Raising kids immersed in agriculture develops a sense of discipline, hard work, tenacity, and creativity to work through unexpected challenges that may appear in an otherwise seemingly smooth afternoon. This unique way of life was something I enjoyed as a child through early mornings at the barn taking care of horses and while preparing for competition at horse shows. I knew firsthand that hard work in the barn was directly proportionate to provide exhibitors with a competitive edge when at a show. Raising my own kids around livestock while raising cattle, hogs, and lambs has presented them with some unique challenges throughout their lives, preparing them for college and beyond. As individuals, they spent countless hours in the barn working toward their livestock goals while preparing to show cattle, hogs, lambs, and goats at a local, regional, and national level over the years. It has been challenging at times and has offered many rewards and has created important qualities in them as they head into adulthood.
While traveling, we met and made friends with some amazing livestock families around the country developing strong friendships through a common thread of competition and respect for the hard work we know is required behind those closed barn doors during early mornings and late nights working together as a family. It has been a pleasure to meet some exceptional young people who I trust will rise to the occasion and be much-needed leaders serving our country in a variety of critical roles in the future. One of those special individuals is a young Montanan cattlewoman named Claire Murnin. When I first met Claire, she was a softspoken young girl who was constantly moving; a young gal on a mission toward greatness. She worked quietly and diligently with a passion for the little details needed to reach big goals. It always caught my attention that when she was at a cattle show and had completed all of her own tasks, instead of sitting in a lounge chair playing on a cell phone or goofing around with other kids, Claire would help other showmen around her. I first met Claire when she was stalled next to my daughter, and the pair worked seamlessly together to support each other through a week-long show. She is the kind of young person parents want their own kids to befriend and to look up to, as she sets an amazing example for others to follow.
Claire is humble and modest and is one of the most passionate young people about agriculture that I have met. In addition to a successful show career, she has set herself apart from others by taking on a role as an ‘AGvocate’ and engaging other passionate youth to do so as well. Once a very quiet young girl, Claire has grown into a passionate young lady with a strong voice advocating for the agriculture industry. By developing an educational platform to utilize as a tool to provide a friendly glimpse into what it is like for her to live “365 Days of Agriculture.” Her educational platform has developed quite a following and I had the pleasure to visit with Claire and to ask her a few questions about her life and the things that inspire her to be an AGvocate.
