“Just people, right?” I whisper to myself as I write this editorial.

Woolsey cassidy
Cassidy Woolsey
Managing Editor / Ag Proud – Idaho
Cassidy is a contributing editor to Progressive Cattle and Progressive Forage magazines.

That’s some advice I read in the book Dare to Lead by author and speaker Brené Brown. In it, she shares an experience from her early career as a professional speaker when, unbeknownst to her, she was invited to address an auditorium full of C-level executives ­­– CEOs, COOs, CFOs and the like. Rather than resorting to the classic “picture the audience in their underwear” trick, she opted for a more pragmatic approach.

“They’re really just people. Like you and me. Like our friends. These are real people with real lives and real problems. Do your thing,” a friend suggested as Brené walked up the stage, lessening her feelings of inadequacy.

So here I am, “People. People. People.”

If you’ve been reading Ag Proud – Idaho for any length of time, you probably recognize that I am a new face. For the last seven years, I have been an editor for our sister publication Progressive Cattle and have enjoyed serving that national audience. When the opportunity was presented to transition to Ag Proud – Idaho, it felt in a sense, like coming home.

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In Idaho, knowing a farmer, rancher or dairy producer on a personal level is almost as inevitable as hitting rock when digging in the southern half of the state – unless, of course, you happen to live under that aforementioned rock.

From my family members farming and ranching in the high elevation of Caribou County to my many friends and neighbors in the dairy-centric, agriculture hub of Gooding County to those cattlemen and women across the state whom I’ve crossed paths with over the years, I feel a personal connection to this magazine. Yet, like Brené Brown, I find myself grappling with similar insecurities.

Some of you serve in the state legislature; some of you hold a seat on an association. Others have master’s degrees and Ph.D.s, and some of you have farmed for more years than I have been alive. But, stripped of the titles, prestige and life experiences, you and I – we’re just people who love agriculture and love Idaho.

So as I begin this journey with Ag Proud – Idaho, I’m eager to delve into the issues that matter most to you. Your perspectives, experiences and challenges shape the agricultural landscape of our state. So I invite you to share your thoughts. What topics or issues do you want me to address in the coming months? Are there specific farming practices or technologies you’re curious about or would like more information on? Shoot me a text at (208) 536-3244 or send me an email. I won’t bite.

After all, I’m just a person, right?