There are many reasons why Agriculture is such a enjoyable calling and occupation. One of these reasons is variety, what some would call the spice of life. Yes, the farming life is very spicy. There are few occupations that require such a broad list of skills as the farmer. The list is so expansive that no one farmer ever masters them all and he spends his whole life as a steward of creation, learning. The farmer is a student first and foremost, always learning and observing, searching out the complexities of God’s creation. It is a lifelong pursuit. If our city cousins put this much time and effort into their “jobs” it would destroy their lives, but the farmer has not a “job” but only a life. Agriculture is way of life and everything the farmers does is done with those he loves, his family and the creatures placed in his care. Yesterday my second oldest son Noah and I were working together catching up on some extra work that needed to be done before his brother John and I started milking. Noah is five and that day he learned how to put a tire on the skidsteer, how to properly tighten lug nuts and what could happen if you do the wrong way. After that we worked on a plumbing project, installing new drinking cups and water lines in the part of tiestall barn we are remodeling. By milking time I felt confident that Noah could do the job himself if he needed to. This is where farmers learn their skills, at their daddy’s side. Generation after generation, farmers learn to be good welders, veterinarians, electricians, soil scientists, plumbers, mechanics, breeders and so on, at their daddy’s side. They learn to read the sky, judge the yield of standing crop, check the dryness of a windrow and know when an animal is becoming sick by the look in her eye, all by living life with their family every day. The farmer dose not understand his city cousin and feels uneasy talking with him. The city cousin has traded a full and abundant life for a dull and compartmentalized one. This, to the farmer, would be worse than death.
9 Dec
Posted by Kelle on December 9, 2009 at 4:10 pm
AMEN! Sons and daughters need to learn life skills from their fathers( and mothers), nothing to say of self motivation and hard work ethic. It is a way of life, not a job that you can just leave or switch careers. This is because so many are dependant on the farmer, even if most do NOT realize just how much.
It is difficult talking with our city friends, they think our farm is a big petting zoo and filled with beautiful green pastures and gardens full of beautiful flowers( many of which are herbs) and interesting vegetables, many they’ve never heard of, much less seen.
Thank you for the reminder of just how blessed we Agrarian farmer families truly are!
Posted by Scott Terry on December 10, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hi Kelle
Your remark about people being dependent on the farmer reminds me of Almonzo’s mother’s response to his offer to work in town. One of my favorite parts of Farmer Boy! Thanks for the comment, don’t seem to get many anymore and it was an encouragement.
Posted by Kansas Milkmaid on December 13, 2009 at 5:20 am
I like this post. Right on target. I like the diversity of skills required and when there aren’t skills, I love the prayer it takes to find a way to wing it. Your sons will be a blessing to you and I am sure to all those they come in contact with.
Christina
Posted by Doris on December 17, 2009 at 9:04 am
Wow, you have just what my heart knows and loves about farming, and so sadly, my architect husband does not get. But I am beginning to think this ‘depression’ is driving many folks back to the land.
=)