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Posted By Katie On November 30, 2013 1 Comment

From Maryland to Nebraska, She’s An Author, Mom & Advocate: Meet Becky Chaney #WomenInAg

Filed Under: Women In Ag Tagged With: 30 Days, sharing your voice, Women in Ag 1 Comment

Becky Chaney, Nebraska

“My degree is in agricultural journalism. I continue to be an advocate for agriculture by working with my daughters on ag educational children’s books and by going into classrooms to give ag educational presentations. As a rancher, I believe it’s up to every farmer and rancher in this country to do something positive for our ag community, even donating one accurate ag book per year to their community’s library or school makes a difference.” Becky Chaney, author, rancher, mom and wife who recently moved from Maryland to Nebraska. 

The first I knew of Becky Chaney was when my Uncle Jim, a longtime Polled Hereford (white-faced, red cows, no horns for the non-cow people) cattleman, gave our daughter Elizabeth, Little Star: Raising Our First Calf as a gift. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count up how many times I read that book to Elizabeth in the first winter we had it. Little Star planted a love for Jim’s calves in both our daughters.

Becky and I have many shared friends and connections in the ag industry but we have yet to meet in person. But this is what I know about Becky that I dearly love and respect: she follows her dreams. She advocates for her passions, writing and speaking for agriculture education. She keeps her faith strong. She is a committed mother and wife. Read this article on the Chaney’s Australian adventure and their now move from Maryland to  Nebraska for a new lifestyle. 

Becky cares about others immensely and is passing that down to her daughters, Rianna and Sheridan, who have been raising money in their Elwood, Nebraska school and community this fall for South Dakota Rancher Relief fundraising. I have a feeling our girls would get along famously. 

I am going to let you in on a little Christmas surprise. My girls only have Becky, Rianna and Sheridan’s first book but there is a now a fifth book. Earlier this fall, I contacted Becky and ordered five bundles of the five book series. I am using a couple for gifts (and one will be staying at our house but don’t tell), donating one full series to our local library and then I am going to giveaway two full series as giveaways in December on this blog. Each series is over a $50+ value and I can’t wait to make a couple little kids Christmas brighter with the books. (You can order books now on Becky’s website also!)

Agriculture books that are accurate are extremely important to me and I am so thankful for Becky and her girls for creating a series of books that are not only ag accurate but are inspiring my young daughters to love agriculture. It makes my heart swell and my eyes tear up thinking of  my kids having a love for agriculture and farm life as children and not waiting to figure that out until they are in their 20’s like I did. 

Becky resides on a ranch in Elwood, Nebraska with her family including her husband of 16 years, Lee and their ten-year old twin daughters, Rianna and Sheridan.

Meet Becky Chaney, in her own words. 

What is your role in agriculture today? My degree is in agricultural journalism. I continue to be an advocate for agriculture by working with my daughters on ag educational children’s books and by going into classrooms to give ag educational presentations. As a rancher, I believe it’s up to every farmer and rancher in this country to do something positive for our ag community, even donating one accurate ag book per year to their community’s library or school makes a difference.

Photo from "Our Star Goes West." Cowgirl Montella helps Rianna hold down her first calf during branding day.

Photo from “Our Star Goes West.” Cowgirl Montella helps Rianna hold down her first calf during branding day. 

How has agriculture shaped your life? Agriculture has no doubt shaped me into the person I am today. From my early years in 4-H to my career in ag journalism and to the hours I can devote to helping with chores, I feel richly blessed to have had all the experiences that I have had in agriculture.
 
What excites you about your community? It’s a small town, population 761. There is one school, grades K through 12. It truly amazes me that this small town can accomplish so much with regard to youth activities, adult functions and how they aways promote a real sense of caring.
 
When was the last time you tried something for the first time? I decided to really challenge myself this year and become a substitute teacher. This gives me the unique opportunity to get into classrooms and promote agriculture every chance I get.
 
What do you do to encourage others? I am the new livestock judging coach in the county. I work with the kids and try to make them each feel special. I try to give them the tools and resources to become better livestock judges and encourage them that with hard work, they will succeed.
 
Who/what serves as a source of encouragement for you? My daughters serve as my greatest source of encouragement. They always amaze me with their determination, eagerness to compete and their kind and sensitive nature. They started a Rancher Relief Fund in school to help the farmers and ranchers who lost thousands of livestock in the early October blizzard in South Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming. They are also knitting hats for cancer kids at St. Jude’s. They get so excited to help others and it always makes me smile to know Lee and I are raising such loving and caring daughters.
 
Which children’s book best describes your childhood/life? I would have to say, “Mini Milk Maids on the Mooove.” It’s the only dairy book in our five-book set and I was raised on dairy farm. The book includes pictures of the girls with their grandfather, (my dad). I’ll always treasure the memories I have of milking cows with my dad and brothers. I admire dairy farmers so much, but have to say, I’m glad Lee doesn’t milk cows any more.
 
What is your favorite home-cooked meal? My favorite home-cooked meal would have to be Thanksgiving. It’s always so yummy and holds special memories. My mom had colon cancer surgery 23 years ago, two days before Thanksgiving. She put me in charge of Thanksgiving dinner. Well, it turned out okay, but I did put the turkey in upside down and left its package of innards inside the bird. My family has never let me forget that. Thanksgiving is special because my mom is a 23-year cancer survivor and its that day of the year you really can give extra thanks for the many blessings in your life.

Photo from "Our Star Goes West" Sheridan visits with the new foal at the ranch. The new book features many new experiences with ranch life for the girls.

Photo from “Our Star Goes West” Sheridan visits with the new foal at the ranch. The new book features many new experiences with ranch life for the girls.

 
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor? I can’t just pick one. I’ve had several people in the ag industry that have been incredible role models to me and helpful during my career. But I also have to say, my best friend Kelly. She does all the photography for our children’s book series. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor and she amazes me. She did photo shoots when she was undergoing chemo. She went to her son’s games when she didn’t feel good. I just think she is an inspiration to a lot of people.
 
If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?  I would share the three life lessons I include in my speaking presentations. 1) OPPORTUNITY – Take advantage of every opportunity no matter how nervous or afraid you are or what other people say. 2) APPRECIATION – make sure your co-workers, teachers, family know you appreciate them – say thank you to someone every chance you get. 3) PRIORITIES – Make sure you have your priorities straight, faith, family and farming. Say “I love you” every chance you get.
 
I would also let them know how amazing U.S. farmers and ranchers are and the significant role they play in the providing food and fiber for people around the world. I think if more people knew that each American farmer and rancher feeds 153 people in the U.S. and abroad that they would be appreciated more for their hard work and sacrifices.
 
What makes you smile? Seeing the girls excitement when they help save a cold calf or a chick that had somehow fallen out of its nesting box and was nearly dead. I smile when the girls tell me a Bible story. It makes me so proud that they know their Lord.
 
Stay connected to Becky through her website. Thank you Becky for sharing your passion as a woman of agriculture and inspiring a next generation for agriculture through your writing and example! 
 
30 Days of Women In Ag
 
With this being November 30th, you might think I am complete with 30 Days of Women in Agriculture. I missed two days of posting, the day my sister had a baby and on Thanksgiving. But I have far more than two features and I am going to continue this series as a weekly Wednesday Women in Agriculture feature. If time allows, I might add in a few bonuses features more than once a week. The response I received far exceeded my expectations. Thank you all for responding, reading and sharing! If you have emailed me your profile information and haven’t been featured, not to worry, you will be and if you would like to be featured, please email me: katpinke@gmail.com. 
 
Subscribe in the right hand column by email to not miss any updates. I have more upcoming giveaways of things that I love from North Dakota as well as agriculture related. Plus it’s almost our son’s basketball season, Miss E’s sixth birthday and we have a pink tractor party planned along with hosting our annual customer holiday party which I have new recipes planned. I will blogging right here and hope you’ll stick around to join me. 
 
To see all the Women in Ag features, click here and I will provide a recap in the coming days also of what I learned in 30 Days of blogging and from these amazing women! 

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  1. Women of Character, Courage & Commitment #WomenInAg says:
    March 5, 2014 at 3:55 pm

    […] From Maryland To Nebraska, Author & Mom, Becky Chaney […]

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I am a mom of three kids and a wife to Nathan. Together we live on the North Dakota prairie, 97 miles from a Starbuck's. I share about family, food, farming and the prairie that I love. I used to commute 98 miles one-way to work but it required too much coffee. So now I am home, consulting, speaking, writing and primarily, juggling family life.
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