(This is an article I wrote back in the spring, although it is long past spring I really felt a push to post this. The people and events in this article mean a great deal to my family and meant a great deal to my father. I know the relationships he began will continue to watch out for my family and I.)
This time of year brings much-anticipated signs of spring finally arriving. A few days of warmer temperatures have made it our way and the smell of sagebrush in the air. For many ranchers spring is the social season of the year. Between neighbor’s brandings and cattlemen field days this is a great time to reconnect with folks you haven’t seen in awhile or get to know the new faces in your area. Our connections to one another are the most important piece of survival in agriculture and in our daily lives. Today’s world has given us more luxury and quicker ways to get our everyday tasks done. However, has it really made us more connected to one another? Are you still driving across the valley to have a cup of coffee with your neighbor like you did 10 years ago or does it seem you just wave in passing these days?
Agriculture is about more than just farming and ranching. It is about relationships; relationships with the land, yourself, and with other people. Many people believe grass is the most valuable resource a rancher can have. I am hard pressed to disagree except when it comes to our relationships with those around us. What kind of person do you aspire to be, or more importantly what kind of rancher do you aspire to be? Many people can produce cattle that will gain and perform well. Can all of those same cattlemen be counted on physically, mentally, and emotionally when life throws a curveball their way or their neighbor’s way? This spring, put some of the same time and care into the relationships with people around you that you put into growing your grass. You never know what may happen to you or your loved ones. But I guarantee if you have built strong relationships with those around you, you won’t have to worry if you aren’t able to get your irrigation changed, your hay up, or calves branded. The folks you can truly call friends will be found on your range or in your barnyards with a full crew in place. They know that when life deals them a rough card, the favor will surely be repaid.
There is no greater example of these relationships in the cattle industry than this year’s Kittitas County Cattlemen of the Year. This year’s award goes to the very deserving Scott Gress family. I hope that many of you had the opportunity to drive out to Thorp on May 21st to pay congratulations, enjoy a good evening of building relationships, and more importantly had the opportunity to meet this family if you haven’t yet. There are some people in this world who have what is important inside and out. Scott and Sandy Gress are those people. As cattlemen in Washington we are truly blessed to have them as producers in our state. Scott and Sandy will be the first people to drive 50 miles to help you gather cows off the range, give a friend a call when they know they know it’s needed, or offer some wisdom to the younger generation. They would never expect a thing in return and will work twice as hard to get their own work done in order to help out a friend. The Gress family is a true testament to the many kinds of relationships the cattle industry requires. Strong relationships and connections is a foundation in their daily lives, from their stockmanship skills to their friendships. The Gress’ have touched lives wherever life has taken them. There are many things that can be learned from this family and I hope that all of you are fortunate enough to get an opportunity to do so.
In this world no one will remember your cattle in twenty years but they will remember the quality of your relationships. We have all been given the opportunity to build these relationships, take the time now before life doesn’t give you a second chance.
