Kansas
Farmer
“Cody,
you're a Missouri Hillbilly,” my grandpa said.
I was visiting my mother's
family in Missouri, and my grandpa reasoned that because my mom grew
up in Missouri, I was a Missouri Hillbilly. I thought about this
just briefly before responding. “No Grandpa, I'm a Kansas Farmer!”
This “argument” went on until I was about to leave my
grandparent's that night. My grandpa and I compromised. We decided
that whenever I crossed the Missouri River I became a Missouri
Hillbilly for the time that I was in Missouri, but whenever my family
crossed back into Kansas, I became a Kansas Farmer for the time I was
there.
That night as a four year
old kid, I stayed awake until about midnight when my family crossed
the Missouri river again, and I became a Kansas Farmer!
Grandpa
As I four year old I was
excited to become a Kansas Farmer. I found my drive and inspiration
for becoming a Kansas Farmer by watching my grandfather. I was
always excited to help Grandpa feed cows, start combining corn, or
run the skid steer. As I got older there was always a piece of me
that held onto the dream of following my Grandpa and becoming a
Kansas Farmer. I was inspired to be like my grandfather, a
hardworking man who wouldn't always say a lot, but who spoke more
with his actions than many people can say in a lifetime of words. I
was inspired to be like my grandfather who without hesitating would
let his grandsons borrow his mower when theirs was broken, even
though there was a good chance his mower would need repairs when they
were done with it. I was inspired to be like my grandfather who
served his family and friends and would drop whatever he was doing in
a heartbeat to do so.
That's
What I Want To Be Part Of...
There has always been
something about agriculture and rural life that I loved and wanted to
be part of. I am inspired by the the way life on a farm teaches
people the values of hard work and never giving up, and that's what I
want to be part of. I am inspired by the way people in a rural
community care for each other, and that's what I want to be part of.
I am inspired by the spirit that allows a neighbor to drive just a
couple minutes to get to your house, but take an hour to get back
home. That is what I want to be part of. I am inspired by the space
children have to run around, grow, and learn values, and that is what
I want to be part of. I am inspired by the faith it takes to plant a
seed in the ground and know that it will come up and you will be
taken care of, and that is what I want to be part of. I am inspired
by FFA and the way it challenges members to ignite their premier
leadership, personal growth, and career success; that is what I want
to be part of.
What inspires you?
What do you want to be
part of?
