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LIFETIME LESSONS<br />
This is something I feel a lot<br />
of kids struggle with these days.<br />
Once they fail at something or<br />
don’t see the results they were<br />
hoping for, they give up and<br />
quit. Livestock showing puts<br />
this into perspective. You can’t<br />
just quit because those animals<br />
still require care. Even if you<br />
are mad at your heifer for the<br />
way she acted in the ring, you<br />
don’t get to simply walk away.<br />
I’ve also learned a lot about<br />
time management and how to<br />
prioritize my time to ensure<br />
everything I need to get done<br />
gets done, and then I can go do<br />
what I want to do.<br />
Before going to bed, I have<br />
to plan ahead for when I need<br />
to set my alarm to make sure I<br />
have enough time to get all the<br />
heifers fed and still have time<br />
to come inside and get ready<br />
before leaving for school. It’s<br />
helped me a lot in school with<br />
being able to plan ahead to get<br />
all of my work done and turned<br />
in on time while still having<br />
time to go out and do the other<br />
activities I want to do during<br />
the week.<br />
I also know that sometimes I<br />
need to choose between hanging<br />
out with my friends and<br />
working with my heifers. Having<br />
to work all summer on your<br />
animals can be a challenge,<br />
especially when your friends<br />
and classmates are out having<br />
fun or going on vacation, but<br />
it is rewarding in the end when<br />
everything comes together and<br />
you perform how you want to at<br />
shows. Making those sacrifices<br />
is what sets you apart from the<br />
rest.<br />
Whether it is time management<br />
or winning and losing,<br />
everything that you learn on the<br />
farm carries with you everywhere<br />
you go and can benefit<br />
you throughout your life.<br />
Choose to give thanks in the<br />
good and the bad times and celebrate<br />
the wins and losses. Be<br />
patient. Be kind. Help others,<br />
and do what is right. Take in<br />
everything you learn, and ,most<br />
importantly, take advantage<br />
Pictured: Owner Duane Stickley<br />
of the opportunities in front of<br />
you. It will serve you well even<br />
if life takes you off the farm. n<br />
Delaney Barber is a junior<br />
at Central DeWitt Community<br />
High School and a member of<br />
the CAC Media Team.<br />
THE<br />
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FIT<br />
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17724 Hwy. 136 • Onslow, IA • (800) 470-3325<br />
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eifarmer.com SPRING 2024 | EASTERN IOWA FARMER 77
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