2014 Farm & Ranch Guide 'Country Woman of the Year'

(Left to Right: Jennifer Holle, Sadie Siemieniewski, Elaine Laubner, Katie Dilse, Laureen Stuber, and Donna Hase- the 2014 Country Woman of the Year Finalists)



So today was another phenomenal day in the amazing whirlwind year of 2014!  Yesterday, Thursday, June 17th, my family and I packed a small suitcase and headed to the Best Western Seven Seas in Mandan, ND to go to the '2014 Farm and Ranch Guide Country Woman of the Year'.  We started the experience off at 3 p.m. with a social and meeting the other Finalists, the Judges, and also the phenomenal staff at the Farm and Ranch Guide.  The caliber of people that I met was completely off the charts!  The Finalists were all fantastic, accomplished women that represent their families, their communities, and agriculture in general, that to be able to be stand next to them is just such an honor.  Then last night, we had a fun 'vacation night' away from the farm (just 10 miles away) as we totally utilized the indoor waterpark and then ate at one of my favorites restaurants, Montana Mikes.  It was a much-needed break from the farm and I treasure that Farm and Ranch Guide allowed us to stay at the hotel even though were from Mandan! 

 

Today, we got up and had a lazy breakfast and it was fun to just lounge in bed for a few precious minutes with my husband and the kids.  Then the kids got their swimming suits on and Andrew graciously took them to the pool while I got ready in my skirt and heels to go take pictures and then complete my interview with the judges.  At noon, the program officially started.  For the next 2 hours, the Farm and Ranch Guide pulled out all the stops with hilarious entertainment, thrilling speakers- Rodney Nelson of Almont, ND, and delicious food.  The conclusion of the Program was, of course, bringing all the Finalists on stage for the grand announcement of the 2014 Country Woman of the Year.  As the President/Founder, David Borlaug, of Farm and Ranch Guide was doing the last thank you's to the Sponsors, the Finalists where all anxiously waiting.  Here is the video clip of the winner being announced that Farm and Ranch Guide posted on their website:

http://www.farmandranchguide.com/news/people_and_industry/holle-named-country-woman-of-the-year/article_94f05bce-0eb6-11e4-b791-0019bb2963f4.html



And here is what I looked like after the announcement (what a puddle...lol!):

2014 Country Woman of the Year- Jennifer Holle

I am so humbled, surprised, and blessed that the Judges saw something in me that they felt I deserved this honor.  The other Finalists were truly an inspiration to me and to able to be part of a Sorority of Finalists for the Farm and Ranch Guide is something that I cannot even describe in words.  So Thank You to all the Finalists, Judges, Farm and Ranch Guide, Sponsors, and everyone included in todays events in making this dairy wife feel beyond special.

But, maybe the biggest 'Thank You' should be to both of my parents who nominated me in the first place and put together such a stellar nomination that I have been blessed in so many ways.  You both truly are....what is the best word.....I don't think there is just one word to describe how much you both mean to me, so I will just say AMAZING!!!  Thank you for driving all the way down and back just to be able to be part of this event, it means so much!

And finally, one last picture.  When the kids heard that I won and the congratulations had died down, I glanced up at the table to see where the kids had gone to.  Can you guess where they were?  How much do you think Mommy will actually be the one driving the new Rustler?!?  Thank you so much to Titan Machinery in Mandan, ND for making 4 kids extremely happy NEW Rustler-Owners today!