I know, I know. Last time we talked I assured both of you I wouldn't be "that sister in law".

But there's something you need to know, and I'm giving you ample warning (if 6 hours counts as ample warning).

I'll be drinking whiskey at your wedding. Before you get nervous, there's a few really good reasons - in addition to my killer dance moves it might bring out.

You see - your soon to be brother-in-law and me, we are stock show people. And stock show people - from San Fransico to Denver, from Fort Worth to Louisville - celebrate a good day in one way - with whiskey.

You won't ever catch us toasting a banner with Champaign, and we would never celebrate a high selling female with wine. Those silver cups in Louisville? Those are made to be filled with bourbon.

So on a good day, after a big win, after a record sale, whiskey is the ONLY way to celebrate.

Whiskey isn't a spirit made overnight - and neither is a National Champion and neither is a love like yours. Quality to that degree, takes time, patience.

And your wedding day is no different. You see my brother in law had a big task. He isn't just picking a wife. He's picking a mother to his children. He's picking an aunt for my boys. He's picking a sister for me.

And he has picked. If he had looked for years more, searched every corner of this country, he couldn't have found another one like you.

You're beautiful, inside and out. You're a Christian role model for me, for my boys. You're fun and kind. And the way you look at him, and the way he looks at you, makes it evident this was His plan.

I couldn't have asked for a better aunt to my boys, a better sister for me.

So... We are going to celebrate this in the right way, the only way to celebrate the best of days - with whiskey.

But there's something else about whiskey. Something that no Champaign, gin or tequila, not even wine can do.

Whiskey is known world wide for its bold flavor and stark aroma. The scent alone, or the taste of whiskey on your husband's lips, will trigger memories of days gone by.

That oak flavor takes me back to a show ring in Ohio, a champion drive in Louisville. It takes me back to my own wedding day, when my brother insisted on stopping the limo in route to the reception to get a bottle of Jack and celebrate early. It takes me back to nights of quiet celebration with my husband.

And after today, it'll take me back to your day, to this day. The day you said "I do" to my brother-in-law, the day you took his last name. Our last name. One that I was given not all that long ago.

And because of all that, I'll be drinking whiskey. Actually, I think you should be too.

Cheers!

He sprayed #My60acres  with CHEMICALS!  To be exact, he applied 22 ounces to the acre of glyphosate.  This is done in order to kill off my cover crop and any weeds before my corn starts to grow.  This greatly reduces stress on growing corn, allowing us to maximize the use of our soil, water and other resources.  
 
Glyphosate is an herbicide, one of the least toxic and most effective herbicides available that is explained well here!    But yes, it's a chemical.
 
Chemical. The word is enough to send any modern mom into instant panic mode, their fear often directing them to Google, which has a way of growing that fear into an obsession. (For basic understanding of chemicals, check out this great resource!)
 
The unfounded fear is one millions of Americans share.   We are adverse to chemicals in our cleaning supplies, in our shampoos, our makeup.
 
But we are downright terrified of chemicals in our food. And although that fear is unfounded - we are surrounded by chemicals, everything is in fact made up of chemicals-  I can still sympathize.
 
We are also constantly surrounded by advertising encouraging us to pay a premium for "chemical free" or "natural" products. 
 
To be fair, only matter is  made up of one or more chemicals.  As this website explains, "daydreams aren't chemicals. Neither are light waves or sound waves. But  if you can touch it, feel it, taste it - it's made up of one of more chemicals."

I could point to the hundreds of peer reviewed research that proves the chemicals we use in modern agriculture are safer than chemicals used in years past.  I will link to this booklet that provides an in depth explanation of the safety of glyphosate.  
 
I could explain that the chemical he is spraying is actually less toxic than your household vinegar, less toxic than the caffeine in my morning coffee  It's certainly less toxic than many of the "natural" pesticides routinely used in organic farming.  I could explain it's also once of the most tested herbicides available.
 
I could remind you that if  you buy labeled food to avoid pesticides, you're wasting your money. All food can have trace amounts of pesticides present - remember plants even produce pesticides naturally.  But that fact has absolutely nothing to do with the safety of your food. 
 
Conventional and organic fresh food, even when testing positive for trace amounts of pesticides, is safe.  (Check out what The Farmer's Daughter has to say regarding the now infamous "Dirty Dozen".)

I also know that even when your mind reads, and even understands the science, the mom in you will still question.  

Is it necessary?
Is it really safe?
Are the farmers using it the right way?
Do the farmers even care?

The answer to all of those questions is YES!
 
I am a mom too.  I have the same questions and fears about the food that I feed my family that you do.  And I can assure you, my family, and all farm families, want to raise safe food in a sustainable way.
 
Using chemicals like glyphosate is simply ONE of the many tools in our toolbox that we can use to grow safe, sustainable food for the people and livestock of the world.  
 
But to again quote Sharon, 

With all due respect to chemicals, the word “chemical” should be commonplace. It shouldn’t carry nearly the power that it does, as its meaning is practically on par with “stuff”.

 
Some of you may have seen the WHO reclassification of glyphosate as a possible carcinogen.  Please read here to better understand what that classification actually means.

To read about obtaining the land I am using for #My60acres, read here.  To read about applying nitrogen, read here.

Check back VERY shortly for a planting update!