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This is by no means an exhaustive list, but certain events of the past 24 hours have made me ponder what in the name of humanity is going on.

Holly Spangler, Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer

August 11, 2010

2 Min Read

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but certain events of the past 24 hours have made me ponder what in the name of humanity is going on in our world. Here goes:

  1. In a conversation regarding Extension changes, I learned that (and I'm paraphrasing here) we're taking a cat, calling it a dog, and asking it to do the job of a cat, for awhile. Or at least until we find out that all along, people really needed a cat and that since the dog's been doing the cat's job, maybe eventually we'll decide to call it a cat again. 

  2. In order to get a county road fixed, you have to show up at a county board meeting, hand out a map showing the three roads that are closed within a mile of your house. Then the board will demand answers of the road guy, who has said at differing times that the road will be closed a) for one year, b) through Thanksgiving, and finally, under pressure, c) only through the end of September. And then you learn that when he said he needed an extra $60,000 to fix the road, it turns out he already had that much in the budget.

  3. Speaking of the road, people continue to bypass the bright yellow DEAD END sign at the end of our dead end road, listening instead to a little computer in a box that insists the bridge over the creek bottom hasn't really been out for FORTY years. If it told them to drive of a cliff, would they listen?

  4. Three nights ago, I led the family charge to rescue the poor stray kitten at the end of our road. We already have a barn full of kittens. My kitten-loving babies named him Rice Krispie. I hope he knows how lucky he is, but he's a cat, so I doubt it.

  5. My children have been playing nicely. Together. For the past hour. Nothing but giggles and happiness. What does it all mean?

About the Author(s)

Holly Spangler

Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer, Farm Progress

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and Executive Editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.

An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.

Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.

Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.

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