I Live the Western Lifestyle

I LIVE THE WESTERN LIFESTYLE

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WITH STEFANIE SMALLHOUSE

What is your occupation?

Twenty years ago, I married a fifth generation rancher. My primary job is helping with our farm and ranch in any way I am needed. My degree is in Wildlife and Range Science, but I have not worked as a biologist for several years now. When I’m off the farm I’m advocating for agriculture as the President of the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Nothing about my life is typical, so I’m not sure. I’m an early riser, because I love the quiet of the mornings. After 5 a.m. the daily race begins because both of my kids attend school an hour and a half away. Once breakfasts and lunches are made and their dropped at the carpool, I am generally on my way back home for a day of work at the ranch or I’m headed to a meeting somewhere in Arizona. I read a lot, do a lot of chores, give interviews, write speeches and editorials, keep the books, sit on governing and advisory boards, committees and volunteer at the school. Everyday includes some or all of these goings-on. I try to coordinate my late afternoons so I can pick up the kids from their activities/school and then head back home. The only thing typical about my day is at least two hours of driving!

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A vet.

Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...

I love to make a big breakfast on Sunday mornings for my family because we aren’t rushed and everyone can eat together.

What’s someone you admire, and why?

I admire anyone who gives their time to benefit something greater than themselves, is genuine, and are just kind to others.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?

Determination. I think that’s a skill? Whether you have it or not, it trumps every other skill.

Name three words that you describe you.

Self-aware, Considerate, Pragmatic

How do you think your colleagues would describe you?

Opinionated but respectful - willing to listen. Ultimately wanting to get the job done/solve the problem and move on.

What’s a goal you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?

My goal every year is the same. Be a better person and do a better job than I did last year. That pretty much covers everything I care about and it gives me a thousand opportunities every day to make progress.

What publications do you regularly read?

Daily: Agri-Pulse, The Wall Street Journal, AZ Republic, Western Ag Life Magazine.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

Fun travel with my family, “check things out” drives on the ranch, or hanging out with my kids. When they’re not arguing I actually like them – they’re funny and interesting people.

What are some causes you care about?

There are many worthy causes I care about and that at some point I will likely give some time and effort, but at this time in my life my grandest effort is to advocate for farmers and ranchers, rural communities and food security for our country.

What would be your personal motto?

That would be a tossup: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right”. (Henry Ford). OR “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming,” Wow! What a Ride!”” H. Thompson. I’m not a thrill seeker, but I fit as much into my life as possible and I prefer to end each day totally exhausted!

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I have 90/10 vision. Instead of seeing the 90% of what was done well, I tend to focus on the 10% done poorly.

What is the quality you most like in others?

Courage

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Whatever”, “At the end of the day”

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

Andy, Hannah, and Johnny. They are all my one greatest love.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to be musical.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

When both of my kids become adults with a positive impact in some way, I will consider this to be my greatest achievement! Being a parent is the hardest job. There are no instructions and every time you think you have it figured out, you really don’t.

Would you rather live on a farm or a ranch?

I live on both, and wouldn’t live anywhere else.

What is your most treasured possession?

The view from my office.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Probably my eyes. They are often misinterpreted.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Margaret Thatcher. She was strong willed and believed whole heartedly in individualism and personal responsibility. She was once rejected for a job because, “This woman is headstrong, obstinate and dangerously self-opinionated.”

What make you, #westernlife?

I wear my roots on my sleeve. I’ve lived in the west my entire life and I consider it a badge of honor. There is something about the wide open sky of the west and the vastness of the landscape that ingrains a feeling of freedom, optimism, determination and independence. Life on a ranch just amplifies this attitude for life. When I advocate for farmers and ranchers I come with this perspective.