As I walked across the tile floor in my bare feet, it sent shivers through my spine. I quickly threw my slippers on and ran downstairs with the dog in tow. It was 6:00 a.m. and she had been trying to wake me for 30 minutes. I opened the back door to a crisp, cool breeze that nearly knocked me out of my sparkly red slippers (no, not the Dorothy kind).

On that Friday morning in early April, I felt like I was sitting across from my dad and brother. Although Austin is a little younger than Nathan, they're both smart men, eager to grow the farm, and prepare it for the next generation.

I don’t run machinery. I’m not an agronomist. And fixing equipment, that’s what dad’s are for, right? But I do know one thing. I’m deeply passionate about our family farm. When I moved home nearly three years ago, it was to start a new job at Beck’s Hybrids. But moving home wasn’t just to start a new job; it was to be with family and to be near the farm.

I’m guilty. No, I didn’t commit a crime, although I did eat a small container of cookie dough ice cream last weekend. It’s equal to like two scoops, right? What I am guilty of is working on Sundays.

It’s time for a rest stop. And if you’re like me on a long road trip, you need time to stretch your legs, grab a drink of water, and maybe even an ice cream cone. But I’m not going to take you to just any rest stop; I’m going to take you to the greatest spectacle in the agriculture industry - Farm Progress Show.

It’s been six years since I became a graduate of Purdue University. Since then I’ve traveled more times than I can remember, moved to two different states, changed jobs three times, encountered numerous challenges, and had some of the best moments of my life.

Have you ever asked yourself why you’re in the job you’re in? Is it to provide for your family? Is it a job you’re passionate about? Or maybe you don’t even consider your job a job because you love what you’re doing.