Service and commitment gained in the military brought to the farm

Lile in El Salvador, extracting teeth. Every farmer or rancher knows that the work doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. They put livestock first, make sure the hay is baled before the storm rolls in, and trade a full night’s sleep for calf checks every two hours during calving season. For Jan Lile, that service and commitment is nothing new.Her 20 years in the United States Air Force taught her lessons that continued to shape her life long after her time in the military. Today, she spends her days caring for the cattle and working alongside her family on their farm near Strafford, Missouri. Although she has traded in her uniform for a pair of work jeans, the dedication she developed during her military career stays the same. FARM TALK recently spoke with Lile about her journey through breast cancer that was featured in the Oct. 28 issue. This is a continuation of her story that reflects on her time in the Air Force and life after retirement.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.