A Job Well Done

Henry David Thoreau said, “What is once done well is done forever.” That quote epitomizes my husband. When I think of someone who knows the value of hard work, I think of Joshua.

A Master’s in Agronomy. That’s what Josh has been working on for the past two and a half years. When people hear that he’s getting his Master’s, they think sitting in class, writing papers, then graduation when you’re done. 

Not Josh’s program. Not Josh.

The past two and a half years have been grueling. He has had course work, yes, but ultimately he has been trained in research and statistical analysis. He has conducted his research out in the field--actual fields. He has planted, sprayed, and harvested research plots in three different locations around the state--some three to four hours away. Because these are research plots, he has had to be meticulous about each step. Measuring, calculating. During the growing season, he has collected spreadsheet after spreadsheet of data, spending hours on his knees in the middle of corn fields calculating how many weeds are present, how much sun is getting through. He has analyzed and processed the data using methods that go SO far above my head.

In the past two years, Josh has not only completed his research project, but also worked a full time job as a research assistant for his advisory professor. This means that Josh has managed and conducted research projects for this advisor on top of the research he is doing for his own degree--doubling, if not tripling, his workload. He has presented this research at conferences around the country, fought to get papers published, traveled to extension presentations to share his research, all while managing undergraduate workers, his own course work, and time at home with me.

In the past two and a half years, Josh has guest lectured, taught an undergraduate course, worked to get his CDL so he can transfer farm equipment across the state, received his drone pilot license, added some extra classes to get a minor in statistics, attended competitions and presentations all over the midwest, worked nearly every Saturday, put in 10-12 hour days every single day, and finally presented and defended his thesis--the last step to getting his degree.

  

Josh wouldn’t say any of this, and that’s just one of many reasons why he’s so amazing. Josh’s work and research have improved the agricultural industry, his work ethic has inspired many, and his accomplishments are countless. To say I am proud is an understatement.

If you see Josh, congratulate him on a job well done--and it’s done forever!