Farmer's job anything but effortless

By Megan Brown

Recently, I was told that "a farmer's job is no harder than a carpenter's."

Having never been a full-time carpenter, I can't say whether that is true or not. However, the time I have spent building corrals, repairing barns and attempting to build my own furniture has given me a respect for the work they do.

These experiences have taught me - the hard way - that when you become a master at something, it truly does look effortless.

Perhaps this is why many people who are not directly involved in agriculture seem to think that farmers and ranchers fit the stereotype of simple folk living simple lives.

By Joy Philippi

Last year, when vandals attempted to destroy the butter cow at the Iowa State Fair, fair officials chose to play it cool. The cow was repaired, the paint mess was cleaned up and the show continued.

One year later, Iowa State Fair manager and chief executive officer Gary Slater explained, "There was no reason for us to make a big deal out of the incident. We were confident those responsible would step forward in the media."

That is exactly what happened. The cow attackers had to issue a press release to claim responsibility hours after the vandalism was discovered. What this extremist group did not expect was to have its message countered by thousands of activists who would purchase "Butter Cow Security" T-shirts last year and again in 2014 to express their support for agriculture.

These authentic pro-agriculture activists did not jump on a soapbox and emotionally condemn the actions of the offenders. They understood that doing so would merely open the door for extremist groups to use their own emotional rhetoric to mislead the public.