We make trades every day, but at what cost? What does it mean to TRADE?

We are standing at a crossroads in our country. We face a generation and future workforce in need of help. Today’s youth face real challenges, the likes of which previous generations were not forced to navigate. Challenges include cyberbullying, issues of self-esteem, and digital security. These challenges have resulted in depression, deep-seated anxiety, and communication setbacks among kids.

Advancement in technology has afforded us opportunities to improve science and cure diseases that have plagued our families, friends, and loved ones far too long. That same technology will provide access to new networks, efficiencies across sectors, and net gains for many.

But what price will we pay? What’s on the table, and what are the terms?

Summer Nilsson is a fourth-generation Texan, proud to be from a rural community. Her ancestors contributed to factories, signed farm bills, and honored service members. They agreed that one’s community formed the fabric for future generations. Family, friends, and neighbors provided support along one’s path. Their word was their bond, and a handshake was as solid as a contract.

Summer was raised to believe in these small-town values, as well as the basic kindness extended by a simple smile. We learn these values early in life. One’s values shape their character, integrity, and work ethic. These are our roots. They connect us to our truth, and they must be protected if we wish to see the next generations survive.

We all know that irreversible shifts to our foundation have occurred. We see it in the headlines and warnings regarding depression with tweens and teens. The second leading cause of death among adolescents is self-harm and suicide. This is no longer a conversation we can avoid.

While we can neither circumvent technology nor undo the consequences of social media among today’s youth, it is not too late to pull up a chair, LISTEN, establish boundaries, and lay a new path based on learnings and data. After all, it’s that same methodology by which other advancements and change emerged.

We must realign by speaking up and working together because the fear of failure and cancellation can’t supersede the necessity for solutions and real conversation. It’s time for a rollcall. That’s the reason Summer founded Loodor and created the bestselling Loodor Tales Series and “HOO Are You?” education platform. By using books and layered characterizations to bridge dialogue, we have an opportunity to engage youth on their terms.

Told through the eyes of animals, the Loodor Tales Series is designed to instill self-worth and support mental health. The series follows Grey the Kitten on her journey to discover who she is and how she can help others. Grey is born with a magical voice that can only be used for good. Her voice can build things or break them, just like comments.

The Loodor Tales Series started in The Land of the Pines, followed by the sequel, The Land of the Strays. In The Land of the Strays, Grey meets Scout the Golden Retriever, a search and rescue dog inspired by the Texas A&M Task Force dogs who arrived at Ground Zero in the days following September 11th. The third installment of the series, The Land of the Trade, is available on Amazon beginning November 2024.

The Land of the Trade pushes the boundaries of self-reflection in a story guaranteed to remind readers they, too, can persevere through highs and lows. No mistake is insurmountable, nor victory a permanent position.

As Grey and her friends barter for a ride on the Subterranean Earth and Animal Tunnel (SEAT), otherwise known as the road to blind faith, they learn that intention has the power to fuel progress, especially in the underworld.

The Land of the Trade is written to remind readers that we are all searching for truth. We are all seeking connection. But what does it mean to SEEK? To seek, one must address the following four pillars: self-worth, existence, empathy, and kindness. This is particularly true in the “Shadows” of our own minds.

In the Spring of 2024, Loodor launched the “HOO Are You?” education platform to reach Texas schools and students through general assembly presentations and roundtable discussions. The purpose of the tour is to address issues including false narrative, mind chatter, and imposter syndrome.

By engaging students in real conversations about empathy and kindness, Summer works to offset the effects of social media and cyberbullying. The ongoing goal is to reduce the suicide rates among adolescents.

While on tour, Summer often shares her own personal experiences with social anxiety, as well as her background with a 25-year career in national media, publishing, marketing, and storytelling. Students relate to her stories. They are also excited to discuss character symbolism with a bestselling author. Both their love of the books, and intrigue about her background, facilitate discussions regarding mental health and what connection means in a modern world.

Above all, kids want to feel HEARD. They share experiences about cyberbullying, as well as safety tips to ensure strangers can’t track their physical location. That’s the world they live in. They discuss the risk of being filmed in the background of a video and the lifelong ramifications of one’s digital footprint as it pertains to college applications and work-place interviews.

Sadly, many students also speak to the issues of self-harm and the online comments that encourage it. At a school in Texas Region 8, after a roundtable discussion among students, a high school freshman suggested that we establish a landline to provide continuous support.

Following the Spring 2024 Texas School Tour, Summer shared this feedback with Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner for the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Commissioner Miller is an eighth-generation farmer and rancher. He has devoted his life to promoting Texas agriculture and rural communities. He was first elected to the House of Representatives as a community leader in 2000. He was elected statewide as the 12th Texas Agriculture Commissioner in 2014, and re-elected in 2018, followed by a third term in 2022.

A former agriculture teacher and local school board member, Commissioner Miller is committed to fighting childhood obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles for Texas schoolchildren. Determined to overcome the absence of local produce in school meals, he continues to promote the Farm Fresh Initiative, connecting schools directly to Texas farmers.

Concerned about the high rates of suicide among farmers, Commissioner Miller also implemented the Agri-Stress HELPLINE, a 24/7 support service operated by agriculture-aware personnel and offering vital support to individuals struggling with mental health. Since its establishment in 2022, the helpline has successfully intervened in over 216 potentially life-threatening cases.

Stress affects everyone in different ways. It impacts one’s mental health and physical health. We must teach today’s youth that it’s ok to ask for help.

Loodor is proud to share that “HOO Are You?” School Tours and the ongoing education platform will now include access to the AgriStress HELPLINE, offering 24/7 support to students and families.

Much like Scout, the search and rescue dog, we are all searching for something. For some of us it is the reason - the why. Some call it meaning. Others call it purpose. Finding one’s purpose isn’t easy. Answering the call… that’s even more challenging. Doing so requires sacrifice and a commitment to serving others. Commissioner Miller and Summer have answered the call to serve.

Because the truth is… we make trades every day. The trick is to decide what you’re willing to trade before you embark on the journey.

The Fall 2024 / Spring 2025 “HOO Are You?” Tour will kick off November 2024, with general assembly presentations at schools across Texas. Students will receive sponsored copies of the third book in the series, The Land of the Trade, on behalf of the Texas Department of Agriculture.

The tour is open to schools across Texas. Loodor will work with Texas Education Service Centers, as well as directly through school administration, to coordinate participation.

Schools interested in participating in the Fall 2024 / Spring 2025 “HOO Are You?” School Tour, email info@loodor.com.

Media inquiries, email press@loodor.com.