Growing up on a farm, I was always told that I am the future of agriculture. It’s a title that I have proudly carried for years.
Now that I am getting older and close to graduating college, this phrase is becoming more real. Instead of observing the world of agriculture from afar, I now find myself taking an active role in learning about the future of our industry.
The 2023 National Ag Day theme is “Growing a Climate for Tomorrow”. When asked what this means to me, the first thing that comes to my mind is the land. It plays a key role in the climate, providing natural resources, a place to live and, most importantly, food.
Ever since I could remember, I watched my dad fill out and study paperwork at the kitchen table. While at the time I had no idea what he was working on, I now see that it was all about our cropland.
Our farm has always been focused on sustaining and conserving the land. We’ve completed many projects and incorporated new practices into our farm. In 2017, my dad was awarded the Eau Claire County Conservation Farmer of the Year. This award was received through many conservation efforts on the farm. We built a barnyard with a manure filter system, planted cover crops, and started no-tilling our soybeans and corn. When land isn’t sufficient for crops, we fence in the area for cattle pastures.
Growing a climate for tomorrow has countless meanings to different people. As a future agriculturist, I view it as being a good steward of the land. Taking care of our rolling hills, flat cropland, forests, water sources and livestock is crucial for the future of agriculture.
Farmers are doing their best to ensure that the land is preserved while also remaining productive for the future. With the world population on the rise, we need to sustain and conserve our agricultural resources for generations to come.
Think of the future generations that will be impacted by the climate of tomorrow. They deserve the opportunity to properly feed and clothe the world. Right now, it’s up to us as agriculturists to be the caretakers, stewards and producers of our world. I am excited about the future because I know our environment is good hands with our farmers.
Heidi Strey is Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Communications Intern. She is currently attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls and is involved in her family’s beef farm near Osseo.
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