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Couple
recalls a year of learning and growing
Ask Brett and Saundra Morris of Ninnekah, Oklahoma, what they gained while serving as 2000-01 Young Cooperator ambassadors for the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives (NCFC) and you’ll hear the word “comfort” in both their comments, but not in the same context.
For Brett, comfort meant learning about the support systems that cooperatives have built to tackle issues affecting agriculture on both the national and world scenes.
“Most of our time has to be devoted to running the farm and taking care of the family,” he says. “But it’s a big world out there with a lot going on the affects our farming operation. It has given me more of a sense of comfort to learn that we have organizations committed to looking out for our interests.”
While agreeing with that view, Saundra spoke of comfort in a different way — meeting a challenge “head on!”
“Any time you’re placed in a situation outside your comfort zone, you have a chance to grow,” she notes. As one who wasn’t comfortable in front of large groups, she quickly found that serving in the YC ambassador role was going to put her in that position frequently.
“I like to think that I used those occasions as growth opportunities to gain more self-confidence,” she adds.
In partnership with Brett’s parents, the Morris’ milk 65 registered Holsteins on 320-acres, where they grow alfalfa and wheat and also raise Holstein and stocker steers. Their daughters, Alicia, 20; and Cami, 13; and a son, Brian, 17, also are involved in the operation. In addition, Saundra works in the advertising department at the newspaper in nearby Chickasha.
Although familiar with cooperatives through their membership in DFA, Farm Credit, and other local co-ops, both were surprised by what they learned while serving as YC ambassadors.
According to Brett, “Our orientation in Washington, D.C. at the NCFC office enabled us to meet the staff and to learn about the magnitude of what the organization does.” The trip was their first visit to the nation’s capital, an experience in itself.
Their participation at the NCFC annual meeting in San
Diego further broadened their horizons. “We met people from co-ops
we never knew existed,” says Brett.
“The past year definitely has given us a broader perspective on things,”
Saundra asserts. “There is no doubt that our experiences and what
we’ve learned will have an impact on us in the future.”
Taking up that theme, Brett notes that he has gained an appreciation for the sound leadership in today’s larger organizations.
“There is one other thing,” he says. “The past year has given me an extra feeling of pride in being a farmer.”