You're Killing Me... Humanely?

Humans do not like to talk about death. No one looks at it gracefully, even though everyone and everything experiences it. In the animal industry, it is also looked down upon. I'm not just referring to euthanasia for overpopulated animal shelters putting to sleep puppies and kittens. I'm talking about harvesting livestock for food consumption.

I had never actually been into a processing facility until traveling to New Zealand. This was a completely new experience that not only enlightened me on some concepts I didn't understand before, but what the Kiwi culture values in processing meat. 

We went to the Alliance Group Meat Processing Pukeuri Plant. Because of risk that the public might misconceive what they see, we were unable to take any photos at the facilities. It isn't that they are trying to hide anything, but they want to maintain the integrity of their business.

This was the largest plant in the south island, processing 10,800 sheep, 560 slaughter cattle and between 500-2,800 veal calves per day. This is an expansive business and I determined their two top priorities: safety of their workers and animal welfare. (Reader, beware of descriptive content ahead.)

Oh Deer! A New Zealand Niche Market.

The U.S. is overpopulated with deer. These wild animals have a tendency of running out into the middle of a country road or being hunted by sportsmen and sportswomen in the fall and winter seasons. In New Zealand, there is a different market for the lean mammals.

Don answers questions about raising his trophy deer.

The OSU crew stopped at Deer Genetics NZ to learn about his business in raising red deer for trophy stags and velvet production. Don, owner of this profitable business, shared some secrets and facts to his success in raising the deer.

Come to a New Zealand sheep farm. 'Ewe' wouldn't believe it!

Wool is a hot commodity in New Zealand. So of course, we saw lots of sheep on our travels! However, not all these stops were on the itinerary. On day four, we had an unexpected delay when our bus pulled off the side of the road and would not start again. What luck, right? In fact, the best luck came from our professor seeing a sheep farm shearing some ewes that we drove past about one mile down the road.

We had to make a choice. Do we:

a) sit on the side of a highway for two hours awaiting someone from the bus company to help the situation?

b) take a little tramp (Kiwi term for hike) down the road to see if the sheep farmers will let us come on their farm?

Option b was selected!

After risking our lives walking down the highway that seemed to never end, 40 students arrived at this sheep farm. Now, think about if you were working and a large group of foreigners walked up to your farm or business and asked if they could get an inside view of your operation. Would you be caught off guard, uncertain of their intentions and possibly not let the group in?

Kia Ora, New Zealand! A trip of beauty and knowledge.

Kia Ora! Or, hello, I wish you good day! After a 10-day adventure, I made it home from New Zealand just in time for the holiday season. This trip was by far one of the most insightful, invigorating trips I have ever been on. From the food and culture to the landscapes and agriculture me and 40 students from Ohio State witnessed, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In the next few blog posts, I will elaborate on some specific things I learned during this study abroad. Until then, enjoy some of the photos I captured along the way. The biggest learning moment I had: always, ALWAYS carry an extra battery for your camera. I didn't and was lucky. Next time, I might not be!

Time and change will surely show

It is hard to comprehend how fast time goes by sometimes. We take for granted many things in our lives and lose touch of some that have served as the foundation for our development. This past week reopened my eyes that yes, time moves very quickly.

Smirnoff (yes, he is named Smirnoff) and his family
are off to a new home.

No More Alpacas. 

I said it. I am officially out of the alpaca business. My two males and two females were sold to a farmer in Indiana. It has not hit me quite yet, as I am still in Columbus for our last few weeks of school, but when I go home and cannot see these beautiful creatures, it will be different.

Since my 16th birthday, I have owned alpacas. Now, 21 years old and preparing to enter the professional world, I knew I could not keep the alpacas -- due to uncertainty of my location and future. After graduation and some years down the road, time and change will surely show if I can get involved with the livestock industry once more. Fingers crossed!

Last Football Game.

Panorama of the Skull Session in St. John's Arena.

This group of amazing senior girls at our last home game --
in AA seats of course. 

This weekend was my last Ohio State football game as a student. From attending Skull Session to singing Carmen Ohio in the Shoe brought a fast realization that my senior year is halfway complete. It is crazy to think that I attended my first OSU football game four years ago. As we celebrate #BeatMichigan week, I also remember attending my first Ohio State v. (that state up north) game. I never claimed to be an avid Buckeye fan, but have grown to have much pride and spirit for my team. 

Strong leaders have discipline

Image courtesy of Columbus Monthly.

There are many different types of leaders who have various characteristics and skills. One of the strongest types of leaders I have seen have discipline. This discipline is not just following rules or criteria, but having a firm understanding of how to grow themselves and others.

One of these leaders is Urban Meyer.

I don't discuss sports a lot. Frankly, I don't understand or follow them enough to do so. However, recent news about the Ohio State Buckeyes head coach and our football players has brought to my attention a valuable leadership trait.

Discipline comes from understanding and experience. As mentioned in another article, Coach Meyer acknowledges his players have made some mistakes. Now, it is time to learn from them.

Meyer is an experienced coach in football and leadership. He must share what discipline means to him with the players and facilitate that learning. Leaders are best know for influencing others. If Meyer can do that with his level of discipline as a coach and a mentor, the Buckeyes have great potential for the upcoming season.

Expectations aren't always what they seem

This past month, I have had many expectations.

• I would complete my third year as a college student and be ready to move on.
• Some of my closest friends would graduate from The Ohio State University and leave me. Forever.
• I would come home for a week of randomness and running around with my family since it is one of the busiest times of the year -- planting season.
• I would move out to Milwaukee, Wis. for a seasonal internship with Bader Rutter.
• I would kick start my roles on the Student Advisory Team for Agriculture Future of America (AFA).

However, I did not fully meet these expectations. 

I consider myself a fast-paced, goal-oriented person and halfway through this school year, I was so eager to move forward into my senior year! However, now that realization has hit, this expectation of being ready for "the end" has become overwhelming. 

My sister is also moving forward to her senior year of high school and is just as anxious, yet uncertain as I am!

This expectation has made me realize that I shouldn't be so eager to move forward and should embrace the things in my present life, not just the future.

One thing I find increasingly difficult is saying goodbye to friends and loved ones when they move on to different phases of life.

I discovered that a lot of my friends were a part of the 2013 graduating class at Ohio State. This transition has been difficult to grasp and at times, I had selfish feelings that they were "leaving me". 

Now, I have seen that expectation is not just them leaving, but my friends are moving forward towards exciting opportunities that they are interested in sharing with me along the way! Because of today's technology, I can keep in touch in a plethora of ways. 

Even though I am a senior, it is now my time to embrace that opportunity.

Sometimes, I stress out more about coming home than I do about a final exam for class. I always expect that work on the farm with the family will be a chaotic mess -- half the time, it can be! 

However, this past week at home was more humbling than hectic. I spent a lot of time catching up with old friends and family, and even though planting season is always busy, dad made time to relax in the evenings while I was around.

My family has become increasingly more important to me and the expectation I had that a week at home would be "crazy" was not met.

It is true, I did move out to Wisconsin and am currently preparing for my first week of work with Bader Rutter! 

My internship is focused on public relations and I anticipate to learn a lot this summer! However, my expectations for this new experience are yet to be proven.

It is difficult for me to make expectations for the position until I start into different tasks and projects. I have discovered that if I do not have underlying expectations, I will be able to attain more value from the work I will do.

I will continue to evaluate this concept as the summer progresses.

In addition to my new internship, I will begin my role in a new leadership position for AFA.

On the Student Advisory Team (SAT), I help in promoting this national program for youth in agriculture. Each month, SAT meets to prepare for the Leaders Conference that will be held in November, by working to create and expand industry partnerships, advocating to students on college campuses, and preparing programming for other AFA functions such as AFA ONTAP webinars and leaders institutes. 

My expectations for this role have continued to change as I learn more about what I will do for the industry and program. 

These different "expectations" have allowed me to see that expectations are not always as they seem, and shouldn't be. I am continuing to learn that perhaps expectations are simply a way to process our ideas and seeing the potential we have ahead. Things are not always as we anticipate. 

Welcome to my cues

Good afternoon, friends!

I am Caroline and welcome to my new blog, Caroline's Cues.

I have blogged a bit in the past, but am now going to work at becoming more effective and consistent in posting content and keeping my blog updated. 

A few things you should note about me:

• I am extremely passionate about agriculture. That may be from growing up on a farm and being surrounded by it my entire life.

• I have a growing fondness for public relations and social media. I tweet too much (follow me) and love reading new information about PR techniques and ways it can be implemented through social media.

• Photography is one of my side hobbies. I am getting better and starting to take pictures for friends on the side.

• Baking and working out are two of my favorite pastimes when I am not in a barn or on my computer or iPhone.

• I am a third-year student at The Ohio State University studying agricultural communication. Yes, “the” is part of our name. No, I am not a ‘nut’ and crazy about our athletic programs, but I will attend sporting events from time to time.

• I am a sister of Alpha Xi Delta fraternity. I am currently serving as the vice president of public relations (very fitting, I know!).

As time goes on, you will surely learn more about my quirky personality. I hope to get to know you better as well! Please feel welcome to comment and share feedback.