Before pushing the door closed on 2020, consider giving the gift of opportunity
By Julie Deering, PIF Trustee Chair
I sit writing this in the early a.m. hours after being home with my recently turned 3-year-old son who has been in “jail,” formally known as quarantine, for nearly 14 days. I’d be lying if I said balancing a desk job with Henry has been easy. Looking up from a Zoom meeting, I see he has highlighted his face orange and yellow, and previously decided to trim the mane on his rocking horse. I also spy a few blue chalk markings around the eye — yes, we’ve been watching the movie “Spirit.” … And, yes, outdoors is where this boy belongs!
We put our boots, coats, and hats on and head out to swing and watch the cows. As I pull back the swing with my arms around Henry and then let go, his laugh fills the air. I step back just enough not to be knocked over by the swing but stay close enough to push with one arm while I try to check email with my left. “Higher, Mama!” he shouts. “Push me higher.” I’m still in the thread of my first email. I try to finish reading those last few sentences before tucking my phone in my coat pocket, almost as if it’s one action. With both hands, I step into the push and after a few Henry is going as high as the swing allows. I stand up straight, pull my shoulders back and look up at the sky and give a big exhale.
“You’ve got this,” I say in my mind, not directing it toward God or myself but hoping somehow everything will come together and get done without any alarms.
For many, the list of struggles that have flogged 2020 is legal-pad worthy. Uncertainty. Loss. Isolation. Disruption. Shutdowns. Conflict.
While I’m ready to say “Peace out, 2020,” I’m reminded of the many people and things for which I’m grateful, Henry and Charley being two of them. I’m also grateful for AAEA: The Agricultural Communicators Network and the Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) and the many friendships that have been made because of these two organizations.
My first Ag Media Summit was in Louisville in 2007; I joined so I could learn and improve my skills. What I didn’t realize was the people I would meet along the way would become family. Legends whose work I had been reading for years and whose writings informed the decisions being made on the family farm in Flat Rock, Ind., I greeted with a firm handshake and quick nod. Mentors who saw potential, they asked questions, listened, and encouraged. And friends — oh, the memories created, moments shared, tears shed and laughs belted out along the way! I know that at the drop of a hat this community of agricultural communicators would be there for any one of our family members should something go awry.
I’m grateful for this organization and the professional development opportunities it provides, but it’s the people for which I’m truly grateful. We must continue to bring people together, welcome new agricultural communicators and create opportunities. Many of these opportunities are supported by funding from the Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF).
Each year, PIF provides scholarships and internships for students in agricultural communications. It’s these students who go on to work in the industry, join the organization and make an impact on the profession as a whole. Additionally, PIF makes programs such as the Communications Awards contests in writing, photography, design, digital media and marketing possible. It provides grants for regional workshops, webinars and the Ag Media Summit.
As we approach #GivingTuesday and the year end, this is your chance to pay it forward so your peers in the industry can have the opportunity for growth and advancement, and the chance to create their own memories. Giving to PIF means opening the path for students to become excellent journalists, PR professionals, photographers, designers, publishers and more. Giving to PIF is an investment in the future of the organization and your professional development.
That pair of boots I purchased last year, they have holes in the soles and now reside in the dumpster. I can guarantee your investment in PIF will last much longer and extend beyond your initial intention. That’s a gift that will set the stage for the future of agricultural communications, for learning and the opportunity for advancement in the profession and for celebrating excellence. I will be gifting more to PIF this year, to the red bell ringers and handing out some food to those with cardboard signs in the days to come. I hope you’ll join me and do the same.
Henry has fallen asleep on the hoop swing. He’s covered with a few small blankets and while I try to catch up on my to-do list, I look up and wonder: What will he be? What will he do? Where will he spend his time and talents? He could be farmer. He could be a veterinarian. Maybe a zookeeper? Hmmm, what about livestock judge or the next great animal welfare specialist? It’s not uncommon to see him on the barn floor evaluating our lamb or inspecting the creep feed. Anything with animals! He might be the next Greg Henderson, but he talks a lot more than Greg. Maybe the next Orion Samuelson.
Let’s pay it forward. Let’s continue to set the stage. Let’s create opportunity and invest in the future.
You can donate any amount you want online right now, and check this off your to-do list.