Farm kid goes to the NFL, maintains farm roots

Okay, I don't do this very often, but today I would like to direct you to an article from the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. It is a story about a farm kid who plays in the NFL, but who still has deep roots in the Kansas farm ground.

Jordy Nelson (at left), Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver poses with his son Royal, his brother Mike and Mike's daughter Izabel in front of a pen of calves at Nelson's Angus Family Farm in Kansas. Photo printed in the JS, but is a Nelson family photo.

Jordy's sister is married to a guy from our small town. Their slow pitch softball team often plays at tournaments in our little town. Jordy plays on the team as "just one of the guys" and everyone treats him as such!...although he hits a homerun at nearly every at-bat!

The author of this news story seems to understand the ties to the land that farmers and ranchers feel. When a kid is raised working side by side with grandparents, parents, siblings, and even cousins they learn the value of hard work, the satisfaction of a job well-done, and they are forever tied to the land and the environment and want to do everything they can to protect and improve it.

I'm always impressed when I read a story of a farm kid who hits the "big time" and still maintains their roots. Jordy Nelson has done that very successfully. Recently, my husband and I attended a dinner meeting at the Nelson family's restaurant Nelson's Landing, and we sat by Jordy's grandfather. He is a proud grandpa and spoke highly of all his grandkids. Jordy's sister Kelsey served as our waitress and we visited with her about her husband--the guy from our little town. This family has done it right! These kids have grown into well-grounded, actively-involved adults. They are not "stuck" in a little farm town, but they seem to be drawn to it and appreciate the importance of farming.  As a farm mom, I want to say "Congratulations" to their parents!

• So enjoy this article about Jordy and his farm roots:  Wide receiver assists brother with farm work

• In a related story, while my husband and I were at the dinner, Jordy and one of his teammates were helping at a local house fire of a family friend! The story was picked up here: Nelson, Cobb help out at Kansas house fire

I'm proud to be able to raise my kids on a cattle ranch. I think they are happy to have had that opportunity, too!