AGCO Blog Contest Finalist: Kati McWaters

Our final finalist in AGCO’s “Articulating Agriculture” Blog Contest is Kati McWaters from Georgia, USA. Make sure to vote for your favorite blogger by posting your comment before 5pm EST today and the winner will be announced next week!

When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time at the agricultural department at the local high school where my father worked as an animal science teacher.I had to stay there after school until my mom got off of work. Dad would pick me up on horseback, or with a loaded stock trailer from elementary school and take me back to the Ag. Farm. I was bored out of my mind and I couldn’t wait to hear my mother’s car pull up so I could leap into the sanctuary of air-conditioning. I was almost always ready to escape from helping dad feed the animals, plant vegetables, pull weeds or sweeping off the school bus. I couldn’t stand having to go to the Ag. Farm. I grew up as most children do, and went to college for agricultural communications at the University of Florida. I had been gone from home for a while and the first thing I wanted to do was go to the Ag. Farm. As I pulled into the drive that led to the pastures, barn, classroom and animals I used to loathe, I realized how much agriculture meant to me and how I had grown to love it. Sure I was a spoiled brat when I was little, and I hated having to go outside with dad. But he taught me the beauty, responsibility and importance of agriculture. He may have coaxed me into helping with the daily chores, but in doing so he taught me respect for those who work in the agricultural industry. I now have a deep admiration for agricultural and those who live it. Thanks dad.