09/14/2026
We all bring our whole selves to what we do, and farming is no exception.
Coming into this life without generational farm blood in my veins means I didn’t inherit the rulebook—which has turned out to be both a learning curve and a quiet blessing. I brought habits from an entirely different former life, adopted a few unconventional ones out of pure necessity, and tossed aside plenty of "standard operating procedures" that simply didn't suit me.
Purists, look away.
Take footwear, for instance. Are flip-flops considered standard farm PPE? Absolutely not. Would any sensible livestock producer recommend wearing rubber thongs across a pasture? Never. But on a humid morning when I just need to cross the yard or check a quick gate latch before coffee, they are quick, comfortable, and keep my feet cool. I draw the line at full-contact chores—nobody needs a hoof landing on an exposed toe—but I’ll stand by my slip-on insubordination for the light runs.
Then there are the spreadsheets and the stubborn habit of applying board-level project management to creatures that only care about sweet feed and fresh grass. Some days I catch myself analyzing pasture rotations like an executive workflow, only to remember the sheep don’t read quarterly reports and if I look too close to the numbers I'll forget my reason for being here!
Farming by the book works for plenty of folks, but sometimes you have to build a rhythm that fits the life you actually chose to create. If that involves breaking a few unwritten agricultural commandments along the way—and letting your toes breathe—so be it.
What’s the one habit in your work or hobby that would make the traditionalists shake their heads?
