Ag Lit BitNot a Dream
As the end of the year approached, it was time to get all of those last-minute tune-ups and check-ups which included one very interesting conversation about agriculture. As I endured a procedure of sorts and got prepped by a wonderful nurse, doctor and anesthesiologist, there was a series of questions I had to answer before I got put “under”.
“What is your name?
What is your birthdate?
Why are you here?”
I passed those questions with flying colors. Then the last question, “What do you do?” I hate that question as it’s not something that has a one-word answer like I’m a vet, a business analyst, lawyer, teacher, chef, accountant, dietitian, and so on.
With three sets of eyes on me I say, “I’m an agriculture educator with the Farm Bureau and I teach about agriculture in Illinois to children and adults.”
Well! That opened a floodgate with the nurse who goes on to express her excitement about my profession and tells me she was raised on a farm and her family grew corn and soybeans, and still has beef cattle.
Then the anesthesiologist, who is equally engaged with the topic, tells me that his daughter wants to do this exact type of job and completed an internship last summer in a similar role. He couldn’t believe that a program called Agriculture in the Classroom existed and wanted to know more. At the end of our 5-minute discussion I promised him I’d give him a business card to give to her daughter.
Next thing I know they’re waking me up and checking all of my vitals and it’s over. I lay there thinking to myself, “Did that conversation really take place or did I just dream this while I was out?” Several minutes later the nurse is talking to me and asks if I had that business card. Nope, not a dream.
As the year comes to a close, I can’t help but be thankful for the forces that brought me to my mission to share agriculture with others, even in the operating room. {Sorry Bob, I didn’t ask them to become members, but I sure hope they consider joining the farm bureau.}
I wish you all a holiday season surrounded with those you love and a happy, healthy New Year.