❤️ Heartbeat March 2025

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MARCH HEARTBEAT

Celebrating Ag Day on March 18 and EVERY Day

For more than 40 years, Heartland Marketing Group has told stories of agricultural production and the companies serving those who produce food, fuel, and fiber. Every March, we have the special opportunity to celebrate production agriculture and all those who devote their lives to growing crops, raising livestock, and making a difference on Ag Day. This year Ag Day is on March 18, during National Ag Week, coinciding with the arrival of spring, symbolic of new life and growth.

There’s so much to know about the people who produce the food, fuel, and fiber we need. The American Farm Bureau collected a few statistics worth reviewing:

The US boasts 1.9 million farms
Family farms and ranches account for 90% of total agricultural production value
30% of all farmers have been in business less than 10 years and their average age is 47
9% of US farmers have or are serving in the military
Farm and ranch families make up less than 2% of the US population of 340.1 million
On average, one US farm feeds 169 people each year
Women make up 36% of the total number of US farm operators and 58% of all farms have at least one female decision-maker.

Farmers in the US do an extraordinary job at increasing productivity, decreasing use of natural resources, and putting systems in place to protect our land, water, and air. Perhaps more than any other industry, those production agriculture collaborate, share information, and support one another in their noble mission.

All of us at HMG live on, grew up on, or own farms. Our roots run deep in both agriculture and communications. We are honored to tell agriculture’s story and offer our appreciation for the less than 2% of the US population who ensure we have what we need to live and thrive.

We salute America’s farmers and those who serve them on Ag Day and always!

Update on Vance – Our Heart Warrior!

Last month, we told you Katie’s Vance would have open-heart surgery on February 27. Unfortunately, winter viruses struck and his surgery is rescheduled for the end of April – near his first birthday.

To learn more about their journey, take a moment to read what Katie and Derek wrote for St. Anthony’s Birthing Place to share on their social media during February Heart Month. Your prayers for Vance and his family are always welcome and appreciated!

On April 29, 2024, our sweet Vance was born. Up to this point I had a normal pregnancy and normal delivery via c-section. Derek and I got to hold Vance for a short period before he was whisked away to be cleaned up and checked out. Shortly after, Derek and I would hear the news no parents ever wants to hear - Vance had dropping oxygen levels and a very pronounced heart murmur and needed quick action/intervention. The St Anthony nurses and doctors were nothing short of amazing and took great care of him while we made the decision for Vance to be life flighted to Children’s in Omaha.

The nurses and my doctor at St. Anthony were the best, even in a situation where no one knows what to say. We’re so thankful for their care and compassion. Shout out to Wendy who’s been my nurse for all three of our boys deliveries, and to Brooke who came in to just sit with me for a bit.

Later that day Vance was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia which was ultimately caused by a genetic mutation 22q 11.2 deletion syndrome. He required his first open heart surgery at 7 days old and a one month stay in the cardiac unit. We have since been back and forth several times to children’s for appointments and Vance has proven how resilient he, which is quite spectacular when you think about his diagnosis. Vance is the sweetest and his two older brothers adore him. He has overcome EVERY SINGLE OBSTACLE that has been thrown at him. We often tell people if you didn’t know anything about his diagnosis, you’d never know anything was wrong. He continues to grow and thrive.

While this journey has not been easy, it’s also been so rewarding. Our hope for other parents in similar situations with heart warriors is that they know that it’s OKAY to feel every emotion in the book and those feelings are VALID…anger, happiness, hope, resentment, exhaustion, defeated, anxiety, and joy. We also hope eventually, the good days outweigh the bad. A few things we’ve learned: have steadfast faith, lean on family and friends, always advocate for your kid, and control what you can you can control and then go with the flow and trust God and the doctors in your corner. Vance’s cardiologists, surgeons, and nurses are top tier and we thank them for their talents.

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

May your mornings bring joy

And your evenings bring peace.

May your troubles grow less

As your blessings increase

Happy Anniversary, Katie!

We’re so grateful to have Katie on our team and celebrate her 11th work anniversary at HMG this month!