Figuring out what to say in a toast can be awkward. Should it be a sweet and syrupy, a roast filled with humor or dramatic stories? The same questions arise as I ponder how to celebrate the second anniversary of the AgChat Foundation and corresponding third birthday of the weekly conversations, AgChat & FoodChat. Should I offer funny stories of antics that have happened with conference preparations, roast the people who have done great things (and not so great things) or write about the drama of how someone’s tweet saved the world? By the way, if you have no idea what this AgChat thing is, see https://agchat.org.

I’ll simply raise my glass with a “Salute” or “Cheers” for the many wonderful people who have contributed to the community. That is, after all, what it’s about – not any one person, but the collective contribution of people working together. And I’m thankful to be a part of that movement. But I give the most gratitude for the community who makes it run. After all, the Foundation was started on the concept of helping people in agriculture better use social media to share our story – and the inspiration for the weekly chat was an agriculture working together, talking and reaching out. 15,000 plus people later, I hope some of that has been accomplished.

Rather than elaborate about accomplishments, I’d like to offer words that have been meaningful to me since I found them in an Apple print ad as a freshman at Michigan State – and still hang in my office today. I offer them as a challenge to each person involved in farm and food.

If there were ever a time to dare, to make a difference,

to embark on something worth doing, it is now.

Not for any grand cause, necessarily, but for something that tugs at your heart,

Something that is your aspiration,

Something that is your dream.

You owe it to yourself to make your days here count.

Have fun.

Dig Deep.

Stretch.

Dream big.

Know, though, that things worth doing seldom come easy.

There will be good days. And there will be bad days.

There will be times that you want to turn around, pack it up and call it quits.

Those times tell you that you are pushing yourself, that you are not afraid to learn by trying.

Persist.

Because with an idea, determination,

and the right tools, you can do great things.

Let your instincts, your intellect and your heart guide you.

Trust.

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind…

of doing something that makes a difference.

of working hard.

of laughing and hoping.

of lazy afternoons.

of lasting friends.

of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new brings the hope of something great.

Anything is possible.

There is only one you.

And you will pass this way only once.

Do it right.

Are you sure your dreaming big enough about food & agriculture’s tomorrow?