Good customer service is essential to any business or organization. It does not matter if it is a restaurant or a tow truck service, having staff members who leave customers or anyone who encounters your business with that “wow, that was great” feeling directly influences the bottom line. Customer service has become more important than ever as more consumers are purchasing goods and services without ever crossing the threshold of a traditional storefront.

This year I vacationed in Weston, Missouri. If you have never been there it is a quiet little town north of Kansas City. What I like most about Weston was the orchards. There are several orchards where you can pick your own fruit. Peaches were in season at the time we were there, but the late spring freeze had reduced the number of peaches so there were none to pick, but they had apples! Many varieties, and they were just starting to be ready to pick. I chose Jonathans. They are my favorite, because they are a cooking apple but also good to eat fresh.

As my family is in the depths of the fall harvest season, the landscape all around us is beginning its annual preparation for winter. The colors surrounding our farm have begun their yearly transition and serve as a visual reminder that we have entered a new season: Fall.

It’s as if overnight the leaves on the trees have yellowed, the morning air has become crisp, the sun sets earlier, the moon rises sooner and the fall crops around us continue drying down.

Every once in a while I like to evaluate my life and think about how I got where I am today. Looking back there are several things that influenced my choices in life: 1. My parents. 2. The farm. 3. My church. 4. 4-H. October is National 4-H Month. Growing up I was more comfortable being around animals than people. I was a wall flower. To a certain extent, I still am today. I am not one that likes being the center of attention. Four-H is what developed me into a teacher, speaker, a leader.