Michaela Leimkuehler is the agriculture reporter for The Marshall Democrat-News.

Featuring 2015

Posted Thursday, December 31, 2015, at 3:29 PM

"It's tough being a cowgirl." Although there were so many great photos to choose from this year, this one pulled at my heart.

When New Year's Eve arrives, I am once again obligated to recall memories of the last 364 days in the year. It comes as no surprise that this past year was full of many blue-ribbon worthy moments and a few down-right miserable ones. I strive to always move forward with a happy heart. I plan to leave all the failures and insecurities that may have crept up this year in 2015.

South Dakota blogger and my friend, Sierra Shea, inspired and created the idea for this post. On her blog, she featured a word of the year. For 2015, she chose the word "margin." To read her article that prompted me to write this post, click here.

I accepted her challenge to choose a word to describe this year. Attempting to find just a single word to capture the good, bad and everything in-between wasn't as difficult as I expected. After compiling a handful of descriptors, I landed on the word feature .

The most prominent feature for myself in 2015 was a career change. It was a blessed twist of fate that I landed the agriculture reporter position with The Marshall Democrat-News. I've always enjoyed reading and writing, but detested the thought of becoming a journalist. It could have been the bad taste left in my mouth from my college career. Writing page after page of bland scientific analysis might have spoiled my love of writing. I wanted to go out and get my hands dirty, not sit behind desk and type. Luckily, I have the best of both worlds. I can photograph show pigs one day and sip coffee and type up a story the next. I can't believe I went so long hating something I actually adore.

I'm thankful this opportunity has inspired me to reach out into my community. I have the chance to feature individuals in Saline and Lafayette counties who are making an impact in the production of food for the world. I've learned things about agriculture from 8 year olds showing livestock all the way to older farmers who strictly farm organically. Those moments in life cannot be taught in the classroom or the office.

Another feature or characteristic of 2015 that will always be remembered will be the new additions to my friends' families. There were many tiny reasons to celebrate life this year, and I'm so thankful they let me steal a snuggle with their little ones.

Not only were there many new babies born and celebrated, but there were also many announcements of engagements. I have an extra large planning and organizing bone in my body. While some dread big events and party planning, I like to indulge in small details, making the event as perfect as I can. I've been asked to be a bridesmaid in a very good friend's wedding next year, and I'm thrilled to help her execute the perfect day for her and her husband-to-be.