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News Stories at a Glance
$205 million in projected sales comes from Illinois grain tour
Ohioan named FFA president at the organization’s 99th convention
Tough year for many Ohio county fairs, but all remain on solid ground
New National Corn Growers Association president’s priorities are farm bill, E15
American Farmland Trust, Airbnb are launching farm tourism grants
Squash smashes Circleville Pumpkin Show record
Illinois announces loan program for grain storage, diesel tax deferral 
INFB legislative priorities include diagnostic lab, property tax and assessment reform
Simply from Scratch offers farm-to-table mobile grocery
Ag labor remains in the spotlight; ICE raids renew focus on solutions
Indiana farmers can temporarily use off-road diesel fuel to haul grain 
   
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Let’s remember what we do have at this time of the year
Let’s choose today to quench our thirst for the “good life” we think others lead by acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. We can then offer the universe the gift of our grateful hearts.
-Sarah Ban Breathnach, author

With the cold snap that blanketed the Midwest, a warm house is such a blessing. Each night when I walk across the road from the barn, with the wind hitting me in the face as I pull my hat down just a little tighter to my neck, I think about the homeless folks who are sitting out in the cold, trying to keep warm.

Getting behind some kind of a windbreak, maybe down in a manhole beneath the pavement of a city or nestled between garbage dumpsters down a dark alley, I think about how cold they must be and how discouraged they must feel knowing they will be spending another long, dark night in the cold.
Maybe they fell into misfortune or maybe they refuse to live any other way; regardless, I am reminded how blessed I am when I walk into a warm home with a fire in the stove and something sweet to eat with a cup of hot tea after a long day’s work.

This time of year, we are so tempted to look at what everyone else has, is able to buy or how beautifully decorated their home is, while every night we slip into a warm bed with a full stomach and the hope of another beautiful day.
As the New Year approaches and we have an earnest desire for change, maybe our biggest change needs to be our outlook. Don’t just take one moment during this special time of year to be thankful for your life, take lots of moments each day to remind yourself of how truly blessed you are.

No matter what your situation is, your life is good and full of hope. Take off the veil of envy and want and take a good look at your full, beautiful, hopeful life and thank God for His new mercies, overflowing grace and unending hope!
 
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to him in care of this publication.
1/5/2011