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www.thelandonline.com — “Where Farm and Family Meet”
THE LAND — SEPTEMBER 3/SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
Many steps can be taken while going for a walk ring. I began to dread show day. Two of my children showed goats this year as a county fair first. The three Feeling frantic, I asked a veteran goat goats they took to the fair were born on showing parent what we could do to get our farm in April and have been handled our goats to behave on show day. His since day one. We quickly learned, howreply was simple: take them for walks. ever, that the saying “stubborn as an old Walk them through the show ring, around billy goat” also pertains to the junior the barn, and while you’re walking, talk class of wethers as well. to them. For the goats, the whole fair experience is new. The lights, the noises, There were days those goats would lead DEEP ROOTS and the hustle and bustle is completely like champs, walking along with their By Whitney Nesse foreign. The only thing familiar to them handlers, heads held high and seemed to is their handler and their handler’s voice. enjoy the spotlight. There were also days that the kids more or less dragged their goats And so began the walks. Around the barn, into and around the yard. Those stubborn little stinkers out of the show ring, back and forth and over and would lock up their front legs and firmly plant over. As Abby and Easton walked their goats, they themselves, not wishing to go anywhere. gently spoke to them, exhibiting kindness rather We hoped, of course, that by fair time the Pygmy’s than frustration. I noticed some of the older 4H-ers stop to give encouragement and really step into the would lead well — walking along with their hanrole of a mentor rather than being competitively dlers and ready for their time to shine. On the conaloof. I watched the confidence and the animal/hantrary. It felt as though the goats had conjured up a dler trust level grow as Abby and Easton simply plan to sabotage my kids’ first attempt at showing walked and talked to their animals. goats as soon as we got to the fair. They were as stubborn as the day is long. The number of things which can be solved by simply taking a walk is astounding. Attention can be Some of the older 4H-ers generously offered to diverted, tempers can be cooled, patience can be have a mock show on our first day at the fair as a confidence booster for the first timers. As I stood by learned, wisdom can be gained, and trust can be built. There is much simplicity — yet there is great with a few other parents, I painstakingly watched depth — in an evenly-paced stroll. It’s no wonder my two oldest drag their goats through the show Jesus chose to take a walk with two of his followers on the road to Emmaus shortly after his body was resurrected. Two grief-stricken followers of Christ were on their way back to Emmaus from Jerusalem, about a seven mile journey, three days after the crucifixion. As they walked, another traveler — Jesus (whom they did not recognize) — joined them. Jesus inquired about the subject they were so intently discussing. As they walked along, the two described the events of the recent days. They poured out their breaking hearts to Jesus as He earnestly listened. Jesus’ followers thought He would be the one to redeem Israel. Upon the death of Christ, their hope was deferred and they were heartsick. Jesus, still unrecognized by the two, then reminded them of everything written about Him beginning with Moses and all of the Prophets. And as Jesus spoke to them, Ready for a FRESH their hearts burned like a holy fire kindled by the approach to eating? truth, confirming their beliefs.
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What a great example of how a simple walk can end in epic fashion! During that walk, Jesus patiently listened. He calmly spoke. He reminded the two of centuries-old truths, and He fanned into flame what they already knew! Luke 24:13-35 gives us the full account of Jesus’ walk with the two. I can’t help but to liken this story to the very same principles which were shared with me on our first day at the fair. “Walk with and talk to the goats, the only thing familiar to them will be the handler and the handler’s voice.” I can almost imagine Jesus thinking the same thing! Walk with and talk with Me, you know Me and you know My voice. A walk with Jesus can bring us from a place of unwilling stubbornness and heartache to a place of willful submission and a heart on fire! I know stubbornness well. There have been times when the Lord has tried to gently walk with me and I’ve planted my feet and refused to go. I know the heartsick feelings well too. Hoping for different outcomes; only to have my hope deferred. However, I also know when I willingly choose to participate in my walk with Jesus, after I have poured out my grief and gotten tired of refusing, He begins to speak. And when He speaks as we walk along, my heart truly burns within me. My passion for the Lord ignites and I am ready to continue on the walk. Show day came and went. It was a great experience for Abby and Easton. They brought home new confidence, new friends, new card games, a new level of responsibility for their animals. And most of all, they learned the importance and simplicity of going for a walk. A few red ribbons and two grand champions were added bonuses. Whitney Nesse is a sixth-generation livestock farmer who is deeply rooted in her faith and family. She writes from her central Minnesota farm. v
State Fair entries auctioned online
From a half-pound rolled blueberry chevre to a 20-pound block of butter to a 42-pound chunk of Cheddar Parmesan, about 50 entries in this year’s Butter and Cheese Contest will be auctioned off to the highest bidders to fund dairy student scholarships. Online bidding is open during the run of the State Fair at Fahey Sales Auctioneers and Appraisers, https://www.faheysales.com/. The public can view the top five winners in each category in the Dairy Building from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sept. 5, and from 9:00 a.m. to noon Sept. 6. Winning bidders can pick up their products at the Dairy Building on Sept. 7 or arrange for shipping. All proceeds from the auction will fund UMDIA’s Gene Watnaas scholarship. v
