Ten years, 2,500 stories, thousands of photos, hundreds of blogs — and it’s just the beginning of my career as an agricultural journalist.

The National FFA Convention is back in town, and that always brings a smile to my face. I love seeing people make new friends, explore the city and learn about agriculture.

I am quite outspoken when it comes to my thankfulness to have had the opportunity to grow up in the agriculture industry and be involved in the many different aspects that it has to offer.

There’s a lot going on at the Quinlan homestead this time of year. The chickens are staying cool in the summer heat. The grapes are ripening on the vine. Blueberries should be ready to harvest soon.

As I write this, fatigue built up during the early morning and long days at the county fair still threatens to take over my body and force me to take a long nap.

This blog is one of the last, for now at least, in what has turned out to be a series of sorts about helping five of my six kids prepare their projects and livestock for the 2021 Johnson County 4-H Fair.

With six kids, it can be hard to find time to do individual activities or have one-on-one talks with them. Usually, when one kid does something, it’s a good bet that at least two others want to join in on the fun, as well.

Last week, my husband and I decided to take the family on vacation and decided on camping — in the backyard. He thought it would make for great practice when all eight of us go on trips throughout the years to come.

The old saying that “time flies” couldn’t be more true. There is still so much to do and the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair is less than a month away.