Don’t let fear of the unknown stop you

Our world is so diverse, full of different cultures, plant systems, climates and agriculture but, diversity in the Midwest is hard to come by.  

This summer I was given the opportunity to work for the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Hilo, Hawaii. At the same time, I was offered a similar position in Nebraska.  

The safe choice was Nebraska, I was used to the culture, I know the plants and animals and I love the Midwest. I thought that I wanted to work in this area the rest of my life.  

But in the end, I decided to travel to Hawaii, because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

As someone who grew up in rural Wyoming, I wasn’t sure I would like city life by the ocean.  

So many people I knew tried to convince me that I would hate the humidity, that the locals would hate me and that there wasn’t enough agriculture to keep me interested. 

That sparked some fear in me, a fear of change and unknown. 

After living in Hilo from May 20-Aug. 7, I can tell you that none of what Iwas told  was true. The humidity was not as bad as I thought it would be and the locals were nicer than anyone I have ever met.  

On the agricultural side, Hawaii is a big producer of agriculture products, specifically cattle, coffee and produce. At one time the Parker Ranch in Waimea, Hawaii was biggest cattle ranch in the U.S.

I learned more than I could’ve ever imagined and met a lot of amazing people with a true love of the land around them. Most producers I talked to wanted to treat the land right, even if it meant putting their own production on the back burner.  

I learned that not everything I learn here about cattle production or about rangeland management is going to apply everywhere. And that’s okay.  

The point is, we can’t let our fear of the unknown stop us from experiencing things in our lives. You can love home, but there is a whole world out there and you might not find all your answers in the same place you’ve always been.  

As much as I love the mountains, I am returning to Hawaii next summer to finish out my internship and hopefully be hired with the NRCS in the Pacific Islands Area after I graduate.