agproud.com is the digital home of Progressive Dairy, Progressive Cattle, Progressive Forage and Ag Proud Idaho magazines. We offer content for dairy farmers, cattle ranchers and hay and forage growers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or magazines offered on dairy, beef, and forage at agproud.com https://www.agproud.com/rss/articles Her dad shook her shoulder lightly. She slowly opened her eyes; the transition to the bright overhead light he’d flipped on was jarring. Then, she remembered with a quick rise of her pulse, it was Christmas. Had she slept in? Where were Clara and Ethan? Her dad shook her shoulder lightly. She slowly opened her eyes; the transition to the bright overhead light he’d flipped on was jarring. Then, she remembered with a quick rise of her pulse, it was Christmas. Had she slept in? Where were Clara and Ethan?

]]> Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/60854-outside-eden-christmas-morning-for-cora http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/60854 Glenna was born in 1931, which seems like an awfully long time ago. She is my grandmother, and nowadays, she remembers much more about what happened in 1960 than 10 minutes ago. Glenna was born in 1931, which seems like an awfully long time ago. She is my grandmother, and nowadays, she remembers much more about what happened in 1960 than 10 minutes ago.

]]> Tue, 09 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/59994-outside-eden-learning-to-be-content http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/59994 I went for a walk today. When I dropped my kids off for the bus, it was 32ºF. By noon, when I emerged from the cocoon of my office, it was 58ºF, and the sun was shining. There was enough of a breeze to remind me that a jacket was the correct choice. I went for a walk today. When I dropped my kids off for the bus, it was 32ºF. By noon, when I emerged from the cocoon of my office, it was 58ºF, and the sun was shining. There was enough of a breeze to remind me that a jacket was the correct choice. 

]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/59495-outside-eden-it-feels-like-spring http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/59495 When I’m short on inspiration, in life generally, but especially when I’m writing, I’ll flip open my copy of my grandfather’s cowboy poetry. When I’m short on inspiration, in life generally, but especially when I’m writing, I’ll flip open my copy of my grandfather’s cowboy poetry.

]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/59307-outside-eden-a-lookin-for-inspiration http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/59307 My children have an interesting way of looking at a calendar that is inaccurate and yet totally endearing. I can’t explain the inaccuracies in any way that makes sense to them, though I do try. My children have an interesting way of looking at a calendar that is inaccurate and yet totally endearing. I can’t explain the inaccuracies in any way that makes sense to them, though I do try.

]]> Mon, 22 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/58947-outside-eden-a-circular-or-linear-view http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/58947 When did Christmas start feeling different for you? I remember the exact moment it dawned on me that Christmas had changed. I was 16 and had long stopped believing in Santa, and yet, up until that season, the Christmas season still possessed that unworldly magic of the movies. When did Christmas start feeling different for you? I remember the exact moment it dawned on me that Christmas had changed. I was 16 and had long stopped believing in Santa, and yet, up until that season, the Christmas season still possessed that unworldly magic of the movies.

]]> Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/58806-outside-eden-the-christmas-spirit http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/58806 I love the transition of the seasons. I love living in a place that has seasons. I love the gradual slowdown in the fall as much as I crave the increase in activity in the spring. I love the transition of the seasons. I love living in a place that has seasons. I love the gradual slowdown in the fall as much as I crave the increase in activity in the spring.

]]> Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/58626-outside-eden-collapsed-into-winter http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/58626 Farming isn’t for the faint of heart, the lazy or the unconcerned. Farming is for the trailblazers, for the pioneers and for the optimists. Farming isn’t for the faint of heart, the lazy or the unconcerned. Farming is for the trailblazers, for the pioneers and for the optimists.

]]> Tue, 10 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/58457-outside-eden-national-farmers-day http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/58457 “Ewe lamb up for discussion.” I read on my nightly doom scroll through Facebook. “What does that even mean?” I thought. “Ewe lamb up for discussion.” I read on my nightly doom scroll through Facebook. “What does that even mean?” I thought.

]]> Mon, 11 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/58282-outside-eden-up-for-discussion http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/58282 As born and bred farm kids, my kids are adept at chores. They can flake hay to horses, check water, dump grain to calves and collect eggs. As born and bred farm kids, my kids are adept at chores. They can flake hay to horses, check water, dump grain to calves and collect eggs.

]]> Mon, 07 Aug 2023 12:45:23 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/58092-outside-eden-goat-milk-on-cereal http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/58092 Government agencies love to categorize farmers, and they are categorized every which way. Government agencies love to categorize farmers, and they are categorized every which way.

]]> Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:44:13 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/57925-outside-eden-farming-despite-the-equipment http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/57925 Family dynamics are hard to begin with. Then throw in a family business. And this family business is a farm.  Family dynamics are hard to begin with. Then throw in a family business. And this family business is a farm.

]]> Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:08:01 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/57778-outside-eden-how-hard-is-a-family-farm-well-at-least-this-hard http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/57778 It’s a Sunday family dinner at the Ramsey household – all the siblings and grandchildren are there, and fortunately for the crew, “a day of rest.” It’s a Sunday family dinner at the Ramsey household – all the siblings and grandchildren are there, and fortunately for the crew, “a day of rest.”

]]> Mon, 08 May 2023 10:53:23 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/57534-outside-eden-just-dont-ask-me-to-drive-the-tractor http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/57534 A month ago, my dad told me to get the cows off the cornstalks because he was going to start spring work. The cows are still on the cornstalks. A month ago, my dad told me to get the cows off the cornstalks because he was going to start spring work. The cows are still on the cornstalks.

]]> Tue, 11 Apr 2023 08:53:36 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/57391-outside-eden-is-the-weather-weirder-this-year http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/57391 The snow geese arrive at the farm, but they do not stay. It’s like clockwork because it is, in fact, clockwork. The snow geese arrive at the farm, but they do not stay. It’s like clockwork because it is, in fact, clockwork.

]]> Mon, 13 Mar 2023 15:57:09 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/57176-outside-eden-snow-geese-migration http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/57176 We are just starting calving season on our operation, and this year, we’ve got a rainbow herd. For years, our herd was black as death as we worked on building a reputation as a bull seller. We are just starting calving season on our operation, and this year, we’ve got a rainbow herd. For years, our herd was black as death as we worked on building a reputation as a bull seller.

]]> Mon, 13 Feb 2023 17:17:22 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/57006-outside-eden-rainbow-herd http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/57006 Last week, I visited with a farmer, Don Taber, who had recently retired from his local cooperative board. I learned the importance of the clarity one can gain by getting off one’s farm (or out of one’s head) and being involved. Last week, I visited with a farmer, Don Taber, who had recently retired from his local cooperative board. I learned the importance of the clarity one can gain by getting off one’s farm (or out of one’s head) and being involved. 

]]> Mon, 09 Jan 2023 12:43:54 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/56750-years-of-wisdom-from-a-farmer http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/56750 With the cold and dark days of December well advanced and Christmas looming around the corner, I start to think about the coming year. With the cold and dark days of December well advanced and Christmas looming around the corner, I start to think about the coming year.

]]> Mon, 12 Dec 2022 11:03:45 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/56600-outside-eden-thoughts-on-a-new-year http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/56600 They don’t need praise, but thanks are never not appreciated in a career that can feel underappreciated. They don’t need praise, but thanks are never not appreciated in a career that can feel underappreciated.

]]> Fri, 04 Nov 2022 13:39:38 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/56390-thank-a-farmer-for-thanksgiving http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/56390 It’s fall, y’all. A busy time of year for most of us in agriculture. On our place, we’ve got corn to chop and the last cutting of hay to bring in. It’s fall, y’all. A busy time of year for most of us in agriculture. On our place, we’ve got corn to chop and the last cutting of hay to bring in.

]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2022 16:18:32 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/56186-working-cattle-or-waging-war http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/56186 At the beginning of September, I had the opportunity to participate in an agricultural tour in Idaho, my home state. When I’ve done these tours in the past, it’s been when I was visiting a new place. I’ve seen megaranches in Florida, carrot farms in Arizona, dairies in Washington and pistachio orchards in California. At the beginning of September, I had the opportunity to participate in an agricultural tour in Idaho, my home state. When I’ve done these tours in the past, it’s been when I was visiting a new place. I’ve seen megaranches in Florida, carrot farms in Arizona, dairies in Washington and pistachio orchards in California.

]]> Mon, 12 Sep 2022 12:38:18 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/56026-stay-curious-get-involved-and-ask-the-questions http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/56026 For the last few months, I’ve written about what it is like to return to my hometown. This month, I had another bout of déjà vu that pulled me even more tightly into the cocoon of our family farm. For the last few months, I’ve written about what it is like to return to my hometown. This month, I had another bout of déjà vu that pulled me even more tightly into the cocoon of our family farm.

]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2022 13:00:35 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/55750-the-family-farm http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/55750 I had to spell-check myself before I wrote that title. I didn't know how to spell corrugates, and once I had spelled it, it still didn't look right to me. Corrugates, what an incorrigible word. Do you know folks who hate the word "moist?" I feel that way about the word corrugates. I don't think I always have, but I do now. Mon, 11 Jul 2022 18:42:21 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/55334-digging-corrugates http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/55334 Earlier this week, I returned from a weeklong excursion to Puerto Rico. My husband and I framed it as a celebration of our 10-year anniversary, which occurred two years ago in the grips of COVID-19. It was a fantastic trip, but the next time we are on the island, we are taking a day to visit the farms. It was a fantastic trip, but the next time we are on the island, we are taking a day to visit the farms.]]> Fri, 10 Jun 2022 19:26:56 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/55340-looking-for-island-agriculture http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/55340 I'm involved in a life-long love affair with water. Fri, 06 May 2022 17:58:06 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/55365-water http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/55365 Last month, my family and I relocated to my hometown. It wasn’t a move I ever expected to make, but when the chance came up to live near our people, we took it. Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:49:23 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/55388-the-buddy-seat http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/55388 The smell of sagebrush on a rare rainy afternoon as I ride horseback through the dry pasture. The strain of my shoulders as I pick lava rock from the 40-acre field. The clank of the tractor bucket as I toss that rock in. Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:20:34 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/52347-leaving-home-to-return-home http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/52347 One of my family’s favorite holiday traditions is watching the National Finals Rodeo during December. It signals the start of the Christmas season for us. Wed, 05 Jan 2022 21:42:13 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/52372-consistency http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/52372 I walked into the convention hall a minute late. I checked in at the registration table, got my clicker and sat behind the Jerome County sign. The man sitting by me picked up the cowboy hat that he had set on my table. “Sorry, ma’am,” he said. “I didn’t know if the other delegate from your county would make it, but here you are.” At the president’s call to order, we opened our policy books and began the annual business of the Idaho Farm Bureau. Tue, 07 Dec 2021 22:14:19 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/52390-making-our-voices-heard http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/52390 After the third round of the World Series, our favorite (or is it least?) folks over at PETA proposed that Major League Baseball change the name of the “bullpen” to “arm barn” to “liberate the language of baseball.” Wed, 03 Nov 2021 18:02:41 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/10-outside-eden/post/52413-use-your-words http://www.agproud.com/blogs/10/post/52413