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I am truly
blessed to be the Alabama State Veterinarian. When I graduated from
veterinary school, I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would
someday be State Veterinarian. Even a few years later, when I went to
work with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries as a
veterinary medical officer, I never thought about being State
Veterinarian someday.
But life does
have a way of continually surprising us. So I find myself being the
Alabama State Veterinarian. I do not say that boastfully….quite the
contrary. I am humbled to be able to serve agriculture and consumers in
the job I do.
There are many
reasons for which I am thankful for my job. I get to play a role in
helping animal agriculture in Alabama to march forward. I am part of a
national network of state animal health officials that tries to navigate
the waters of regulating animal agriculture in such a way as to enhance
rather than to encumber the process. But the best thing about my job is
the absolutely wonderful people I come in contact with.
I never cease to
be amazed by the focus, ability and passion by which people in
agriculture approach their jobs. Since becoming involved with the
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, I have met many people
who are in the business of producing food animals or who are involved in
the horse industry. It is many of these people I have become dependent
upon for their expertise and direction. The Book of Proverbs says,
"There is wisdom in many counselors."
There is an old
cowboy poster I used to see around in different places showing two
cowboys talking to one another. One says to the other, "There’s a
lot they didn’t tell me when I signed on with this outfit." I can
relate to that. Nobody told me Alabama would have a case of BSE (Mad Cow
Disease). Nobody told me a small but vocal group who oppose animal
identification would make implementing the program such a challenge.
Nobody told me agriterrorism would be an issue I must constantly
consider. However, when these issues arise, "I get by with a little
help from my friends."
When the United
States reported its first case of BSE, along with Commissioner Sparks
and myself, Perry Mobley with the Alabama Farmers Federation Beef
Committee and Dr. Billy Powell were right there as we navigated through
that issue. Then a little over two years later, we had our own Alabama
BSE cow to deal with. Again, it was the same players, along with
Extension personnel, helping to keep the facts straight and reassure
consumers.
When the National
Animal Identification System began to evolve, I sought help from a lot
of my friends. I have had many discussions with Dr. Lisa Kreise-Anderson,
Perry Mobley, Josh and Michelle Elmore, Reid Blossom, Max Bozeman and
Eric Smith. These are the people who have worked with animal
identification for marketing purposes. They are out there with the
producers and have a feel for what will and will not work as well as
what producers are likely to accept. Not only these friends, but I have
made new friends when producers have called my office, often opposed to
any notion of animal identification. Many times, after a quite lengthy
conversation about the issue, I have made a new friend. I may not have
changed his or her mind, but have at least been able to make the case
from my perspective…and hopefully we’ve both learned something from
one another.
Countless times I
have been asked to speak before a group of producers who, for the most
part, did not know me personally. I have gained instant credibility
because one of my friends who introduced me was part of the group.
Otherwise, I would be viewed skeptically because I’m "from the
government." But when I’m introduced by someone like Tim Tucker,
Jimmy Holliman or Tim Shannon, I gain credibility because of the status
they have obtained among their peers.
When the issues
involve veterinary medicine, I have friends like Dr.s Dwight Wolf, Glen
Malone, Soren Rodning and many others. When there is a poultry issue, I
have friends like Dana Brindley-Bennett, Ray Hilburn, Johnny Adams, Dr.
Fred Hoerr and many others. If it is a horse issue, I have friends like
Dr. Cindy McCall with Extension and many others, including the Alabama
Horse Council. If the issue is getting important information out, I have
friends like Jim Allen and the folks at Cooperative Farming News.
I have always
heard and believe it to be true, you can tell a lot about a person by
who their friends are. That being said, then my momma is right. I ain’t
so bad after all. And I will have to agree with that famous song-writing
duo from the 1960s, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, "I get by with
a little help from my friends." |
