Litton Leadership Scholars

The legacy of Congressman Jerry Litton was recently celebrated by the College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. A lectureship series was given by legendary farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson, agribusiness director of WGN Radio and RFD-TV. The evening commemorated the inaugural Litton Leadership Scholars Program. 

During the evening dinner, I found myself sitting next to the man of the hour himself, Samuelson. He described changes in agriculture that he had seen throughout his lifetime. Amongst conversations about my career goals and Samuelson's many adventures came up Litton. Also at my table were members of the Jerry Litton Foundation, many of whom were close friends to Litton and worked tirelessly on his campaign efforts. The friends and family members of Litton recalled many moments where Litton's charm, dedication and achievement inspired them. 

Being a part of the Inaugural Litton Leadership
 Scholars Program has been a great honor.

I consider being named as a Litton Leadership Scholar to be one of the highest honors I have achieved during my time at MU. I am one of the fifteen CAFNR sophomores to be a part of this endeavor. During my life, I have had the privilege of being apart of numerous leadership endeavors. But, the year-long Litton Leadership seminar course has single handily been the best leadership experience I have encountered. I read Jerry Litton's bibliography and watched clips from "Dialogue with Litton," and the more I learn about this great man the more I recognize his impact on not only agriculture, but our nation.  

Litton is an agricultural journalism MU alumni who, in the words of former President Jimmy Carter, "Would have been president of the United States." Litton's career in politics and agriculture was tragically shortened. He and his family perished in a plane crash the night he won the U.S. Democratic Senate nomination. 

Above all, Litton was a forward thinker in all that he did. He and his family developed the foundation for the American Charolais industry. He was committed to the National FFA Organization, which he credits for transforming him from a shy farm boy to a dynamic public speaker. Litton worked tirelessly for the people of Missouri, in particular rural residents.

I am proud to call Northwest Missouri home and even more proud to be from the same area of Missouri as Litton. America lost a great leader when he passed away. However, I believe the Litton Leadership Scholars program is truly the best way to remember and to continue on his legacy.  

As Samuelson addressed our crowded auditorium, he stressed, "You cannot dream big enough." I believe no better statement could have summarized the evening and the Litton Leadership Scholars Program. In his trademark broadcast voice, Samuelson recalled interviewing Litton when he was a national FFA officer. There were several tears shed but many smiles when Deans of CAFNR recalled their experiences with Litton. Samuelson also stressed that we should pick our heros. I know I am proud to call a fellow Northwest Missourian one of mine.  

Fifteen sophomores at the University of Missouri were inducted as the
2012-2013 Litton Leadership Scholars on October 15, 2012.

Happy Fall From Teddy!

Teddy the Cori would like to wish everyone a "happy fall!" He is a long-time resident of the Brammer family farm and can often be found attempting to be a lap dog on my mom when she is watching TLC. He also enjoys herding cattle with my dad, but his efficiency is often debated. (Teddy tends to get distracted by noises, vehicles or any bacon flavored food.) Winter is his favorite holiday because he loves to frolic in the snow. However, piles of leaves during the Fall make Thanksgiving a close second holiday.

I miss Teddy a lot while I am away at college. But, my mom keeps me updated on Teddy's antics. He can be a bit of a naughty Corgi, like rolling in the cow pastures or sneaking food away from the barn cats. (I like to think this is his royal lineage showing as he could be related to the Queen of England's Corgi clan.) Despite his habits, Teddy is a charming Corgi whose looks alone can melt hearts. He also favors bandanas, fetch, riding shotgun in a pickup truck and can be bribed into participating in holiday-themed photo shoots.

National ACT Officer Retreat

 For my duties as the national Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow first vice president, I traveled to Oklahoma this weekend. I spent two days with the national officer team at our headquarters in Stillwater, Ok at Oklahoma State University. The five of us are close friends despite the fact that we attend colleges across the country. Two officers are from Texas, one from California and one Oklahoma representative. (I am the loan Missourian!) Our advisor is on faculty at OSU, thus our meeting was held in the pan handle state. We discussed organizational aspects for the impending year which included events, sponsorships and meetings.

The next time the officer team will meet will be at the ACT Professional Development Conference at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ak. The team holds monthly conference calls and we interact through social media but it can be difficult to see one another other than at ACT events. Several of my teammates and I knew each other before we were elected.

It is so great to be part of such a wonderful national agricultural leadership opportunity. I look forward to the impending year and the opportunities I will be presented as a national ACT officer in order to enhance membership and better our organization.

Second vice president Jennifer Ray and I flew in early our first afternoon to take a walking tour of the OSU campus. 

The OSU library (fun fact, I know an ACT member who has proposed to his fiancée at the top of this bell tower!) 

Taking a break from business meetings to eat at one of my favorite restaurants, Eskimo Joe's. 

The ACT National Officer Team thinks agricultural communications is #1! 

Before we departed back to our respective universities, we had to showcase our new Eskimo Joe's attire. 

Farm Bureau Family of the Year

At the Missouri State Fair the Brammer family was honored as the 2012 Daviess County Farm Bureau Family of the Year. We were delighted to be named as this year's outstanding farming family. In commemoration of the award we received a plaque and were featured on the front page of our hometown newspaper, the Northwest Missourian. Unfortunately, I was attending Collegiate Agriculture Ambassador training during the State Fair but my younger brother Dane was able to represent the family.  

Our entire family (including Teddy the Corgi) in our Farm Bureau attire. 

Missouri 4-H Foundation

As an eight year old, I had a passion for agriculture and public speaking. Thus, joining my local 4-H club was the perfect fit for my interests. Today, as a 19 year old, I have spent more than half of my life in this wonderful organization. As many 4-H alumni would say, I "bleed green." 

4-H has taught me that I do not just "pledge my head to clearer thinking," or "heart to greater loyalty," I act upon the actions stated by our pledge. The organization is about doing and doing well. When I think clearly I am considering all aspects of my future and endeavors that promote my abilities. I am loyal to the industry of agriculture and am committed to my future. I credit 4-H for developing me into the individual I am today. It has enhanced my skill sets on subjects from flower arranging to cattle showing and allowed me to meet some of my best friends on once in a lifetime agriculture experience trips. 

As a Knee-Hi 4-H member of Daviess County, my membership set the stage to leadership roles at the local and state level. I served two terms as club president. Now, I am a member of Collegiate 4-H and have been honored as a two time Missouri 4-H Scholarship recipient. I am so proud that the Missouri 

4-H Foundation has invested in me. I hope to one day be able to give back to 4-H as a club project leader and active alumni. 

Receiving the Williamson 4-H Scholarship was a tremendous honor. 

I am so proud to be a member of Collegiate 4-H!

90 Years of Agricultural Journalism

(Back Row) Julia Schuck, Sarah Woodhurst, Jessica England

(Front Row) Courtney Leeper, Breanne Brammer, Kari Weist and Professor Sharon Wood-Turley attend the Mizzou ACT reunion. 

Happy birthday to the University of Missouri Science and Agricultural Journalism department! My degree program has officially turned 90 years old. To recognize the accomplishments and distinguished leaders of MU science and agricultural journalism, faculty organized a reunion weekend. This retreat was an opportunity for alumni to return to Columbia and reminisce about their days in the MU School of Journalism and time spent in CAFNR.

I enjoyed meeting with alumni during a reception banquet. My advisor and department chair, Professor Sharon Wood-Turley, spent many hours coordinating the successful event. Guests included the Dean of CAFNR and numerous leaders in the agricultural communications field. Current science and agricultural journalism students were recognized for accomplishments and past program successes were highlighted. The weekend included a bike tour, agribusiness tours and a reception at the MU School of Journalism.

At the celebrations I learned that I am not the only student who struggled with news writing class. Nor am I the only past Ag J student who has worried about a Corner Post deadline and stressed over AP Style rules. It was also great to see past graduates and to learn about the exciting turns their lives are taking. In all, it was a weekend of remembering the past and celebrating the future. 

The evening was an opportunity to meet with recent program graduates (most of whom I knew through Mizzou ACT and Corner Post) and with prominent alumni. 

SEC Tailgating Season

A new era in Mizzou football has begun as the University of Missouri officially joined the SEC this year. Along with updated uniforms and snazzy promotion materials, this means a new opponent roster  for the Tigers. For the inaugural home SEC game I donned my black and gold attire and grabbed my student tickets to see the Tigers take on the University of Georgia. The first ever SEC football game did not disappoint. Though my university did not come out ahead on the score board, it was a once in a lifetime experience to watch the game as a fan. The stadium was packed with alumni coming home to cheer on their college team, with freshman expereincing their first Mizzou game ever and for fans of all ages and backgrounds. 

Tailgating is an opportunity to enjoy good food and the company of great friends! Hannah Wedemeyer Shannon Yokely and I ate some delicious tailgate goodies prepared by Shannon's parents. 

It's game day at Faurot Field! Record crowds were in attendance for the inaugural SEC game.

Megan Couch, Shelby Huber and I are cheering for the Tigers as they take on the University of Georgia. 

Welcome to the Zou! 

A Country Wedding

Mason jars filled with seeds, wildflower bouquets and a beautiful fall day created the perfect backdrop for a country wedding. Recently, my cousin, Renee Brammer, wed her fiance, Orien Warren. The Warren's had an outdoor ceremony complete with a country chic reception in Chillicothe, Mo.  Groomsmen wore boots and donned camouflage hats for the reception while the bride wore her mother's veil and sported a mason jar glass for festivities.

Guests danced the night away to country favorites by Rascall Falts and Loanstar. I enjoyed two-stepping with my date to some of my favorite 90's country music!

The wedding offered a chance to celebrate a beautiful marriage and to also catch up with family members from near and far. During table conversation I discovered one of my third cousins will be traveling to China soon. You never know what will you will find out at a Brammer family wedding.

Renee and Orien's wedding was a great opportunity to travel back to Northwest Missouri and to spend a weekend with the family. My wedding date visited my farm the day and helped me check cattle with my family. In all it was a perfect weekend in the country!