The Farmer's Daughter USA

Hi, I'm Amanda! My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm also a practicing attorney.

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“Let’s Make ‘Em Squeal”

March 31, 2014

The above political campaign advertisement has been getting a lot of traction lately due to Joni’ Ernst’s opening line. 

“I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm.” 

Many late night comedians had a good time discussing the advertising, with both Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert “endorsing” Ms. Ernst. Ms. Ernst ends with an equally appealing line aimed at cutting pork spending in Washington DC: “Let’s make ’em squeal.”

Now, I’ll admit, I don’t know anything about Joni Ernst’s positions on any issues, but her candidacy — and recent national attention — makes me happy. For one thing, I enjoy seeing a fellow farmer’s daughter standing up and taking a leadership position! 
But I also know that we need agriculture to be involved in politics and elections.
Besides the weather, bad policies or laws are one of the biggest burdens on farming operations. The estate tax, food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and animal welfare are just a few issues that tend to get discussed and voted upon. Although I spend a lot of time preaching consumer education, we also can’t forget about elections.
We have far too few farmers in the halls of Congress and our state legislatures. For example, in Michigan there is only one state house member with a farming background, yet the state’s second largest industry, behind automobiles, is agriculture! 
And the issues being brought up in our legislative bodies are more complex than those in a prior era. Today many opponents of agriculture, such as HSUS, cling to ballot box measures. In the popular referendum, a campaign can be lighter on facts and heavier on emotion. But we have also seen issues important to farming, such as labeling GMO products, go up for a vote in state legislatures. The farm lobby is particularly strong (thank goodness!), but it doesn’t hurt to have fellow farmers (or farmer’s daughters) casting votes in favor of agriculture, proposing bills, and influencing the legislative process.
Again, I don’t know anything about Joni Ernst, aside from her background on an Iowa pork farm and her candidacy for the US Senate. (For all I know, she could turn out to be an organic vegan.) But, thankfully, a farming background is still appreciated as a mark of hard work, passion, and good character (well, at least to most people). As a farming community, we should seriously consider supporting candidates that have a background in agriculture and are willing to represent our ideas in our state and national governments. 
Elections matter. 
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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: election, politics, promoting ag, video

Hi, I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney and I'm passionate about agriculture!

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thefarmersdaughterusa

I'm Amanda. My family farms corn and soybeans in Southwest Michigan. I'm an attorney by day, and "agvocate" at night.

Amanda Zaluckyj
Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. I took Green soybeans as far as the eye can see. 

I took this photo over the weekend. These beans should be turning yellow and drying for harvest. So why aren't they? Because...the spring drought.

Seeds need water to germinate. But after we planted we didn't have rain for weeks. So those seeds just sat in the dirt and never sprouted. Then, finally, it rained. And the tiny plants started popping up.

The problem? It was several weeks too late for planting. The question is whether they'll be ready to harvest before the snow flies. We have shorter seasons in Michigan, so it'll be close.
Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍 Sunsets on the #farm are the best. 😍
💜💜 💜💜
Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purch Don't let anyone make you feel bad about not purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables. It all counts.

#modernagriculture #foodproduction #usfarmers #usagriculture #usfarms #food #knowyourfarmer #knowyourfood #modernag #farms #sustainableagriclture #sustainablefarming
I visited one of my favorite local farm stands ove I visited one of my favorite local farm stands over the weekend. I thought I'd buy a couple zucchini and cantaloupe. But the zucchini looked more like clubs, and the cantaloupe was too ripe for my taste. So I passed on those and bought some tomatoes that maybe cost more than I would have preferred.

But you know what I didn't do? I didn't complain about the zucchinis' size. I didn't fuss about the melons' ripeness. I didn't criticize the tomatoes' price. Instead, I smiled at the lovely lady and made small talk as I paid and went about my day. 

Why? Because I remember what it was like being out by the side of the road hot day after hot day. I know that we all poured everything we had into that produce. I remember how defeating it felt when some criticized it. I know that the price is probably around market value, even if it's cheaper in the grocery store. And I know that the farm family behind that cash register is giving everything they have to chase a dream.

I won't be the one to rain on their parade. 

#Respect
Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa! #nationaldogda Happy #nationaldogday from Mischa!

#nationaldogday🐶 
#pittiemix 
#blacklab 
#mischa
Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. Mischa and I are home on the farm for the weekend. And we're loving it.
It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all It isn't one or the other. Farmers care about all of it.

#agriculture #farming #sustainablefarming #sustainability
I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over t I threw a birthday party for Mischa! It was over the top and wonderful. And she had so much fun surrounded by people that love her. 💕

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate my little love. 💜
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