful for what you do. Also, my belly thanks you, too.
This post was sponsored by Indiana Family of Farmers. That means I was compensated for this post. For more details, you can read my Disclosure Policy. You get to read about agriculture in Indiana, I get a few dollars in the Royal Emergency fund. All is well and royally swell. This post was not edited or reviewed by anyone else as you can tell by my grammar and crazy random thoughts. I always give you my honest opinions in any Royal Review or Give Away post, that’s a Royal Guarantee! As well, a special thanks to Lady Cris of Goodness Gracious for the pictures!
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