Giving Thanks

I've just returned from a much needed weekend back home at the farm. In a shocking turn of events, there was no cattle work to be done. This was entirely the fault of the rain that muddied up our corrals, thus preventing us from giving our females vaccinations as was planned. I did, however, pay a couple visits to my lovely bovines and I am happy to report they're as content as ever. Chewing their cud and what-not.

Look! Cows!

It's Canadian Thanksgiving, so in the true spirit of the holiday, I thought I'd share a few things with y'all that this city-dwelling, education-getting, country girl is thanking her lucky stars for.

1. My family. It's not very often anymore that we get all three girls and my parents together in the same place. I'm grateful for the laughs my sisters and I have quoting silly YouTube videos and being able to sit down and brag to my parents about what I've been up to. My grandparents and their excitement over our latest adventures, as well as hilarious comments, always make the holidays special.

Rosie, Byron, Roberta, Carolyn, Jocelyn
Picture by the very talented (and coolest photographer I know), Grant Rolston 

2. My involvement in 4-H. I attended the Southern Alberta 4-H Regional Celebration on Friday night with my sister Jocelyn and my parents to be recognized for a scholarship. My ten year career as a 4-H member allowed me to build communication and leadership skills, and motivated me to pursue a career in agriculture. I am thankful for my years as a member and the fact that the program keeps giving back to me in the form of scholarships and opportunities as an alumni.

3. The farm. Living in a city full-time has truly made me grateful for my upbringing in agriculture. I enjoy the city and university life a lot, but nothing quite compares to the fresh air and open space back at home.

Happy place.

4. My education. I'm grateful to be pursuing an education in the field that I grew up in. I know this is what I was born to do, and I'm extremely grateful to be able to do it. I'll try and remember than next time I'm writing a history paper at 2 am and cursing my university (ahem..last night).

And just since four is a weird number for a list, I'm going to cap it off there. What are you thankful for?

Summer Synergy Youth Livestock Showcase

The countdown is on for my favorite Alberta youth livestock event of the summer.

Summer Synergy had it's first year last year, and was wildly successful. The goal of the show is to "synergize" different breeds and species into one collaborative show. This year it will host the Provincial Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Limousin, and Shorthorn breed shows, as well as the Provincial 4-H Dairy, Horse, and Sheep shows, and the Calgary Stampede International Youth Livestock Show.

It runs from July 9-17 in Olds, Alberta, hosting approximately 200 youth from Alberta and neighboring provinces. There will be nearly $55 000 in scholarship money available for individuals who participate in the required events, in the amount of $2000 down to $500.

Receiving our scholarships on the Grandstand at the Calgary Stampede

For a Senior (15-21) to be eligible for a scholarship, they must participate in Confirmation and Showmanship (show an animal), Show Team Judging, Multi-Species Judging, and Marketing.

I will be participating in all these categories, with the two heifers I introduced you to here as my livestock component. I'll also be participating in a few categories unique to the Alberta Jr. Hereford Show, including public speaking and art & literature.

The marketing component is where this blog comes into play.

This year, Crystal.Cattle and Laura Bodell had the great idea to have Senior members create an Agvocacy blog as their marketing component. There are over 50 blogs that were created for this competition, and you can see the list here.

That's where I need your help!

The more followers, views, and dialogue I have on my blog, the better, as far as the marketing competition goes. Don't fear, the end of the marketing competition is not the end of this blog. I have far too much to say to quit now :)

So if you stop by the blog once in a while, feel free to become a follower! Let me know what you think of the posts in the comments, and any suggestions you have are welcome.

To learn more about Summer Synergy, visit their website.