12/13/2024
I am going to let you all in on a secret, that is only secret to those outside of Agriculture.
Farming and ranching doesn’t always pay the bills. A good part of the time, actually.
Most of us in agriculture recognize that we have to derive income from other avenues for the family to “live.”
Yep.
Many of us work full time “in town”.
Many of us work from home, have side hussles, craft and bake and clean for others. Some of us do day work for neighbors, drive school buses and coach. We sell crop inputs, farm ourselves out to plant and harvest and put up hay. We help by catering, working at the grocery store, keep books, sell beef and poultry and pork and eggs, privately. We sell insurance and drive truck and subsititite teach and the list goes on and on and on.
What does that mean for us?
Well, it means we have to farm and ranch after hours and on weekends and where we can squeeze it in.
Do we love this fact of life?
No. Not really.
Do we accept and embrace our reality?
Yes, almost always, yes.
Because the sacrifice is worth it.
But let me be clear.
As we feel the financial burden tighten further, and the margins ride on razor thin lines, the stress levels do go up and up and up.
Because cows don’t wait for opportune hours to get out, get sick, or calve.
Crops don’t wait for harvest when we “feel like it”.
It’s the biggest balancing and juggling act that we will ever perform.
Clear and concise communication along with a firm partnership, flexibility, are everything.
Where do you come in, who don’t live this?
Be understanding. Be kind. Ask questions.
That’s it. That is all.
Mr. Clear Creek puts his technical and computer skills to use in his off time to help OTHER farmers use the technology that aids them plan better and be better stewards of all their resources. He is good at it, and better yet, he loves it. It’s a win/win for this family and so many others.
