I’m from rural Missouri, and proud of it. As we prepare to celebrate National Ag Week in March, it’s fitting to reflect on the life experiences we’ve had that ignited our passion for the industry. Most of us in agriculture come from rural communities, and the experience of living in those communities shapes us into who we become as adults. Those experiences have made me the leader I am today, and they are the reason I launched the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s MORE initiative to ensure the place we call home survives and thrives for our children and their children.

Growing up in a rural community taught me many valuable lessons that I’ve carried with me in life. I learned it’s important to have dedication, integrity and courage. My parents instilled in me a work ethic that emphasizes hard work and determination. If you start a job, you see it through to the end. I remember my dad telling me as a child, “If you do a job right the first time, you won’t have to do it a second time.” I think about those words when I’m doing a task I may not enjoy; they help motivate me to do a good job.

Focus on goals
My rural community taught me the importance of being a good neighbor. If neighbors fell on hard times, we rallied around them to help pick up the pieces. These life experiences taught me at an early age the value of paying it forward. I also learned during difficult times to stay focused on my goal, because the road to success is full of bumps and potholes — but my attitude, perseverance and courage will be what carry me through. This is one of the many lessons I have tried to instill in my children. “Mind over matter” is a phrase they hear often when they are faced with adversity.

Another thing I learned growing up in a rural community is that every penny counts. You need to save today so you can be prepared for tomorrow, because you never know what tomorrow will bring. On our farm, we’re always thinking about ways we can improve while still being fiscally responsible. Our family wants to pass our farm onto the next generation, but we want to leave them with an asset, not a burden.

I’ve always thought it was important to have your voice heard. In our rural communities, it’s imperative to make sure everyone understands the changes being made on our farms today, and why change is necessary. When problems come up, you talk to your neighbors and work things out together. You don’t walk away; you confront the problem head-on and find a solution. When it comes to telling the farm story, all of us in agriculture bear the responsibility of communicating and speaking up.

These life lessons have molded me into who I am today, and they shape the way I approach every challenge, opportunity and accomplishment in life, and at the Department of Agriculture. Like many of you, I hold these values near — hard work, integrity, courage, fiscal responsibility and consistent communication. These are the values that will ensure agriculture and rural communities not only endure, but also flourish.

Chinn is the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and a hog producer from Clarence, Mo.