06/19/2026
Friendly reminder to support your local farmer. 💚🌱 Everyone has struggles, this is true — but the farmers struggles are to keep the world turning and keep us all fed, clothed, and more. 😉
I’ve met a farmer once.
I’ve met a farmer once who was grumpy, sad, and in denial, who couldn’t even crack a smile at my jokes.
I’ve met a farmer once who couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel and feared what next week’s weather might bring.
I’ve met a farmer once who was stuck in the barn morning and night while his kids played in sports, graduated high school, and even walked across a college stage. Not because he didn’t want to be there, but because the cows still needed to be milked and hay made between rain showers.
I’ve met a farmer once who skipped vacations, worked through sickness, and sacrificed sleep because the work couldn’t wait until tomorrow.
I’ve met a farmer once who carried the weight of an entire operation on his shoulders and still wondered if it would be enough.
I’ve met this farmer because he is my dad.
But he could just as easily be your husband, brother, your uncle, your neighbor, the judge standing in the middle of the show ring, or the volunteer EMT or firefighter who shows up when your family needs help most.
Farmers are everywhere. They are the backbone of our rural communities, quietly serving others while carrying burdens few people ever see.
Now, for just a second, flip the script.
Wouldn’t you be that farmer if you spent a dollar just to make a penny?
Wouldn’t you be frustrated if you worked your entire life to earn the trust of consumers, only to be told you were doing it wrong?
Wouldn’t you feel defeated if fertilizer prices, seed costs, diesel, and feed inputs just kept rising while milk prices went no where?
Wouldn’t you lose a little sleep knowing that hundreds of people depend on the food you produce, yet so much of it is out of your control?
There is no perfect balance for the average farmer. There are no guaranteed paychecks, no snow days, and no clocking out at 5 p.m.
So before you judge a farmer, put on a pair of work boots. Stand in his shoes, or her shoes, for just 24 hours.
You might walk away with sore feet, tired hands, and a new appreciation for the people who feed the world.
