Visited Franklin Tennessee and the Williamson County Agriculture Expo Center for the 41st Tennessee Cattleman’s Association Convention. Ooof. I used to be part of this world. I understand the basics, was at an Ag college for a while learning more and being exposed to the industry. I’m really sad this is how Tennessee shows up. What struck me was first was the size. It was so tiny, and in a really pretty large arena that made it look even smaller. Then I was struck by no snacks. Sounds a little weird, but there was no concessions at all. What a perfect opportunity for a 4-H or FFA or even boy or girl scouts or even a non-profit, heck a local pet rescue. They could have sold basic chips and cans of soda for some goofy price and fund raised. Its only 2 days and most of the Ag industry loves dropping some cash for a good cause. The third thing that struck me was it was so boring. Do you want a fence, some insurance or feed. That was it. The opportunities that are passed by with this event made me sad. Its a great space, it has so much potential and its wasn’t used at all. As Temple said over and over in her speech, we need all the cattle we can get. This was not a good showing out in that endeavor.
Now for Temple herself. What a fascinating human. I was awed by her ability to talk about controversial topics and not have it be political or cause drama in the slightest. I liked hearing her thoughts and responses to all the questions asked. Im a little bummed they didn’t make use of a conference room so she had a projector as she normally does, but it was still a perfect day. You can’t sum up that woman, but I can give you the gist of her speech. We need to expose our youth to anything and everything they are interested in and let them figure out their passions and go for it. We need skills classes back as a focus in schools, desperately. Visual thinkers and learners are amazing people, that is who she wants fixing her engines, planes or cars, it doesn’t matter. We need all the cattle we can get, whether a homesteader, a pure-bred one type breeder, feeders or dairy. I repeat, we need all the cattle we can get. We can learn from everything and everyone and don’t discount how another person or country does something, there is something to learn there, even if it turns out to be less than optimal in the end. Did I mention visual thinkers and learners are amazing, the skills classes need to come back and we need all the cattle we can get? There were other topics, but they mostly boiled down to those things. She also has no qualms about any type of livestock, she appreciates it all.
I maybe rolled my eyes at the few people trying to get some political/controversial topics rolling in the Q&A portion. That woman just bowls right into the middle and tell you what she has on her mind….literally, the facts about the situation on her mind, not really opinion, just facts, then happily moves on. Answering the question fully but not allowing for any drama. I don’t know, and I don’t think it is really a conscience thing. I think it is just her, her amazing nature and brain.
I got her book, Visual Thinking, stood in line for her to sign it. I will treasure it.
She reminds me of the cattle and livestock industries version of Betty White. She’s forever classic, one of a kind and just an epic human, nothing will ever be ‘like’ Temple Grandin.
Its Free