Do you ever go through old family photos and—right in the midst of a happy bit of nostalgia—cringe? It’s not the memory you’re cringing at; that family camping trip to Lake Cleveland really was a great time. No, swimming and s’mores and campfire stories aren’t what make you recoil—it’s the way you look in those old pictures.
Seriously, just look at yourself: white T-shirt emblazoned with some garish purple-and-teal logo, tucked into khaki shorts that (maybe) reach mid-thigh, revealing far too much skin (and hair) above the crew socks rising from those awesome, sparkling white Converses. Thankfully, the local feed store had given you a free ball cap that spring, and its three-foot-tall crown left plenty of space under which you could obscure that ridiculous mullet. Let’s be honest; unless you’re Rod Stewart, the party you had going on in the back was never good for business in the front.
Oooh, look at this one from your seventh-grade talent show! Were you wearing plaid bellbottoms while you sang “Hey Jude”? Very nice.
And check out this one! Girl, you were totally rockin’ that side ponytail-stirrup pants combo. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
We’ve all made choices in the fashion realm we’d rather forget. Every family album is littered with frosted tips and acid-wash jeans, poofy bangs and hideous bridesmaids’ dresses, too much paisley and too much eyeshadow. The thing is, at the time, each of those now-regrettable decisions seemed like a good idea. Everybody was doing it. And when everybody looks like a fool, no one does…for a few years, anyway.
Of course some things, no matter how dated, will never be out of style. For example, two-toned Ford pickups with that mid-‘90s body style will always be awesome. Elbow patches on sport coats actually do make a guy look distinguished, not just old. Wrangler Brushpopper shirts will always look good on a cowboy or farmer (which is a good thing, because those things last forever). Bill Clinton jokes will never get old. A black tux is always the best bet for prom night. Sean Connery will always be the best Bond. And every farm in America should have at least one four-cylinder tractor from 1963 still hanging around.
Simply put, some things are worth holding on to; others ultimately are best served by being tossed on the trash heap of history. (If there is anything good left in this world, men’s cuffed pants will soon fall into the latter category.) We at Potato Grower have embraced this simple yet profound natural law and, after a couple hiccups, have introduced a new and improved website to better serve you, America’s growers. If you haven’t had a chance to see the facelift, head over to www.potatogrower.com and check it out.
We’ve made it easier to view and access the latest industry news. A new calendar feature allows users to see at a glance when and where potato-related events around the country will take place. Our industry directory is more complete and easier to navigate than ever, providing the perfect guide for filling any grower’s equipment, chemical, market and research needs. Favorite features from the magazine—such as Grower of the Month, Smorgasbord and New Products—are now more accessible than ever before.
Of course, not everything has changed. The Potato Grower wordmark logo still lends an air of professional credibility (at least in our eyes) we like to think we’ve gained a reputation for. The online version of this magazine is still just a click away, as are a great many back issues. And, as always, all the latest and most important potato industry news will continue to be delivered daily to all your devices. Some aspects of potatogrower.com certainly needed improvement, while other things indisputably were best left unchanged.
Farming is one of the oldest occupations in the world. The reason it’s remained so vibrant across the millennia is that its practitioners have always known when to let go of the old and embrace innovation. Conversely, they—you—have managed to hold on to the most valuable traditions from generation to generation. No matter how its face may change, agriculture is, at its heart, the same as it’s always been: good people working good land to bring good food to the table. That won’t ever change.
Embracing change doesn’t have to equate to abandoning tradition. After all, Crystal Gayle sounds just as good on the XM radio in your comfy, air-conditioned tractor cab as she ever did on an old eight-track. So go ahead, sing along to “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” Really belt it out into your air microphone; the GPS will stop the tractor before your inattention causes too much damage.
And next time you take family pictures, don’t stress too much about how everyone’s dressed. No matter how hard you try, it’ll look stupid in 10 years anyway.