The year was 1984, and I was choosing some of my elective courses while in high school. Several of my buddies were born and raised on farms, and they were all involved in FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America), which involved classwork. They convinced me, a town kid, to take the class, too. So I did.

Talk about a fish out of water. I was a good student, but the topics covered in the FFA class were beyond my scope. I first realized this at a soil-judging event, where my buddies were nailing it, and I was desperately lost.

We then had hands-on training with welding, and I was continually sticking rods to iron. In frustration, I submitted a piece from the scrap pile for my grade to our teacher, Mr. Greiman, which saved me for a while. “This is a good-looking weld, Goodman,” Mr. Greiman told me. “You are really catching on.” I wasn’t.

The last straw was my livestock project, of which I did not have one. My buddies joked that I was going to have an ant farm. I knew I needed to find an out. I stuck it out for the semester and then quietly disappeared with a new respect for the farming culture and the knowhow that is required to be a successful farmer. It isn’t easy.

I am reminded of my agricultural ignorance each year when I attend county fairs. As a child, I couldn’t understand the fuss over all the farm animals. I was there for the carnival rides, the cotton candy and the demolition derby. Today, I make time to tour the livestock barns, and I revel at the work these young people put into all their projects. It signifies commitment, dedication, competition and tradition, and those are things all of us — both city and farm folk — can learn from.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

STRAY THOUGHTS
Abortion ruling raises questions — lots of questions

By Randy Evans

Through the years, justices on the Iowa Supreme Court typically avoid harsh or overzealous language in their decisions.

That is why two separate dissenting opinions jumped out Friday when the court issued its long-anticipated decision on the Legislature’s latest attempt to ban nearly all abortions in Iowa.

By a 4-3 split, the Supreme Court decided the 2023 law is a rational response to a legitimate state interest, protecting the lives of unborn children. The law prohibits abortions once “cardiac activity” in the fetus is detectable by ultrasound, usually about six weeks after conception. The law provides exceptions for rape or incest, when the fetus has an abnormality incompatible with life, or when the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life.

[...]

‘Celebrate the American Spirit’
Urbandale Fourth of July offers three days of festivities.

By Chantel Boyd

It’s time again for hometown family fun on the Fourth of July, and the Urbandale Fourth of July Committee invites you to “Celebrate the American Spirit” at this year’s festivities. The committee has finalized another three-day-long list of family-fun activities.

The festivities, held at Lions Park, 72nd Street and Aurora Avenue in the heart of Urbandale, begin on July 2, a Tuesday, and extend through July 4, a Thursday. Attendees can kick off a fun-filled summer with a parade, carnival, fireworks and a myriad of other fun.

CITYVIEW's seasonal guide for activities and things to do in Central Iowa

EXPLORE: Walk 'n' Shop

By Cyote Williams

In the mood for strolling through a shopping district where walkability and unique storefronts abound? These junctions, villages and town centers are perfect for you.

Chamber names Howell educator of the year
Award annually recognizes teacher in the Urbandale Community School District.

The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce named Haley Howell as the recipient of the Educator of the Year award for 2024. This annual accolade recognizes one outstanding educator from the Urbandale Community School District. Howell has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation and compassion in her role as a math teacher at Urbandale High School, chamber officials said in announcing the honor.

Sponsored by Buenzow Insurance Group, the Educator of the Year award celebrates educators who go above and beyond to inspire and empower their students. “Howell exemplifies these qualities through her unwavering commitment to her students' success and her innovative approach to teaching,” officials said.

[...]

These celebrities were born on this date: Audra McDonald, Betty Buckley, Elizabeth Hendrickson, Gloria Allred, Kevin Hearn, Montel Williams, Ian Anthony Dale, Julie Klausner, Tom Cruise, Yeardley Smith, Thomas Gibson, Patrick Wilson

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Why should you always give birth in a hospital? THEY HAVE GREAT WOMB SERVICE. -  Gail Tomlinson, Rex Post

Today's riddle

What's the problem with the surgical robot that was recently invented?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Ankeny, Altoona, Bondurant Living magazines, contact:

Angela Ossian
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 307
Mobile: 515-979-5585
angela@iowalivingmagazines.com

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