Inspired in Fairmont

Yeah... So it's Wednesday and I'm just getting around to writing about how awesome my weekend was!  I could have just let it go, but it truly was an awesome weekend and I have lots I want to share about it.

Some of you may know that I'm becoming increasingly involved in Montana Farmers Union, thanks in large part to the Women's Conference they held last year, which I attended (Read about it by clicking HERE). That's what jump-started it all. The key to getting me interested in something is appealing to my passion for women's leadership, so that's how it all began with me and MFU. This lead to a two-year membership, which lead to me and Jeff participating in the FUE Leadership Couples experience this year (and here's where you can read about FUE, and on and on. Where will MFU take me next?

Last weekend, MFU took me to Fairmont, MT for this years Women's/Young Producers conference, which were held concurrently at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Jeff couldn't attend, so I brought along one of my best gal pals, Adria, instead. Don't they always say "Friends are the family you choose yourself?" So true. We had a great time meeting other women and young producers in agriculture, learning about leadership and communications, splashing in the hot springs, listening to REALLY GREAT MUSIC PERFORMANCES, planning an upcoming Women in Ag themed calendar (Soon you'll all be able to sing "My Angel is the Centerfold" and it'll be about ME! ha!), and I also learned a lot about how to be a better blogger. Lord knows I could use a lot of help in that department. (Step 1: Write more. Duh.)

My MFU community never fails to disappoint. I left the conference feeling refreshed and inspired, with my duel passions for women's leadership and Ag education re-ignited. I made a lot of great networking connects and made some new friends, too.

In an attempt to hopefully inspire all of you as well, here's just a few of the ideas and quotes I wrote in my notes from the weekend. What are your passions? What or who inspires you?

"We are a diminishing voice in a country that needs us more and more each day." - Zach Overstreet, referring to farmers and ranchers.

"I call it learnership, not leadership." Joe Boyle.

"The world we create is the world we want to live in, not just the world that makes us the most money." -Judd Jensen.

"In an ant colony, females do all the work. Males breed and die." - Sarah Calhoun

"I am not strong for a woman, I am strong and a woman." -Kate in Maine, via letter read by Sarah Calhoun

"You are responsible for your own happiness." -Joe Boyle

I can "invite people to my place" through my blog. (from my notes)

We are how we think. (from my notes)

"When tillage begins other arts follow." - Grant Wood, on a large mural in Parks Library at Iowa State University. This is where I went to school and grew up, in Ames, IA. I walked by that mural every time I went to the library in college, which was at least three times a week.  I saw this quote again somewhere in a presentation last weekend.

Do any of YOU have any phrases or quotes or inspirations to offer?

A snowy evening in Almost-Canada, Montana, where I live.