Apr 7, 2007

Contributing Editor Looks To Plow Fields — With A Pencil

I worked at a tool and equipment rental company for four summers during college and grad school. I could tell customers how to sand their floors, lay concrete or hydro seed a lawn, but I had never actually done any of it. But I took the time to learn about what I was selling and, most importantly, took the time to know my customers.

This is the same approach I bring to writing for the agricultural publications at Great American Publishing. In my experience as a freelance journalist and writer for another agricultural publication, I learned a lot about the industry and I am working to gain even more knowledge about farming. One way I can do this is by listening to what farmers have to say when I call them for interviews.

Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.”

Although I have never lived or worked on a farm, let me assure you that I don’t view this industry as an “easy” one. I admire people who do jobs that I can’t or wouldn’t want to do.

Most of you probably work more than eight hours a day, more than five days a week in good and bad, hot and cold weather. You face local challenges from frost and disease and global challenges from labor, fuel costs and prices.

These are the stories I want to tell and that our readers want told. It’s not my story that you’ll be reading, but someone in your industry – and maybe your own.

I look forward to learning more about agriculture and seeing where the future takes the produce industry.

So, let’s work together in this endeavor. Don’t just assume I know everything about your operation; explain it to me. Also, send me news that you think others in the industry should know. I will commit to listening to what you have to say and including different perspectives in our pages. I can be reached at (616) 887-9008, ext. 120.

E-mail Scott Christie at [email protected].