Dr. Deb Dunsford – AG Media Training……Ag Leadership, Education, and Communication

Incredible morning!!  We were divided into groups – then we picked an envelope from the desk – and had to face a mock press corp to announce and defend our topic.   My group had to discuss the recent Farm Bill.  The “press” was a group of very bright, vivacious students who vigorously asked us questions about our topic.

Cameras were flashing – later the pictures were used to reveal our body language.

THE TAKE AWAY FROM THE AG MEDIA TRAINING

When given our topic we had to rely on each other – our individual knowledge to contribute to one collective delivery.  Each person had something to offer and teach the other.  We were confident – knowing that we were there to support each other.  Our interest unified us.  We would be one voice for agriculture.

Dr. Dave McIntyre – “Strategy Trajectory of American Security”

There is an event called “the boom”.  On the left side of “boom” is the preparation and prevention – on the right side of “boom” are recovery, response, and rescue.

DIIME-D stands for diplomacy-information-intelligence-military-economics culminating in domestic (homeland security).  A State is a political division that governs and defends itself.  A Nation is a group of people bound together by blood, history or beliefs.  A Nation/State is those bound together.  An Empire is a political collection without central loyalty.

The reason America is struggling with political boundaries is that we no longer have people within with common bonds and loyalties.

Strategy is defined as a concept of cause and effect to achieve victory against a thinking enemy over time.  Victory is getting what you are willing to settle for at a price you are willing to pay.  The cost of victory always cost much more than anticipated.  The starting point of all analysis falls under certain philosophies about the nature of man:

Hobbs – Man is naturally inclined toward war – requires central authority to control

Locke – Man has a “dual nature” – animal or angel; regardless we can and should learn.   Man has rights endowed by a creator – he can and should learn to govern himself; but prepare for war because not all do learn.

Rousseau – Man is naturally inclined toward peace.

Nietzsche – Man exists because he asserts his rights – triumph of the will.

Constructivists – Personhood is a blank slate.  Reality is constructed – change the construction – change the reality.

Interestingly – we have all adopted pieces of different philosophies.

There is definite concern for American’s future when we have 4 trillion in debt.  Of that 1.5 is borrowed and 3.5 is paid for – but every tax dollar is used for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.  To reduce the debt we would need 50% more to cover the increase.  We can raise taxes – grow jobs – cut spending – ignore.  The bottom line is that America does need consistency in thinking – which we do not have nor with our growing diversity will we ever have again.

THE TAKE-AWAY FROM THE TRAJECTORY OF AMERICAN SECURITY

There is no place for politics when we are trying to solve major issues.  The leader, teacher, or head of a family should not use their power to have their way.  We should open our minds to new ideas to develop a strategy – especially in family businesses.  We need to have a common goal we agree to – a mission.  And that needs to be reviewed and updated to stay in touch with reality and current business models.  There must be consistency of thinking or we stall – or worse……  we fail.

LUNCH – JOHN & CONNIE GIESENSCHLAG

We were greeted with friendly smiles and a warm welcome at the ABC Equipment Company.  The lunch was sponsored by John and Connie Giesenschlag who own ABC Equipment as well as Giesenschlag Farm;  John Smith with Citizen State Bank; and Scott Taylor with Monsanto Company.

The most impressive part was the young people who had been coached and won the Houston Livestock Show cattle judging contest.  They were so bright – full of hope and promise – strong but already learning to serve.

 

Jody Wiggins and family – Wiggins LLP – Watermelon Warehouse, Inc.

It had been raining – and since all farmers and ranchers have suffered through the drought – we were grateful for the rain.  So there was no activity at the Watermelon Warehouse.  But we were told how the watermelons were brought in – weighed – placed in boxes according to weight and size – then shipped.  This is a family operation that has adapted and expanded with several locations.

 

 

Mr. Paul Kruse – Blue Bell Creameries 

Extraordinary!!  An incredible family owned business – and the ice cream is the best in the world.  Blue Bell has three creameries – the original one in Brenham which has been there for 105 years – Oklahoma – and Alabama.  Mr. Kruse wants to make sure that the quality is controlled so Blue Bell runs over 1000 of their own trucks to control the temperature of the ice cream until it is delivered to the store.  They start at 2:00 A.M.   Clean up begins every day at 4:00 P.M.  They have their own bakery to produce the cookies and the chocolate.  They limit their distribution.  Recently they added Colorado and became the #1 ice cream in 13 weeks.  So good and so much fun!!!

THE TAKE-AWAY FROM BLUE BELL CREAMERIES 

Mr. Paul Kruse is a man of integrity.  He has developed a rapport with his staff and employees – they are happy and it shows in their commitment and length of service.  A lack of turnover gives the company stability, strength, and expertise.   It was not a job – passion was evident.  This character and integrity is much needed in our work today.  We must pull all Ag together without hidden agendas – set aside personal selfishness.  As producers, it is critical they we are concerned for our neighbor here and internationally.  The world will need a unified Ag community.

From my background in retail, it was refreshing to find a company that was interested in quality – not quantity.  Limiting distribution allows Blue Bell the opportunity to research and understand their markets.  Most companies today are being driven by sheer numbers – expansion.  Those “numbers” are often fleeting – the company can’t meet the demand – or it meets the demand with lower quality.  Blue Bell has leadership – the best product – and an atmosphere of family.  There is more than ice cream in those containers – there is a little piece of that family’s heart and their passion.

 

Ms. PJ Ellison-Kalil  –  Tour Ellison’s Greenhouses, Inc. 

Ms. PJ Ellison is a TALL alumnus – and truly represents a leader in agriculture.  She is passionate about her business, her community, and her family.  I really related to her having to make changes in her life to take over and manage a family business.  She also had to make changes in that business for it to survive – those are not easy decisions when we have so much respect and admiration for our parents who started the business.  The challenge in a family business is always to make the change with a gracious and caring initiative – leaving the founders with their dignity intact.  Just like the plants she grows – she knows about “rooting” and nurture.  For her parents – she is the harvest – the legacy.  Because of her life lessons she will continue to transform her business and thrive.  I get it – her lessons are my lessons.

 

 

Amanda Mancuso – Tour Brazos Valley Recycling

Fascinating!!  Hats off to them for being so creative in re-defining what would be garbage into another usable product.  This is thinking “outside the box” in action.

They started with the obvious – cans and plastic bottles.  Now they take scraps of wood and make barn shavings – food and Pepsi products for compost – shingles for the oil.  They look at everything with new, fresh eyes – not for what it is today but for what it can be.

The Take-away

Often times in agriculture we get stuck doing things the same old way.  We need to take our “garbage” and transform it to what today’s consumer is requesting.  We may need to diversify or maybe it is just re-defining our product to fit a new niche market – grass-fed, organic, natural.  Every aspect of our business needs scrutiny and transformation to improve our efficiency – our marketing – the product itself.

Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Mancuso – Dinner

One word – family!!!  It was a pleasure to meet Charlie’s parents – he and his wife – and their children.  Their home was beautiful and the food was wonderful.  But the camaraderie –social interaction – love and laughter were the real highlights.  The entire evening was a gift.  I am so grateful to have been part of this home for an evening.