By Amanda Radke

 

The New Year has started off on uneven footing, and it follows a tumultuous 2020 with incredible challenges that have shaken the nation and rocked Americans in more ways than one.

Yet, even as we face great difficulties and uncertain times ahead, I am constantly looking to find the light in a dark world.

Despite a pandemic, a deeply divisive presidential election, government shutdowns and more, my heart has rejoiced and my spirit has been renewed to see the agricultural community shine in so many ways this past year.

Since this pandemic started, I have written frequently about how producers are finding new ways to innovate, pivot, connect, serve and lead during these hard times. And not only has this attitude helped to skyrocket successful businesses and reinvigorate consumer interest in cooking with beef, but it has also helped to change hearts and minds about who we are in rural America.

A great example of this sentiment is a Nebraska rancher who recently received national media attention for feeding his cattle this winter, with a unique and special twist.

David Schuler raises Red Angus cattle. He recently paid tribute to healthcare workers who have been on the front lines of this pandemic with a special video.

According to Jennifer Hardy for ABC8 Nebraska News, “Schuler lined up his cattle in a field in the shape of an EKG with a special heart shape in the middle, sent up a drone, and made a dedication video to doctors, nurses, first responders, and all other essential workers who’ve repeatedly gone above and beyond this year of battling a pandemic.”

Schuler said, “This year the only thing that made sense to me was to honor our true heroes, the backbone to the heartbeat.”

This is Schuler’s third video featuring cattle in the field. He has previously set the cattle up in the shape of a heart for Valentine’s Day and to spell out the word “BEEF” for a beef promotional campaign.

Hardy writes, “How does he do it? He just put the food down in the shape of the design he wanted, something he has been experimenting with for years, and the cows just stood there to eat while he recorded the video. Schuler said he had about 15 minutes to snap the perfect production until the cattle got bored and wander away. Schuler may have captured hundreds of cattle but he has now captured the attention of millions of people.”

I salute the men and women working on the front lines in hospitals and appreciate their dedication to health care for those who need it most! Thank you for what you do!

Do you have more feel-good stories to share as we move forward in 2021? There may be many challenges facing us up ahead, but I firmly believe hope, optimism, joy and peace can be found in even the hardest of situations.

Please, email me your joyful and positive stories to amanda.radke@live.com. We all need a little extra light in a dark world and I want to do my part to help share those stories in the weeks and months to come.