My oldest child will be riding the school bus for the first time this year, and for some reason that is giving me the most anxiety this fall. I, too, was a bus rider when I was young, so really I should have nothing to worry about.
Yet there are those lingering memories of the “education” I received from the bigger kids on the bus that happen to give me pause when thinking of my young impressionable child doing the same.
Then there is the fact she’ll be responsible for switching from one bus to the next before arriving at her final destination. While she usually follows directions when it is important, I can’t help but think of how she could think it will be OK to deviate from the plan.
Even though the school district assures me the transition point is supervised, I can’t help but recall watching her sneak on the carousel at the local fair this summer. (Not intentionally – she had a ticket in her hand – but because the ride attendant failed to notice her walk past him.)
If I happen to be this worried about her starting kindergarten, what will it be like when it is time to send her off to university? Thankfully, for now, she tells me she has no interest in attending university because she doesn’t want to live anywhere without Mom and Dad.
For those of you on the other end of the spectrum with children who are considering post-secondary education in the near future, I encourage you and your child to take a look at our University Review section in this issue.
We invited about 20 schools across the country to take part in this section and received responses from five of them. Learn more about each school’s agricultural offerings click here to view. I hope you find it useful when contemplating the next step in schooling.
We all know a good education doesn’t end with a diploma in hand; it continues for life. I have always viewed industry publications, such as this one, as a means of furthering one’s education. Many of you have been receiving this magazine for a while now, and there’s a good chance it is time for you to renew your subscription.
The subscription rate is still free; however, we need you to confirm that you wish to receive the magazine every few years. Take a look at the date printed with your postal address on the front cover. If it reads “time to renew” or “last issue,” I suggest you renew online at Progressive Dairyman - Canada or call (208) 324-7513 in the near future so you don’t miss out on the next issue.
As school children are enhancing their education this fall, we, too, would like to offer you a new opportunity to boost your own education. Our sister publication, Progressive Forage Grower, is now offered free to qualified forage producers in Canada.
This publication is geared towards growers who plant, raise and harvest forage crops for profit or for personal use as livestock feed. For the past few years, I’ve been including some forage content in each issue of Progressive Dairyman, as I know many of you raise forages for your dairies. With this new offering, I’ll begin phasing out content that relates to growing forage and encourage you to find that within our Progressive Forage Grower magazine.
If you run a dairy and raise forage, you really should sign up for both publications. You may add a subscription to Progressive Forage Grower by going to the website or calling the phone number listed above, and it can be done at the same time you renew your subscription to Progressive Dairyman.
Good luck to all students – young and old – as you continue forward on your educational path this fall. PD
- Karen Lee
- Editor
- Progressive Dairyman magazine
