Those within the agriculture industry know that even when the world stops, agriculture is going to keep going.

“Agriculture is Essential”

At the beginning of this worldwide pandemic there was a time that the world had come to a complete stop. No working, traveling, school, sports, family vacations, nothing! Grocery shopping felt like a special ops mission. However, one of the things that never stopped was agriculture. As I sit here writing this blog, ironically, I find myself wearing my “Agriculture is Essential” t-shirt, and that statement couldn’t be truer.

One of the many great things about living in a rural community and being a part of the agriculture industry is that when the world around me and my family stopped, we kept going. It didn’t matter that everything around us was at a standstill, because there were still livestock to feed and crops to worry about. Our day to day tasks didn’t stop because we had a job to do.

 "Due to COVID-19 that has not happened the way I expected it to"

Fast forward. It’s been 6 months since the pandemic struck and for us here in our rural community and state, things seem to be fairly “normal” for the most part. Although agriculture itself never stopped, things within the agriculture industry did. For example, farm shows. When I was little I would love to attend farm shows with my dad, we would walk around and look at all the equipment and the cool new things, my sisters and I would stand around and wait while my dad visited with what seemed like every farmer there, but it was all worth it because we generally got some pretty good snacks afterwards. When I began working for Outback Wrap I was excited to be able to travel to farm shows, promote our hydraulic hose markers, meet new farmers and ranchers and of course get some good snacks. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 that has not happened the way I expected it to.

On a typical year in the last 6 months Outback Wrap and Walkabout Motherbins would have had traveled to 10 farm shows. This year we have only been able to attend 1…1 farm show in 6 months…10% of the normal farm shows. Attending the Big Iron Farm Show in September gave me and my colleagues a sense of normalcy. It was so great to meet some of the farmers and ranchers that keep our world going. I even had to chance to meet some of the Outback Wrap Dealers we have, being able to put a face to the name was so nice.

 The need for farmers and ranchers is so important and agriculture truly is essential

Long story short, this year has been a challenge for many. Those within the agriculture industry know that even when the world stops, agriculture is going to keep going. We hope to travel to farms shows again in the near future to meet all of you and help you “Make Hooking Up Easy” but until then, just know we are so thankful to each and every one of you.  COVID-19 can't mask the need for agriculture because the need for farmers and ranchers is so important and agriculture truly is essential.