Your Newcomerstown Neighbor: Meet Emma Conner
Meet: Emma Conner, receptionist at Bliss Veterinary Services in Newcomerstown and a local farmer
Education: Newcomerstown High School graduate, 2021
Emma, please tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your career with Bliss Veterinary Services.
“I am the daughter of Jen and Jim Conner and grew up on our family farm just outside of Newcomerstown. My family includes two brothers, two sisters, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, three nieces and my boyfriend Wesley, as well as a host of extended family all residing locally. My high school years were active with cheerleading, student council, and Youth to Youth with a focus on mental health challenges facing our teens.
"I am a certified Q.P.R. Gatekeeper (Question, Persuade, Refer) and my mission is saving lives. My training includes being an emergency support person for someone that may be in crisis. In addition, I know where to obtain professional help for those struggling so they can start therapy as soon as possible. This was something I have been very dedicated to, and hope to remain involved with in the future.
"At Bliss Veterinary Services, we are a very fast-paced veterinary office with two full-time veterinarians and a large support staff. My responsibilities include scheduling appointments, putting my strong customer service skills to work as I am on the phone a good bit, in addition to billing and other functions associated with the office. I have a great love of animals and I enjoy visiting with the beloved pets we see on a regular basis and having the opportunity to meet new clients, and their humans too. I appreciate working with Sara as it is so wonderful to see her interact with each animal as if they were her own. Our office team is family oriented, and Sara is one of the most compassionate people I know, and customers bring their pets from all over to see her which makes me feel fortunate to be a part of Bliss Veterinary Services.”
You are part of a farming family too! Please tell us about this important aspect of your life, and what downtime activities you enjoy.
“Yes, I help out with the cattle on three farms including my parent’s farm, my brother and sister-in-law’s (Jake and Ashley Conner’s farm), and well as the farm I reside on my with boyfriend. Taking care of the cattle is something I enjoy, but it keeps me very busy in addition to my full-time job. There are many early mornings and late evenings, but being a part of agriculture and supplying valuable food sources to our community is very near and dear to my heart.
"There were a lot of times growing up that I didn’t get to leave the farm and be at a dance or other school activities on time or maybe at all, but these are types of sacrifices farmers make every day. I relish in the fact that my brother Jake is the next generation in my family to purchase his own family farm. He and his wife Ashley are also the owners of Tilton’s Custom Meats in Newcomerstown. Another awesome interest they do with their two young daughters is producing fresh honey and maple syrup to sell at farmer’s markets and at Tilton’s.
"My down time is fairly limited, but when I do find a little bit here and there, it is spent with family. My niece Mary has a new pony, and I love riding with her. She already adores farm life, and I cherish being able to spend time with her and my other two nieces when I am able.”
What would you like to highlight for us?
"One thing I would like to convey is how very important farmers are to all of us. Agriculture is essential as without it, everyone would be hunting and gathering their own food. I feel an incredible need to pay tribute to the small farms some of which are starting to be bought up by young farmers such as my brother and his wife. My family loves farming, and we truly believe in it, and want all farmers to be successful young or old. Too, God isn’t giving us any more land, therefore we must take care of the land we have.
"Newcomerstown is a great village with many businesses and also the farms surrounding us. Both are needed as farmers generate, eggs, meat, vegetables, etc. with their roots and growth beginning on the farm, but their journey will end at the store. When we buy from local farmers and the businesses selling the farm’s bounty, we are supporting the farmer, as well as the store and workers employed there.
"Statistics say 96% of farms in the United States are family farms, and I hope this continues for the future. There is nothing like growing up on a farm and seeing the fruits of our labors in addition to all of the other blessings of being part of a close-knit farming family.”
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Your Newcomerstown Neighbor: Meet Emma Conner
