Katie Peterson

Hello! My name is Katie Peterson. I am one of three Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) student Agvocates for this coming year.

I grew up on a small crop and livestock farm near Grove City, Minn. in southwest Meeker County. I am currently a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College where I am majoring in political science.

Many people have wondered why a girl like me who loves the farm would leave everything I know behind and head to a liberal arts college where very few people have farming or agriculture backgrounds. I made this choice because of my passion for politics, but found very quickly that I missed the farm and needed to fulfill my passion for agriculture as well. I have also decided that while I am at Gustavus studying, I can share my story about my family’s farm at Gustavus so that farm girl and city kid alike can join in conversation about agriculture.

In my first effort to share my story, I decided to interview my roommate to gauge how she felt about agriculture. My roommate’s name is Laryssa McLouth. She grew up in Maple Grove, Minn. right in the Twin Cites metro area. When I asked her if she had any prior experience with farms or agriculture, she answered that she only recalled visiting a farm on an elementary school field trip.

I then asked her if she had any preconceived notions or bias for or against farming and/or agriculture. Laryssa stated that she was not afraid of U.S. grown products and actually feels safer buying and eating food grown by American farmers. Lastly, I asked Laryssa if it makes her feel better or safer if a farmer would share their story with her. She explained that personally, because she already feels safe about American food, hearing a farmer’s story would add to the safety she feels and believes others would feel safer as well.

An extremely hot topic right now is the conservation efforts of farmers. During the interview with Laryssa, I asked her if she was aware of the conservation efforts farmers are doing. She replied that she had heard very little about the efforts, but was glad to know that farmers are taking steps to preserve the land that they use.

I was eager to share with her about my family’s own conservation efforts. On our farm we practice crop rotation, have a manure management plan, and pasture highly erodible acres to protect soil health.

These are just a few of the conservation practices we use. Many practices have been in place on our farm for years and we will continue them and more in the future.

I am excited to share my farm story with my roommate and other friends on campus this year. I encourage each and every one of you reading this to speak up! Tell your farm story! Share a conservation effort. As harvest is approaching tell someone the steps you take to prepare or share harvest stories. You may be surprised how great it feels to speak up for agriculture.