From Pallets to Purdue
Written by Addie Gauck
If you have ever lifted a pallet, you know how heavy that contraption of wood can be. I like to say that my agriculture experience was built from pallets in a few different ways. Growing up on a farm was the best thing God granted me. I spent my childhood running with, or away from, cows, chickens, pigs, and the occasional sheep. I spent spring and fall days running to the tractor, anticipating the next few hours sitting in that small buddy seat beside my dad or grandpa. I spent my childhood excited about the chores I would get to do around the farm each day.
When I started my 4-H journey, in Clover Buds, I knew that sheep would be my favorite type of livestock to show. The pen my dad and I created for these sheep was made from pallets, which was meant to be a temporary place until we created something more durable. Throughout the 10 years of my 4-H career, that pen was used, improved, and never moved. A temporary solution that turned into a place with some of my favorite memories of my childhood.
Likewise, when I started raising swine, I needed a place to keep my swine in the winter. Thus, I created another pen from pallets. This one was a temporary solution seeing as though my business outgrew the space the first pen provided. Pallets, even though heavy, created opportunities for me, just like growing up on a farm did.
I knew going into high school that I wanted to join FFA, a decision that in one way or another helped to shape my future. Being so involved in high school, I had to balance time for my business and taking care of my animals. Learning how to manage myself, my business, my hobbies, my friends, and my family allowed me to take steps and make decisions in my life that gave me even more opportunities. Through FFA I was able to showcase my hard work and dedication to my passion and my business through the proficiency competition and the Star Farmer competition.
My love for problem-solving and innovating led me to pursue a degree in Agriculture Systems Management. Growing up as a Boilermaker fan, I knew that Purdue was going to be my second home when I moved onto the next chapter of my life. Little did I know that I would find my second family away, my friends for life, and a community that I will always be able to depend on. Purdue has provided me with so many opportunities to grow myself already, and I am only beginning my second semester here. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me here at Purdue and the opportunities I will obtain in my time here. Agriculture is my past, present, and future and I hope that agriculture can have an impact on your life, whether big or small.
ADDIE GAUCK
Written by
Purdue Freshman in Agriculture Systems Management