Agricultural Calendar Girls

One of a few topics I did NOT mention in the recent March 2014 Roundup post I did recently is the Women in Ag calendar I am going to be in. That's right, I will be a Calendar Girl! This is a project that was the brainchild of the Montana Farmers Union Education Director. The idea is for women agricultural producers from across the state of Montana to be featured on each of the twelve months of the calendar. The photos will be of women doing what they do to contribute to the success of their agricultural operation, whether helping with cattle, picking rock, harvesting wheat, picking cherries, gardening, or anything else ag-related. The aim is to photograph a wide variety of agricultural pursuits to showcase what variety of production we have in Montana, and show that women are involved in all of them. The calendars will be printed and sold to raise funds for educational pursuits for Women in Ag, such as the Women's Conference I attended this past January. 

I had the lucky honor of being the first "model" for the photo shoot recently on March 26. The photographer and the MFU Education Director trekked out to our place in Almost-Canada, MT and we spent a morning walking through the corrals, taking photos. As it was calving time and I love calving time, the theme of my photo shoot was working with cows and calves. We had a great time and a very enjoyable session. Both women who came out to the farm are fantastic people and wonderful advocates for agriculture. We had a blast, and some great conversation! 

Photo taken by and used with permission by Delisa Clampitt, MFU Education Director.

On the day of my photo shoot as I waited for the arrival of the day's guests, I was busy in the kitchen helping to prepare the roast and vegetables we would later have for lunch. I was thinking about the many aspects of being a woman in agriculture and what a typical day might entail.  It is very normal, at least in our house, to go from housework and cooking to helping in the field or corral. Sometimes there is little or no notice before duty strikes outdoors. We have to be ready for plans to change, and even expect that they will. I can't imagine how women with children get anything done on the farm or in the house while juggling both with raising a child.

Something I think about frequently is how I am spending my time. I am sure that many women often think about this very same thing. How should I be spending my time?  Should I be home more? Should I be doing more on the farm? Am I working hard enough?  I do work full time in town in addition to helping on the farm whenever I can or whenever I am needed. Sometimes I feel like I should be home more. I feel like I am missing out on what is happening at home-- activities I could be learning about or helping with. Other times, it's clear that no more than one or two people are needed at home, working on farm activities, and I would not be of help anyway. For now, working in town at a full time job generates extra income for me and Jeff, keeps me busy, and is necessary, but there may come a time when I will need to be at home full-time. Time will tell. 

Ultimately, I am proud of the contributions I make to our household, whether as a helper on the farm or from income from my job. The Women in Ag Calendar celebrates exactly this sense of pride and contribution that women-producers all over the state of Montana share. Calendars are due to release in October, so stay tuned for pricing and availability information as the time approaches!