Take the time to act  Jeff Bathhurst
Jan. 30, 2011

Jeff Bathhurst is the 2011 YF&R Kansas Chair.  The following is his wrap-up speech to YF&R attendees at the 2011 conference.

The Temperature is dropping outside, Just in time for us to get back to our farms and Ranches. I trust though that the ideas, passions, drive, and ability we all have, are sparked and ready to be cooked up, no pun intended Dr. Stamp. We have spent a weekend soaking in information and collecting ideas. Now it is our time to act as we work to farm beyond our fields through agricultural advocacy, weather it is through Online Social media, working with our Legislators, Face to face interactions with the people we come in contact or those chances we have with the media.

We have been challenged by Dr. Stamp NOT to use our past experiences to work out today and tomorrows problems. Did that statement surprise you? This is hard for a 1^st Born farm boy like me who learned from the hard knocks of what not to do next time because of this times mistakes. To solve our problems with HSUS, EPA, and our other hurdles, we must first ask ourselves what is our underlying problem? Or Miss information.

I agree with Dr. Stamp that we have a problem with what is truth in today's society. And how do people learn truth? They must have the ability to educate themselves openly and honestly. Looking back on my education in college; one of my more enjoyable classes was a food science class. In this class I got to learn some of the integral things that are done just to keep our food fresh, safe, and nutritious. I learned about, at that time a new concept of irradiated food, a tool that could insure a safe food supply by destroying bacteria. But in my opinion, this process is not used to it's full potential, maybe simply because of the intimidating word “irradiated.” . We need to educate ourselves so that we can educate others. Let the work begin! And do we communicate our farm's value? The Springers from the 3^rd District are not just a hog farmer who manages 23 employees. He is a pork producer who feeds 240,000 Americans per year! It is not just as simple as just telling the facts of what we do but sharing the value as well. A to the world's population that adds value to their health,hunger, life and lifestyle.

I think we also should be able to conclude that it just takes everyday people. Like Troy and Stacey Hayrick, and Bill Broadie. These individuals found a problem, a need, and an opportunity and have been a part of the solution. It is up to us to do our part in our way. Here is my challenge: when you get home, before you call it a day, put on your calendar a date to spend some time to tell your story. Maybe it is the next county board meeting or just a noted day off. I don't know how it works for your family but for Charity and I. If it gets put on the calendar it gets done! And if it gets done often enough it soon becomes a way of life. Let us now take the time to act.

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