07/20/2022
Did you know farmers rank near the top of the list as most likely to die by su***de.
The life we live is by far the most incredible, rewarding and satisfying, however it comes with costs.
The stress of having to get a crop in, sustaining that crop, and then harvesting the crop is unbelievable. Until you have lived this life personally, there is no way you can fathom what every farm family goes through every single day of the year.
They put it all on the line & go ALL IN every year. They risk thousands (or even millions) to buy fertilizer, seed, fuel, equipment chemical, ect not having any idea what they’ll be able to sell their grain for. farmers are by far the biggest gamblers on the Earth.
In the blink of an eye, anytime, anywhere the crops (and a lifetime worth of work) can be wiped out by a flood, drought, wind, hail, tornado, insects, weeds, etc. Things like this are always on the back of our minds.
Being ridiculed by the general public for driving on the highways with big, slow equipment and being cussed at, yelled at, flipped off...makes everything even more difficult. Having large corporations running multi million dollar marketing campaigns to tell consumers they now have a “gmo free” product in which there isn’t even a gmo made only scares people for no reason.
When you try to to better yourself and build our business, only to be talked about at the coffee shop by neighbors who we've known for years.
Having to constantly be worried about someone sneaking around & trying to undercut you on rented ground. It’s knowing that every single day the city keeps creeping closer & closer stealing more & more land. Seeing another homestead being cut in half by eminent domain so the over pass can go through. It’s field after field being covered in solar panels.
Not ever being able to make a plan because you don’t know what the weather will do. You miss social events because it's planting/harvest season and a big rain is coming. For those that are single, loneliness sets in from not spending time with other people and worrying if you’ll be able to find someone who can understand this life. For those that are married, you miss meals with your spouse and/or children so you can put food on other people’s table. For those who are divorced it’s making sure that the family farm doesn’t get split up in divorce agreements & making sure that your kids know you love & support them even though it didn’t work out the way you hoped.
Having to market crops when input prices are out of control, and the board of trade changes literally by the minute.
Equipment malfunctions, breakdowns, etc cost not only money but also time not to mention who knows if or when we can get a part in a timely fashion.
Early morning starts and late night runs... when work needs done we sacrifice our sleep for days on end & it takes a toll on the body & your relationships.
Trying to manage relationships with your family who are also your business partners & making sure that you are not the generation who loses the farm.
All of these are just the very tip of the iceberg. A book could be written about all the things farmers face day to day.
So Why do we do it? Why do we keep showing up?
Because we were called to this way of life. It’s in our blood. We live for them smell the soil in the spring, feel the dirt as it goes through our fingers. We beam with joy when we get to see the first seeds pop through. We enjoy that no two days are the same & Every year is completely different. We enjoy seeing our young kids wave as they go by. Or when the community comes together to help someone in need and everyone helps harvest someone’s crop because they got sick and couldn’t do it.
Being the backbone of society & good, honest, hardworking people that get to earn a living working with our hands.
Farmers have alot on our plate and could use your prayers, encouragement and waves. Each one truly makes a difference.
Please remember your friends, family & loved ones need you. The world needs you here. It’s ok to not be ok.
If you or someone you care about is suicidal please share the national su***de hotline 988 with them.
Post originally inspired by Brandon Shelton
Www.Abetterwaytofarm.Com
