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A common bondWhen a group of farmers gets together, you know the discussion will inevitably turn to the weather, commodity prices and crop progress. Sure, they will talk about the pastor's sermon, or the school bond issue, but the conversation will eventually come around to farming. I've always found it commendable that while farmers are actually in competition for acres, they define their relationships with other farmers more by what they share, than what they don't. It is the same way with agricultural journalists. Maybe it is because a good chunk of us grew up as farm kids, watching our dads and their farmer friends. I've just finished my term as president of the American Agricultural Editors' Association. Each year, we meet as part of the Agricultural Media Summit where agricultural editors from all over the United States gather to "talk shop." We engage in discussions about issues within our industry. Professional development sessions give us tips on what to do when we just don't have any good story ideas. We learn from each other, all while competing for the attention of the same 3.3 million American farmers. The competition drives us to be even better. Since I've never been a part of any other industry besides agriculture, I can't compare, but I can guess it might not be the same at a meeting of mainstream media cousins. I envision a lot of polite niceties in public, while they glower at each other when backs are turned. Most of agriculture, farmers and ag journalists included, believe that if we do a good job, work hard and have the right priorities, the rest will take care of itself. The key is balance. Work too hard and forget your family, and the family farm goes down the tubes. Answer to the advertiser instead of the reader and your credibility suffers. The lesson to be learned is that some of your best resources as farmers are each other. When you take the opportunity to engage each other, you'll find that a tip on equipment maintenance saves you hours in lost time in the field. And, you might be able to share what variety yielded best on your farm. I can safely say, some of my best friends are also my competition in this business. I'd guess that, as a farmer or rancher, you would say the same. It's a good place to be--among people who understand what we face each day, but who will challenge us to be even better. Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 620-227-1806, or by e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com.
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