Calling it a Career

Last day of work picture

Paul G. Goldsmith has retired from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS is a technical assistance arm of the Department of Agriculture - helping farmers conserve resources and preserve the environment. He started with that organization in Oakland, Iowa in September 1982 - right after we were married. We were babies! And didn't really understand the significance of the career he had undertaken and the impact it would have on our lives. I was just excited that he had a paying job near mine in Omaha!

Our 1982 engagement photo - I got a lot of mileage out of that blue blazer

NRCS soon realized what a gem they had. Paul was promoted to a "boss" of an NRCS office in Mitchell County in 1984 at the age of 26 working with farmers directly, promoting practices to reduce soil loss. And if you know farmers...As the son of a farmer, he did it very well! He moved between boards, the state office, and stakeholders with ease. And managed staff - most were much older than he was in those early years. We enjoyed our time "up north". I found a good job at Fox River Mills - a cool sock and glove factory - as their order department was just becoming computerized. We met many wonderful people and explored the area. But, when Paul had an opportunity to move south to a more challenging hilly county (with bigger deer) in 1986, he applied!

We moved to Creston in November 1986, taking our sweet one-year-old Amy with us. That led to a 26-year run in Union County, an awesome place to raise kids. And hunt deer. Paul career flourished there. He traveled to Washington, DC for training, was part of a hugely successful project to build Three-Mile Lake, which took many working parts and ongoing work on the watershed above the lake (and the lake next to it - Twelve Mile) to keep it from silting in.

I know I'm really not touching the surface of the number of projects Paul and the people he worked with accomplished. I've always told him - no matter what, he can always say he built a lake! I remember driving out and looking at where it was going to go. Now many towns and rural residents enjoy clean drinking water from the lake. The lodge on the lake holds weddings and cabins, family reunions. Not to mention the fishing!

I must admit I'd get a little crabby when a farmer would call at 4 PM on Saturday to ask Paul a program question. But one must consider they don't work office hours. Paul was always very patient, answering their questions. I know it's not heart surgery, but we dirt and trash people are very passionate about what we do. We often bring our jobs home with us. He lost a lot of sleep, worrying about work because he's a fretter and because he truly cared about the outcomes and their effects.

I put my career on hold as we followed Paul's. I feel fortunate that I was able to work in a number of interesting jobs - and eventually found my passion at age 40 doing environmental work too. Ten years ago, after both kids were out of the house, I took a job with the Department of Natural Resources in Des Moines, commuting back and forth. After four years, an opportunity came up at the NRCS state office in Des Moines for Paul - and we moved here.

It was hard to move away from the job he'd had for 26 years, but he was ready for a new challenge, managing the EQIP program. He's been very good at that, and they'll miss him. But Paul and I are very real about this retirement thing - we've seen it happen. You miss retirees, but it's like a pool. You get out - there are some ripples left behind, but eventually, the new swimmers take over. It's the way it is meant to be.

Paul graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. It's hard to get a job in that field - and when you do, you work long hours. He got good advice when he was in school - take Agronomy! Then use your vacation hours to pursue your passion. I think he's even more passionate about hunting deer now than he was when we met...not just the actual hunt, but the sustainability of the herd, putting up stands, observation etc.

What's in the future. I'll continue to work. As I mentioned - no career for me until I was 40, so I need to put in some more time. We'll need to set some ground rules - my telecommute time on Friday mornings are sacred - I can't have him bugging me! haha  He will take some time to get his bearings. He has a number of home improvement projects he'll work on. Our children also have projects! Dad's got skills - yard, woodworking. Now that they have houses...

Paul had a retirement party on his last workday at one of our favorite places, a woman-owned brewery called Peace Tree in the East Village. Even though it was on a Thursday in January, many current and former co-workers came for a beer and a chat - a real tribute to the employee, boss, and friend he was. Our daughter Amy flew in to surprise him. She has the best boss to let her off (self-employed). That was a treat. Jud was there in spirit. Thanks to Paul's workmates for planning the party - it was perfect! It was fun talking to people - many had little Amy/Jud stories. And Paul stories.

It is an exciting time! And a little unsettling for someone who doesn't do nothing well - but he's got big plans.

   

NRCS likes clocks!