Thank God I'm a Country Girl

There's an endless list of reasons why I am ridiculously lucky to be a country girl, but sometimes the little things just remind me once again why I can never take a day for granted in this beautiful country I call home. 

Farmers and ranchers are passionate about what they do. To us it's not just a job, it's a lifestyle. We don't get to punch a nine to five time clock, and we don't get to call in sick, but we do get to be there on our farms and ranches all day every day, experience and know all the ins and outs of our operations. These are the exact reasons why the "Family Farm" is so important in our food industry. If all of our food was produced entirely by large corporations they would need to employ workers. Workers are only there for their paycheck and do not have their livelihoods invested in the operation, therefore food quality and safety is not upheld with utmost care as it would be should livestock, crops, or produce be in the care of a farm family who's entire lives are devoted to the success of their farm or ranch. The love of the land, the animals, and the lifestyle is why we do what we do everyday! 

Here are some of the reasons why everyday I thank God I'm a country girl!!

- I get to breath fresh air everyday

- I can go ride my horse any time I want

- I can wear my jeans and boots everyday and fit right in

- I can grow all my own food on my own land

- I watch as calves are born, run and play together, and grow up right before my eyes

- I can really go fishing in the dark in my own backyard

- I fall asleep to the sound of frogs croaking and coyotes howling every night, never sirens or honking horns

So the next time you go to the grocery store to buy your food, think about where it comes from and the people and lifestyle that produces that food for you... all of the hard work and hours that are put into every aspect of production... and all of the care and passion that producers have for what matters most to them.