I am a member of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) – the professional membership organization for persons in Extension. Next week I head to South Dakota for the 100th annual conference… It’s kind of a big deal 🙂
As I put final touches on my presentation, prepare last minute details for the events and committees I am helping with, and pack for a variety of events such as the pre-conference animal science tour, learning sessions, and more, I was reflecting on the past four conferences I have attended.
This throwback Thursday I will share some of my highlights from the past four years.
Kansas (2011): My sister and I on the pre-conference animal science tour; South Carolina (2012): enjoyed learning so much about the state and the culture; Pennsylvania (2013): standing in front of my Extension poster; and Alabama (2014): selfie with band Alabama (eekkk)!
May was the wettest month in recorded history for many locations across the U.S.
In Lincoln, Nebraska (the capital city), we received a total of 10.90 inches of rain just in May 2015. That broke the record held from 1903 of 10.72 inches of rain.
A storm is brewing…
As storms continue to cross the country, we may be able to break the record for the wettest year, which was in 1951 with an annual total of 42.17 inches of rain (precipitation data has been measured since 1887).
Around the country, Oklahoma reported a total of 14.40 inches of rain just in May, shattering the previous record of 10.75 inches measured in October 1941. Texas reported a statewide average of 8.81 inches in May, again shattering the previous record of 6.66 inches measured in June 2004.
Other cities that have set rainfall records include Oklahoma City (OK), Dallas (TX), Fort Smith (AR), Baton Rouge (LA), Wichita (KS), and Colorado Springs (CO). Read more about those rainfall records here.
This was my first year to participate in the Christmas in the Country gift exchange. This was a secret Santa experience for ag bloggers and online agvocates. It was a lot of fun and I want to share my experience with you.
I received Val at Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids. She is Wonder Woman – a mom, wife, farmer, volunteer, agvocate, blogger, woman of faith and community located in northern Iowa. And she is getting ready to have a third baby! I look forward to getting to know her more and following her adventures through her various social media platforms. I have to admit that I might have freaked Val out with my gift, as I checked her out online and sent personalized gifts for her whole family. Since Val and her husband raise pork, I found that she and I seem to be on the same page when it comes to bacon – we both love it. And Val had indicated that faith is important to her. I have made stacked crosses for several friends in the past, and I thought I would make one for Val too.
Hand-made Christmas ornaments… This one is for Val. I also made one with the initial’s of her husband and their kiddos and a generic one with a pig on it for Baby #3.I tried to use my artistic talents as best as possible and make this specific to her blog title… Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids.My attempt at a pig 🙂I filled Val’s and her husband’s ornaments with Christmas “stuff” and the kiddos with hot chocolate mix. I figured they could eventually fill it with legos, corn, beans, or whatever they wanted!Bacon…enough said. And in case Val needed ideas for more ways to use the delicious goodness, she got this recipe book. Yum!Val indicated green was her favorite color, so I tried to pick hues of green for this stacked cross.Off to the post office to ensure they received this before Christmas!
My hubs and I headed to Northern California for Christmas, but I was delighted to find my secret Santa gift waiting for me when I returned.
My gift box was put together by Kim at Kim’s County Line. Kim is a wife, mom, a young grandmother, farmer’s wife, photographer, and an amazing woman in south central Kansas. Kim sent me a great gift box of Kansas themed items! All of them were perfect. She sent food items: spiced tea mix, chocolate covered sunflower seeds, cinnamon apple butter, and Hudson Cream corn bread mix and country gravy mix – I am a huge fan of eating, so everything has been a hit! Kim also takes excellent photos, and she sent some blank cards with her photos on them! I know as I write thank you cards for Christmas gifts my family will love receiving these cards. Kim also included a wine stopper, a snowflake ornament, recipes, and a Kansas bookmark! Isn’t she great!?
A great letter from Kim explaining all of the gifts. After I mailed my package to Val I thought I should have included a note for her to open after opening the gifts so I could explain them a little more…next year I will do that!My pile of booty from Kim – and all Kansas items too! She did a great job of finding things that are/were perfect for me and my interests!Look at these notecards made with Kim’s pictures, I think they are awesome and that Kim is very talented. Kim does sell these, so if you would like a few for yourself, reach out to her.Tonight the Hubs and I are having beans and ham hocks so we can try out the cornbread mix.I have been enjoying the spiced tea (and the Hubs really likes it too). Kim sent a great cookie recipe I will have to try, but it seems as I will have to buy more chocolate covered sunflower seeds as the ones she sent have made for good snacks!
Prior to this exchange I was not familiar with Val or Kim, and I am glad that I have gotten to know two more wonderful ladies through Christmas in the Country. I encourage you to check them both out and see what they up to, as they are wonderful women who are living life to the fullest with their families and loves ones.
This was a wonderful experience, and I look forward to participating again next year!
Agricultural with Dr. Lindsay 