Shine On~Women in Agriculture~Tayler Teichert
Shine On~Women in Agriculture~Tayler Teichert
Shine On~Women in Agriculture~Tayler Teichert
Shine On, Shine On was the subject of a blog post that I did a while back.
Here is the link to my first Shine On, Shine On post! I have decided that there are a lot of people that help me “Shine” and I am going to feature them on my Shine On, Shine On series.
This year I decided to start a new spin on my Shine On series and add a little more of agricultural spin. I am excited to be bringing you these interviews. My goal is to share these fine ladies stories with you all. Help me welcome my this Shine On Lady, Tayler.
From historic homesteaders to contemporary cattle ranchers, women have been the cornerstone of America’s agriculture heritage. In fact, the 2012 Census of Agriculture notes that nearly 1 million women are working America’s lands. That is nearly a third of our nation’s farmers. Women are also scientists, economists, foresters, veterinarians, and conservationists. Women are in the boardrooms and the corner offices of international enterprises, and are the owners and operators of small businesses. Women are property owners and managers. Women are policymakers and standard bearers. Women are involved in every aspect of agriculture.
Shine On~Women In Agriculture featuring: Tayler Teichert
Please tell us a bit about yourself and your career path.
I am a ranch raised girl and ranching has been my career of choice for the past 8 years since I graduated from high school. I recently accepted a position working in a gold and silver mine in Nevada. I struggled with this decision. I asked myself if I was being untrue to my passions and dreams, if I was making a giant mistake, and if I could handle not being on a horse every day? Well I am slowly discovering that I can still be involved in ranching while working for my future. On all my days off I can day work and help friends brand. After work I can ride colts or go team roping, I’m discovering a new level of freedom that comes from thinking outside the box. My passion and my dreams haven’t changed but the way I’m going about reaching them has.
Tell us about your role and what does your “typical day” looks like.
Days at work (the mine) differ from the days I get to day work. When I work on ranches I do whatever is needed, weather that be changing a tire, doctoring a calf, riding a colt, dragging meadows, helping brand… no chore on the ranch is off limits. Days at the mine I get up really early and feed my horses, pack a lunch, and make my commute. I’m usually home by 4:30 and then I either practice with my ranch rodeo team, rope the dummy, ride my colts, or a combination of all of the above.
Who is/was your biggest influencer or mentor? What did you learn from them?
I don’t mean to sound mushy but definitely my boyfriend, Kent. He has taught me so many fundamentals about roping and horsemanship it is mind blowing. I learned how to get out of my head when competing and that it doesn’t matter where you are it is just roping, and the fundamentals are the same. My father taught me to think like a cow and be able to read them and know what they are going to do before they do it. He also taught me how to work hard and smart. My mother taught me how to have compassion for others and animals. I look up to a lot of different people and I believe you can learn something from everyone you come in contact with.
How do you define personal success? How are you working to get there?
I’ve struggled with this for a while; I feel so behind other people my age because I don’t have it all figured out. I’m realizing most people, no matter their age, don’t have it all figured out and that is okay. Personal success for me is being happy in the here and now. If I accept where I am in my life and try to make the best of it that is success. I try not to wish my life away, because all these years of struggling are what make life worth living. Looking back on our trials and seeing how we overcome them.
How do you think a women’s role(s) in farming/ranching/agriculture has changed over the last decade?
I don’t think it has, I feel like women have always been a major part of ranching and agriculture… whether that be through them furnishing meals, raising bottle calves, or helping move cows, women have always been a giant help to make the operation run smoothly. I think a lot of people see more women in the industry now because of social media and ranch rodeos where women have the chance to tell their story and show their abilities but this generation of women isn’t the first to put in a long day in the branding pen and hustle to the kitchen to cook for the crew.
Learning from our mistakes is an important part of life. Would you mind helping others and share a mistake that you have made and what it taught you in the process?
Well this is a tough question because I have a lot of mistakes to choose from. But one I would like to touch on was when I was putting more effort into my image than my abilities. For years I was so caught up in looking the part and wanting people to believe I was handy while in all reality I was putting more effort into my appearance than actually practicing my skills. After moving around a lot and seeing so many different styles and ways of doing things I started seeing all the ways I lacked and that motivated me to improve.
How would you define “women in agriculture” or “women in your career”?”
Women in this industry a very capable, hardworking, driven, and talented workers. I think if women want to be seen as one of the crew or as an equal to men we need to stop making the fact that we are a girl in a male dominated industry a topic all the time. If we put in the work and don’t cause drama most crews will just view you as another hand.
What in your opinion, is the most important topic in the agriculture world right now?
I believe losing our permits to graze on public lands is a giant issue. If ranches lost their permits numbers would have to cut in half or even more. Most ranches in the west have a little home place that is private land where they may winter their cows or put up hay or something but the majority of the year the cattle spend out on The Forest Service or The BLM. If this continues more ranchers will have to sell out or drop numbers causing them not to need as many employees and more cowboys would be out of work. Plus there would be a shortage of beef in the US.
What is in your daily toolbox? Planner? Phone? Computer? Special item(s)? Why do you carry it with you?
I usually have my phone because bosses request that I have it on me so they can relay messages. And I usually have snacks, a pocket knife, and chapstick.
In closing, do you have any advice, quotes for young women, or anyone that is starting their career in agriculture?
Yeah I’ve got a few things to say. If you want to be involved in this industry do it for the right reasons, be willing to put in the work and be teachable. If you’re the smartest person in the room you’re probably in the wrong room. Don’t be afraid to look stupid or unhandy if there is a chance to improve. And don’t burn yourself out, a bow that is always strung will lose it’s spring.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Don’t be afraid to try a different career for a while, maybe you’ll find something else you love. Or maybe you’ll discover how much you love ranching and you will know that is you calling in life.
Tayler~Thank you for taking time out of your day to answer a few questions. I am lucky to have you as one of my friends.
Here are a few more reasons that you help me Shine On:
🌟I love your attitude. Your good attitude on everything you do does not go unnoticed. “
🌟 Your smile is contagious.
🌟You make me want to be a better cowgirl.
🌟Your a hard worker and it shows.
🌟Your beautiful inside and out.
🌟I admire your roping abilities!!! 🙂
🌟I know there is nothing that you can not do and that makes those around you, including me, want to try harder each day.
🌟Strong women stand together when things get rough, hold each other up when they need support, and laugh together when there’s no reason to.
When I think of you, this quote comes to mind:
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, and become more, you are a leader. -Chris LeDoux
My message to you, dear friend is Shine On!!
Thank you for just being YOU!~Naomi
Tayler and myself at the 2017 WSRRA National Finals. Thank you lady for all your fun laughs.
