Hanging on for the ride

I am holding on for a new career adventure!I’ve been knocked down before and learned to get back up, stronger and smarter.I usually dust myself off with plenty of help and then keep going. Pictures from the Ranch Rodeo’s Mutton Busting at the 90th Tri-County Fair in Wishek, North Dakota this past weekend. Aren’t these kids brave? They reminded me of a few life lessons as I prepared and prayed about a career shift and opportunity.

When I left my last full-time career role it was to trade in a long commute to be a more at home wife and mom. It worked wonders for our family life and marriage. I’ve said I would never go back to a full-time role again. With consulting and speaking, I’ve set my own office hours and had flexibility with my kids’ schedules. But never say never because you NEVER really know what is a part of a grander, bigger plan than you know or see. 

In a few weeks I am going to begin a larger role, full-time role with Agweek, based from our rural prairie home. When I do hit the road it will be to a few of my favorite places in our state and region. You can read the new role here. My weekly column will continue as I move into this role and learn from others around me. And I will continue with my keynote event speaking!

I’m excited by it all. I’m honored. I’m humbled. I love agriculture, rural life, the land I live on and know so well while giving more voice to farming and ranching and content creation around all of it. This opportunity allows me to expand on my passions while maintaining the more at home family and work life I know we need. 

My consulting work projects are wrapping up and a couple of fabulous friends will take the reins of new opportunities. I also have some awesome consulting clients who are my friends. They support this change for me to launch into a different role with Agweek. I am grateful for a network who I learn from, grow with and we support one another in our passions. 

Anika, age seven, said “So this means you’ll write two columns now instead of one every week?” 

Hunter, who is at UND now for summer school and football workouts, said “Well, the Minnesota Twins GM today was fired for his performance. Just remember that.” Thanks, son. Nothing like throwing on a little extra pressure. 

I’m attending orientation at UND with Hunter tomorrow. Even though he’s already on campus this is specific to his major and a good reason for me to get in some visiting time with him! It’s surreal to be in Grand Forks, where I was born and raised, where he was born and where Hunter and I were from the time he was age two through age five. I pointed out the Agweek office to him tonight when we drove to eat. 

He said, “Wait. Agweek is based here? In Grand Forks? So you’ll be coming here sometimes?”

Mothers of teenagers and new college students, these sound like loaded questions, right? I was nervous to answer at what he would say. 

“Yes. Not all the time but sometimes. And it’s across the street from my high school. Crazy small world.” I said. 

He smiled and said, “Well that’s cool.”

Yes it is. 

Thank you Agweek team and Forum Communications Company for this opportunity and to each and every encourager, ag advocate, former colleague, mentor and boss, I am grateful for all of you. To my husband, who manages to quietly encourage most of the time and then says it bluntly when I need it, thank you.

No matter what my title is on a business card, I always remind myself and say often, my most important work is at home. And that never changes for me. Below are my two “little girls” after church at the county fair on Sunday morning. They are sure we need to buy Grandpa Fred “a new numbered” combine but they don’t have their own checkbooks. I am grateful for that too!We’ll keep working hard together!