illustration courtesy of Pixabay
by Heather Lang
College years are said to be the best of years of your adult life, the exploratory years. Our oldest, who will be a junior in high school this upcoming school year, has been receiving an influx of mail from colleges across the United States. The pressure for young adults to know what they want to do with the rest of their life is daunting. Reflecting on my own journey, I realize how critical it is to define one's own path, even if it diverges from the conventional or expected route.
I attended college in the very northern part of the state and chose that college specifically because of my major. This college at that time was ranked as one of the state’s top colleges for my chosen major, horticulture. College for me was not exploratory. My college years were focused and purposeful; focusing on my academics, going to the gym to workout, all while maintaining a full-time job and pretty much every weekend I traveled back home to be with my fiance, now husband. We were high school sweethearts, engaged right out of high school and attended separate colleges on opposite sides of the state. Many doubted we would make it and told us the “odds were stacked against us.”
In high school I took horticulture as a college elective. When we got the floral design part of the curriculum, I was hooked and instantly knew that was something that I could do for the rest of my adult life and not dread going to work. Floral design allowed me to use the creative side of my brain. I mean how could you possibly get bored? The array of flowers to choose from, the variety of arrangements you make each day, and the combinations were endless. Just like every day was NOT the same, neither was one arrangement to the next. Being a small part of bringing joy to people’s daily lives was rewarding. Getting an associate's degree in horticulture provided a wider range of career opportunities.
My focus and determination during my college years allowed me to start my very first business shortly after graduating college without taking any huge loans or adding additional debt to pay off. In 2004, I was fully self-employed and the proud owner of Forever Fresh Wedding Decorators. In the beginning, I pulled a customized little 5’ x 8’ enclosed trailer with my red Dodge Neon, and my family members were my right-hand workers. It didn’t take long to recognize I needed a bigger trailer and more help. In 2020, I made the decision to slowly back away from the wedding business, not due to lack of work or lack of passion for the business, but because it was increasingly hard to find the right employees, and my focus had shifted.
Our local community had a need, and the greater public had concerns. The shelves in the stores were empty, which led to panic for many, along with questions and the longing to connect with where their food came from. For a couple of years, I had this idea to start a small pop-up store where people could get cuts of meat and other goodies. All the products would be grown, raised or made on our farm. I was looking for connection, the general public was looking for answers and someone to rely on. I just had to figure out the logistics of making it all happen.
By 2021, we had invested in a small building and made it exactly how we wanted for our store front and decided to have it located right on our farm so people get the full experience of our livelihood. Despite initial skepticism, the concept flourished, embodying the values of connection and sustainability. In addition to our storefront, we also have a mobile meat trailer, and we offer personal deliveries in the area. The success of this business, coupled with the support of my family, reinforced the belief that with determination and hard work, anything is achievable.
This personal narrative serves as a reminder to our children and others that defining your own path, despite the odds, is not only possible but can lead to deeply rewarding outcomes.
To follow our story and journey, I invite you to follow us on Instagram @ndpiggytales.
Heather is the former NDFB District 7 Promotion and Education Committee member and is also a former American Farm Bureau Federation P&E member. She currently serves as the president of Burleigh County Farm Bureau. Heather and her husband, Lucas, raise animals and crops on a 5th generation farm near Bismarck.