I recently wandered around a cattle show with a notebook in my hand and a camera around my neck trying to decipher one breed from the next. When I came upon a huge, white Charolais, I stopped in awe.
“That’s the biggest cow I’ve ever seen,” I murmured to myself. And then came the snickering.
Standing beside me were two cattle producers who had obviously overheard my comment.
I laughed, blushed and said, “It’s my first cattle show.”
And so my internship has gone. It has been three months of new experiences, a few embarrassing moments and tonnes of questions. Fortunately, my queries were always welcome, no matter what the topic.
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My phone calls mid-harvest were never an inconvenience. In fact, they often ended in an open invitation to call again. A friendly stranger wearing a cowboy hat who opened a door for me later turned into a knowledgeable teacher.
During my time at the Western Producer, farmers have been generous with their stories and candid with their experiences. It has been a privilege to help them share their triumphs and tribulations with others.
In my interview for the Producer, I remember editor Barb Glen asking my views on why people choose to farm in spite of its many challenges.
My response was this: “There is something about seeing the first sign of life growing out of the ground or finishing the last turn in the field with the combine. There is something about the satisfaction that comes after a hard day’s work. Farming is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle.”
I still believe that. My favourite stories were those where I spoke to people who have experienced the ups and downs of the industry. Farming conditions rarely seem to improve, yet farmers continue to trudge onward.
Now that my internship has come to an end, I will return to the University of Regina to continue my studies. By April 2006, I will be a full-fledged journalist, ready to take on the world.
People like me can play an important role in agriculture because we are the future of the industry. I hope I’ve contributed a fresh perspective on some issues.
It’s difficult to say where my career will take me, but my experiences at the Western Producer can only be a benefit. Who knows, I may end up writing here again one day.
I tried to absorb information like a sponge here and I’ve only begun to unravel the tangled knot that is agriculture.
There’s one thing I do know for sure, though. That cow really was big.
