It’s comparable to harvest in some ways, with its preparation and flurry of activity, followed by an assessment of what was accomplished.
And not coincidentally, the annual editorial conference at The Western Producer is held during harvest, when news slows down while farmers are occupied in the field.
The seven reporters in bureaus travel to meet with Saskatoon-based reporters and editors. There are 23 of us, plus assorted other staff and guests.
Is the power point presentation finished? Will the projector function properly? Did we remember to order morning coffee and doughnuts? Are the gifts ready for the guest speakers? Is my fly zipped?
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These and other questions crowded my brain as I drove through farmland on the way to the office and the chairmanship of the meeting. Preparation over weeks would culminate in events of the next two days.
The tension seemed to concentrate itself in my neck as I sped around a curve. And then, to my right, I saw an island of calm in this stressful sea.
In the long light of post-dawn, a horse stood in a corral, head down and still. Standing with arms around its neck in a companionable hug was a person wearing a blue coat. Age and gender of the person, and of the horse for that matter, were not obvious from my distance.
But the scene was so peaceful, and the connection between person and horse so clear, that it suddenly bathed the coming day in a soothing glow.
There are courses that use horses to teach leadership. Our equine friends, with their innate horse sense, are apparently superb instructors in leadership and teamwork.
What could I extract from this unexpected sight and insight?
Would my fellow workhorses find meaning in a planned session with guests experienced in agricultural communication? Would they appreciate words straight from the horse’s mouth?
Or would there be horse play?
What kind of horsepower could I bring to the gathering? Doubtless there would be neighsayers, as there are in every crowd, but so long as they weren’t allowed to get the bit in their teeth, value could be realized.
Fortunately most editorial staffers are horses of a different colour – professional, dedicated and loyal to the Producer and its readers.
Does that sound like I’m on a high horse? I hope not.
I thank that anonymous horse owner for his or her insight. Thanks also to Lilian Schaer, Mark Wartman, Scott Brown, Rod Delahey, Kathy Larson, Blaine Canitz and Garry Hnatowich for sharing their words of wisdom last week.
