By Britta McGuire, 3rd Generation Egg Farmer, Sparboe Farms, Litchfield, MN

Work and play. Labor and leisure.

To my grandfather, Bob Sparboe, they were one and the same. He liked to quote a poet, who wrote: “A master in the art of living … always appears to be doing both.”

My mother, sisters and I know exactly what he meant. It can be hard to take a day off. The hens in our care never take a day off from supplying eggs that feed more than 4 million American families. But we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Our Sparboe Farms is a third-generation family-owned business. And now, side by side with my mother and my sisters, I’m proud to be a certified women’s business enterprise reflecting modern agriculture. From our farm, nestled beside one of Minnesota’s famed 10,000 lakes, we oversee, and we also work with other egg farmers in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Colorado.

But we will take a bit of a break during Easter to travel to Washington, D.C., to join other egg farmers at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll celebration. This famous American tradition began in 1878, and today is one of the largest annual gatherings hosted by the White House.

While this annual event is a fulfilling moment for my family and me, our daily work is what makes this career worthwhile. Following my grandfather’s passing in 2005, my mother, sisters and I did not hesitate to keep this tradition alive because it’s not simply a job; it’s our life. We are fully dedicated to what we do: feeding families and enriching lives.

We’ll be sure to bring the best of Minnesota to our nation’s capital. And as you plan for Easter gatherings and hunt for colorful eggs, please know that egg farmers send you their very best every day.