When I joined Successful Farming magazine in 1999, I was impressed with and intimidated by the many accomplished journalists on staff, including my boss, John Walter, and his good friend, Betsy Freese.
Betsy had started as an assistant swine editor and worked her way up through the ranks. She pointed out that areas of agriculture and journalism were still part of the “good old boys’ club,” and it was empowering to see her walk into that club and pull her chair up to the table. She embodied the term boss lady, defined as, “the most powerful woman in a particular setting.”
Creative Vision
Betsy came up with the brilliant idea of starting a sister publication aimed at acreage owners. Living the Country Life was born, Betsy was editor in chief, and I was thrilled to get to work with her. “You’re the target audience,” she told me. “Write about your life and the things you want to know.”
Betsy had a no-nonsense approach to work that was simultaneously refreshing and terrifying to less seasoned journalists. If she didn’t think an idea had merit or an article wasn’t up to snuff, she would say so, but it was strictly professional.
She taught me that journalists need thick skin, and that critiques of one’s work shouldn’t be taken personally. Those lessons have served me well, and I shared them with my oldest son when he decided to study journalism.
Watch and Learn
When John Walter retired, Betsy became my supervisor. I was happy to get to work with her even more closely. It was exciting to see her create her most famous feature, Pork Powerhouses, every year. There were so many big hog producers who wouldn’t give other journalists the time of day, but they always took Betsy’s call. They knew she was a professional they could trust to simultaneously tell their stories and keep their secrets.
Over the past 22 years, as I became a more confident journalist, Betsy remained my boss but also became my friend. I watched her kids grow into the wonderful adults they are today and was touched to see her excitement over the birth of her granddaughter.
She was there from my pregnancy with my first son through his freshman year of college, and she always had the words I needed to hear when struggling with a particular stage of parenthood: “Been there, done that, and trust me, it gets better.”
Betsy has a glamorous streak and a stunning cowboy boot collection, but she’s no stranger to chore boots either. She’s Bruce Springsteen’s biggest fan. She loves reading and opera. She’s tough but fair, funny and loyal, smart and talented. She has been an amazing advocate for her team, for journalism, and for agriculture. She has true grit.
Even though she’s retiring from Successful Farming and will now strictly be my friend and no longer my supervisor, in my eyes Betsy will forever be a boss lady.
Betsy Freese and Lisa Foust Prater at Betsy's retirement celebration.
