Getting Back to Normal

The Iowa weather machine has struck again. Last week this time I was writing about how cold it was (it was -20 a few nights) – now it currently is resting at a balmy 45 degrees! Anomalous weather patterns are not uncommon for Iowa; a few examples include an inch of rain on Christmas and snow in May. Despite the climate, things are getting back to normal after a hectic holiday season. (Here is a picture from the summer to remind you how warm it will be in a few months.)

The Christmas decorations are all packed away for the year and my two brothers have returned to their academic duties. Basketball games, speech practices, and meetings have resumed their control of the schedule. I personally do not have to start classes until the 16^th, so I’m still doing my part on the farm as well as helping mom whenever she needs a hand with the wedding business. I must say it is quite it less difficult preparing to go back to Dordt for my final semester than any other one before it. Last year this time I was headed to the Netherlands for a semester abroad. Grandpa is playing traveler this time by going to Africa for a few weeks. This routine is welcomed after a chaotic two weeks of family, church, and company events.

Yesterday we held our first staff meeting of the 2018 calendar year. Along with typical business matters we refocused on our goals for the year and for the company. That’s the interesting thing about getting back into the groove in the middle of January. It serves as a time to refocus and adjust on the vision being held by the farm and the people who make it run. I’m not one to make resolutions come the first of the year, but it is energizing to have an entirely new year staring at you. No matter how 2017 went, we want 2018 to be the best year yet.

At VG Farms we are okay with normal – it is something that does not come about
often – yet we do not want to become lazy within the normal day-to-day tasks. Instead we strive to remain intentional in everything we do regardless of routine. Being intentional ensures the best for our pigs by giving them the necessary attention to be healthy in every stage of growth. It also provides a purposeful culture on the farm for all of us working. Being intentional can be one the biggest sources of success in any operation. We hope that 2018 will be our best year yet in a lot of different areas, but being intentional is the top priority.

- VG Farms

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Both Sides of the Fork

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