"Well in the town where I was raised,
the clock ticks and the cattle grazed
the clock ticks and the cattle grazed
Time passed with amazing grace,
Back where I come from
..........
Back where I come from
Where I'll be when its said and done
I'm proud as anyone
That's where I come from
Some say it's a backward place,
narrow minds on a narrow wage
But I make it a point to say, that's where I come from"
As I grew up on a small family owned farm in southwestern Minnesota, I can think of so many memories and opportunities that I had and...
I would not have wanted to grow up any differently!
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| Home is Where the Heart Belongs |
I grew up a farm girl always wanting to be outside with the animals and following Dad around. I was definately the tag-a-long and Dad's little peanut; still am today even though I am almost as tall as he and that much older. Dad told me about a year ago, that he knew how much I love my boyfriend and that he is willing to share me with Roger but just to always remember that I'll always be his little girl. Dad and I do have a great relationship from running around the farm doing things together, long drives in the truck and trailer headed to cattle shows, years of basketball memories, and singing our song "Butterfly Kisses."
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| I would try to dress like Dad but I would always have him stop what he was doing and sit with me for a snack or lunch! :) |
Daddy's Little Girl
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| Discussing how to do things at 2011 JNHE |
Dad grew up on the same farm I did and so I am proud to say that I am the third generation Hanson to aid in growing crops and raising cattle on that homestead. Our main operation on the farm is row crops. Now, this wasn't my favorite part of the farm but I would help out IF I needed to, but between Aaron, Adam, Jody, Chad (Jody's boyfriend), Mom(occassionally, mainly stock chopper), Dad, my aunt June(who typically spends at least a week home during harvest and planting season), and Bucky; they took care of it. Now Bucky was an old local farmer who Dad helped out during his high school years and after Bucky retired from farming he still couldn't stay away so he came and helped us and two years ago allowed Adam to start renting his land. He became like a Grandpa to me since I never really got the chance to know my Grandpa Hanson as he was diagnosed with alzehmers when I was young and my Grandpa Cunningham lived further away and was unable to see him very often. It was a hard time this past fall when they discovered a tumor on Bucky's brain and we saw him fade fast and is now with his good father in heaven. I don't make it back home too often but on March 3rd I found myself at home to say my last goodbye to this incredible man who always gave me a hard time about being on my phone texting all the time but he kept me smiling.
As I was saying, we have about 1200 acres of row crops. We raise corn, soybeans, and oats in which some is utilized as food for our cattle. When I was younger, most of my farming involvement was found as a rock picker. Oh, the good times we would have rock picking. We would get our friends from town to come out and pick rocks all morning and part of the afternoon and then get rewarded by playing 4-wheeler tag or heading to Mound Creek a.ka. the Dam to cool off in the local swimming hole. Also, when we weren't in school yet, Jody, our neighbor(basically brother) Nick, and I would ride along with Dad in the tractor and combine and typically end up falling asleep as Dad would putt-putt away to the sound of our heads hitting the window as we bounced over the bumps in the field.
No matter what, in every aspect of our operation we ALL offer our helping hand.
And yes, we do ONLY use those green John Deere tractors!
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Animals, animals, animals! They are what I love. I have a huge soft spot for animals especially cats and cattle. When I was 6 years old, Mom gave me the option to choose between 4-H or Girl Scouts and obviously my animal loving heart chose 4-H. As I watched my older siblings work with their 4-H projects, I wasn't too far behind wanting to get involved with leading the cattle, washing the pigs, or picking out chickens.
My love for animals has traveled with me to Nebraska. I am proud of where I come from and appreciate the way I was brought up, but will leave my share of the operation to my siblings when that time comes. My passion for the beef industry and a love for a certain sandhills cowboy landed my heart and soul in Nebraska and that is where I plan to stay.
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| Brown County 4-H Beef Show
Jody's last year as a 4-Her
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| My favorite NJHA Boardies Matt, Jaime, Austin, Tamar |
Throughout my entire life, Mom and Dad have allowed me to chase my dreams which has opened doors to soooo many opportunities. Being involved in music in sports throughtout my entire high school career was just the start of memories and friendships. When I found my true passion of agriculture in about 8th grade that was when things began to change. I started to see things on a national level and became with friends with individuals all across the nation. 4-H is what got me started. The friends and memories I've made through 4-H and beef organizations such as the National Junior Hereford Association are the ones I will remember for years to come. Not to mention that I met Roger through the Hereford association. Funny how things work themselves out.
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Cattle get to live on grass and dirt year round out here
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While in Nebraska, I've experienced life as a rancher rather than a farmer. I've gone from farm girl to what you could say a cowgirl. As many of my weekends during the school year are either spent on the road to a cattle show or out at The Ranch learning new things every time....
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| My FIRST cattle drive |
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If I want to ride horse anymore, that means
I'll be doing work on horseback, rain or shine! |
No matter where I come from and no matter where I am going, I will always remember the family values I grew up with, to treat animals with a loving heart, and to be THANKFUL for all the blessings in my life.
THANK YOU MOM AND DAD
THANK YOU AARON, ADAM, & JODY
THANK YOU GRANDMA HANSON & JUNE
THANK YOU ROGER & MORGAN FAMILY
most of all THANK YOU LORD
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES YOU HAVE PROVIDED ME WITH AND THE SUPPORT THROUGH ALL OF MY LIFE ADVENTURES PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE!
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