Why a California jury finding Monsanto at fault for illness is a loss for science

One of the many reason to appreciate science, besides of course the numerous technologies helping us to lead healthier lives, is that it’s fact. There is no gray area, no opinions, no chance for in incorrect information, just the truth. Last week Friday, a jury in San Francisco found agriculture company Monsanto guilty for one …

A life-long 4-H’er’s take on the Vegan News video calling 4-H child abuse.

In case you haven’t seen the video circulating around social media, in which a (presumed) vegan is calling the 4-H and FFA programs child abuse that “Strips the compassion from children’s hearts and turns them into rock solid stone”. In case you haven’t, I’ll save your brain cells and break it down for you. Buckle …

Embracing the Change

      Think about all the things that change in life. School, family situations, class schedules, careers, the cities where we live. One community that stereotypically is more reluctant to change, is farming and the agricultural community. The Fargo Moorhead area is experiencing an influx and change to its population group. People are re-locating …

Lessons learned in the backcountry

Plan, plan, plan, plan, and then plan some more Campgrounds, routes of travel, weather, so much planning goes into preparing for backpacking. I will usually be planning a 3-day trip for 3-4 months prior. Once I find a location I want to go to, I’ll look into the best trails and campgrounds we want to …

Finding your tribe in college

Going through your undergrad life by yourself, watching other friend groups laugh and hang out around you. Groups and individuals always having something to do and someone to go to class with while you're alone. Sounds pretty awful, right? . Nearly everyone wants to have a community, a group, a tribe to spend their time …

Why is this still happening?

    When you think of the modern world, I doubt one of the first things that pops into your head is slavery, human trafficking, or sex trafficking. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many, especially young women and girls. The human trafficking industry is a 32-billion-dollar industry, with a reported 20-30 million people in …

Seven morals you learn showing livestock

During this past weekend’s Little International Livestock Show, I heard several comments while in the stands about the amount of work the showmen put into it the animals for 21 minutes of arena time. The basic content of the conversation was, “What are the benefits for the people who spent a month working on these …

Focusing on the positive

  All of us have something that we are better at.   Some of us excel in math and sciences, and formulas make the most sense to our brains. Some of us are creative and flourish by making art around us and splashing color across canvases, or freezing moments in photographs. Some of us just …

GRADUATION AND THE JOB HUNT – Uncertainty Ahead

  Many of us who are working on graduating college soon and turning into "real" adults in the workforce have many doubts and worries about themselves and their potential careers. When we are searching for jobs, applying for anything we are qualified for and might potentially like, students around us have already been hired. "Is …

My Backpacking Essentials

While I’ve always had a love for the outdoors and camping, I only recently got into backpacking, carrying everything you need on your back from anywhere from one day to through-hiking a national trail. Here’s a quick list of the essentials I always bring on a trip. Backpack Depending on how long you’ll be on …