Fall is the time of year for football games, tailgates, and most importantly to all small town schools: homecoming. For the high school I graduated from, dressing up during homecoming week is a big deal, with "spirit points" being rewarded to kids who dress-up on the theme days. The freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior classes compete against each other to see who can gain the most points during homecoming week and become the "Most Spirited Class". This year, one of the theme days was "Superheroes". Most kids wore tights, capes, and t-shirts with iconic Superman, Captain America, and Batman symbols blazed across their chests. Interestingly this year, my younger sister took a new approach to the Superhero theme, and I could not have been prouder.
Instead of dressing up as Wonder Woman or a PowderPuff Girl, my sister left all her costumes at home and went to school in jeans, a t-shirt, and boots. No, she didn't forget that it was Superhero Day. She intentionally went as a self proclaimed "Hero of the Heartland" aka a farmer. She decided that she wanted to go as a farmer because they save lives everyday ensuring that the rest of the world is properly fed and clothed. As an older sister who lives for agvocating, I just about teared up when my mom told me this. Making an impactful statement like that as a 15-year-old freshman, shows extreme maturity and understanding of the world well beyond her years. I myself could not have been prouder to see my little sister take a big stand for the importance of agriculture. Unfortunately, the other kids at school were not as impressed.
When my sister approached the team of students awarding dress-up spirit points during lunch, they instantly turned her down, saying she had not dressed up at all. She tried to explain to them that she was a "Hero of the Heartland", but they would not allow it saying she did not look like a farmer and that farmers were not real heroes. When I heard what had happened I was floored. First of all, it was a big wake-up call to not just me but my sister too about how little appreciation people not involved in agriculture view the importance of farmers. Second, it proved how extremely stereotypical people view those involved in the agriculture industry.
For those who don't meet with a farmer on a regular basis, not all farmers wear overalls, flannel shirts, muck boots, straw hats, and walk around with wheat sprigs sticking out of the corner of their mouths. They dress like just like you and me! My sister's outfit for the day may not have fit the stereotype, but she was wearing what normal farmers wear and was trying to relay that message to her peers. It was a small gesture with a big meaning, and it's unfortunate her peers weren't open-minded enough to take a lesson from her.
By calling farmers "Heroes of the Heartland", my sister nailed it right on the head. They dedicate their lives to putting safe, wholesome, nutritious food on our plates and warm clothes on our backs. They feeding those who can't grow their own food themselves with little to no thanks. They may not fly, have super strength, or run faster than the speed of light, but they do save lives. I don't blame the students I blame the school officials for not teaching this lesson. Because they aren't directly involved in agriculture on a daily basis they don't think it's important to teach their students about it. It's extremely disappointing that schools don't recognize the importance of agriculture and the students have to suffer from not knowing where their food comes from. At least some schools are fortunate enough to have ag teachers who can truly teach a small portion of students just how important ag is. But for those who don't have an ag program, the appreciation for farmers is lost which is extremely disheartening.
You can argue that this post is just my big sister instincts coming out to defend my baby sister. You'd be partially right. Don't mess with my sister. However, the importance of agriculture and the importance of educating consumers on agriculture is also extremely important to me. Don't mess with the agriculture industry or farmers. I don't know if anyone from the school will read this or if they will make any effort to teach the importance of ag to all their students, not just those involved in FFA. However, I am damn proud of my sister for taking a stand for something she is truly passionate about. She had the balls to portray a factual image of farmers even when she knew most of her peers wouldn't care or understand her. If she opened just one of her friends eyes to just how important farmers are to the rest of the population, she made a small step in the right direction and she shouldn't be discourage from the outcome of the day. I hope that more people can be like my sister and prove to the 99% of people not involved in agriculture that farmers truly are Heroes of the Heartland.
Instead of dressing up as Wonder Woman or a PowderPuff Girl, my sister left all her costumes at home and went to school in jeans, a t-shirt, and boots. No, she didn't forget that it was Superhero Day. She intentionally went as a self proclaimed "Hero of the Heartland" aka a farmer. She decided that she wanted to go as a farmer because they save lives everyday ensuring that the rest of the world is properly fed and clothed. As an older sister who lives for agvocating, I just about teared up when my mom told me this. Making an impactful statement like that as a 15-year-old freshman, shows extreme maturity and understanding of the world well beyond her years. I myself could not have been prouder to see my little sister take a big stand for the importance of agriculture. Unfortunately, the other kids at school were not as impressed.
When my sister approached the team of students awarding dress-up spirit points during lunch, they instantly turned her down, saying she had not dressed up at all. She tried to explain to them that she was a "Hero of the Heartland", but they would not allow it saying she did not look like a farmer and that farmers were not real heroes. When I heard what had happened I was floored. First of all, it was a big wake-up call to not just me but my sister too about how little appreciation people not involved in agriculture view the importance of farmers. Second, it proved how extremely stereotypical people view those involved in the agriculture industry.
For those who don't meet with a farmer on a regular basis, not all farmers wear overalls, flannel shirts, muck boots, straw hats, and walk around with wheat sprigs sticking out of the corner of their mouths. They dress like just like you and me! My sister's outfit for the day may not have fit the stereotype, but she was wearing what normal farmers wear and was trying to relay that message to her peers. It was a small gesture with a big meaning, and it's unfortunate her peers weren't open-minded enough to take a lesson from her.
By calling farmers "Heroes of the Heartland", my sister nailed it right on the head. They dedicate their lives to putting safe, wholesome, nutritious food on our plates and warm clothes on our backs. They feeding those who can't grow their own food themselves with little to no thanks. They may not fly, have super strength, or run faster than the speed of light, but they do save lives. I don't blame the students I blame the school officials for not teaching this lesson. Because they aren't directly involved in agriculture on a daily basis they don't think it's important to teach their students about it. It's extremely disappointing that schools don't recognize the importance of agriculture and the students have to suffer from not knowing where their food comes from. At least some schools are fortunate enough to have ag teachers who can truly teach a small portion of students just how important ag is. But for those who don't have an ag program, the appreciation for farmers is lost which is extremely disheartening.
You can argue that this post is just my big sister instincts coming out to defend my baby sister. You'd be partially right. Don't mess with my sister. However, the importance of agriculture and the importance of educating consumers on agriculture is also extremely important to me. Don't mess with the agriculture industry or farmers. I don't know if anyone from the school will read this or if they will make any effort to teach the importance of ag to all their students, not just those involved in FFA. However, I am damn proud of my sister for taking a stand for something she is truly passionate about. She had the balls to portray a factual image of farmers even when she knew most of her peers wouldn't care or understand her. If she opened just one of her friends eyes to just how important farmers are to the rest of the population, she made a small step in the right direction and she shouldn't be discourage from the outcome of the day. I hope that more people can be like my sister and prove to the 99% of people not involved in agriculture that farmers truly are Heroes of the Heartland.