Category Archives: Uncategorized

It’s Breast Cancer! Ugh

April 26, 2023 It’s cancer.  Not something you ever expect to hear.  Last Tuesday I had an appointment scheduled with my general doctor to check out a lump I noticed.  That kicked off a week of craziness. Wednesday a 3D mammogram and ultrasound. Friday a biopsy.  Monday a formal breast cancer diagnosis. Tuesday detailed labContinue reading “It’s Breast Cancer! Ugh”

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Flare – what’s it like?

In the past two weeks I’ve: – Cancelled volunteering at the State FFA Convention – Taken a couple half days of PTO – Cancelled supper with a friend – Did not attend a strategic planning session for a board I’m on. – Did not attend a fundraiser event I’d been looking forward to – leftContinue reading “Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Flare – what’s it like?”

“Mom, am I too dumb for Kindergarten?”

“Mom, am I too dumb for Kindergarten?” Oh my gosh, how young are we when we learn to compare ourselves to others? “Why do you ask that?” “My friend can read and I can’t.” She and her friend both start Kindergarten in a few weeks. “Beautiful girl, your friend has two teachers as parents. TheyContinue reading ““Mom, am I too dumb for Kindergarten?””

Could the Global Pandemic Reverse “Brain Drain” of Rural America?

I’m watching around me where co-workers and friends are being told they can continue to work from home. No big deal, right? No! It’s a BIG DEAL. I see agricultural leaders from large and small Ag companies, Co-ops, Non-Profits, etc. for the first having a CHOICE to lead and raise there family outside of theContinue reading “Could the Global Pandemic Reverse “Brain Drain” of Rural America?”

Valerie Velde Bio

Val Velde is the Regional Customer Operations Manager at Land O’Lakes, Purina Division. She is responsible for multiple teams within the Purina Animal Feed Division of Land O’Lakes including Billing, Customer Care (disputes team), E-Commerce Customer Service, Upper Midwest Region Customer Service, and the Consumer Customer Service team. She is celebrating year 18 with theContinue reading “Valerie Velde Bio”

A Disability Awareness Story: It’s Ok to Ask

Val Velde, Co-Chair Disability Awareness ERG, Land O’Lakes Imagine driving in a large city that you are unfamiliar with when suddenly your vision goes blurry. So blurry you can not read signs and can barely tell if you are in the correct lane. Employees with disabilities find themselves in uncomfortable and sometimes unsafe situations. What’sContinue reading “A Disability Awareness Story: It’s Ok to Ask”