A couple of weeks ago, I was provided an opportunity that one simply does not pass up. It was an offer to be a ‘host’ on a video showcasing a different profile of the American pig farmer than you may remember seeing in this video:
I got to travel to Missouri to interview Phil, Scott, Everett and Don about their roles in #realpigfarming and other surprising ditties about their lives. To say it was an entertaining experience is an understatement. These guys were captivating. You may not know, I only had one Grandpa growing up because my other Grandpa passed away before I was born. Being around these guys, talking about pigs, brought me that much closer to the Grandpa I had when I was 18. It was a gift.
I could spend all day talking to a person or farmer with this kind experience and knowledge. One simply does not acquire this type of knowledge unless they have some age, plain and simple. When we arrived on set, Everett (see photo above) and I were both quite early. The camera crew was setting up and we got a chance to visit with each other for nearly an hour. The kindness and humility that he has is unmatched. The icing on the cake was later in the afternoon when he introduced me to his wife, Ruby and let me have one of her signature cookies.
Scott (in the bright blue shirt in the photo below) and I got to ride to Everett’s farm together and got a chance to visit about his time as a fighter pilot and about what a wonderful cook his wife is. He even addressed my ‘oh-so-lovely fear of flying’ saying he’d take me up in the sky and help me understand why I shouldn’t be afraid. IF you hear him in the video say “I like to go up and bore holes in the sky…” that will not be with me. Ha! I digress.
These guys are very young at heart and work hard daily on their pig farms (Phil, Scott and Everett) or helping pig farmers (Don). These guys have seen the changes in farming throughout the years, they have lived it. There is much to be learned if one simply listens.
My request to you, over the weekend, in the next month or even in the next year is to connect to the “Legends” in your life and be with them. Soak up the time you spend with them, learn from them and tell them how special they are.
I’d like to introduce you to “The Legends of RealPigFarming”:
Have a great weekend… and don’t forget the hairspray.
Or the guys using farm props to shoot the video…
3 Comments
Such a great article. I enjoyed listening to the discussions on the video!
I love this so much. And you. xo
I am just excited that pig farming friends are going to get me to South Carolina so I can see YOU this year. It was on my 2016 bucket list, and will be achieved!