I have recently been going through some personal transitions and in that I have seen some definite effects of this time and season that have grossly shifted things on the farm. I would imagine that there are many farm families that experience the same thing at one time or another and decided to share my thoughts on the matter.
When my farmer and I were first married and began having children, it was always our hope that at least one would have a desire to come back to the farm and carry on the generational legacy. Our oldest son has assumed that mantle of responsibility and at the conclusion of college would very much like to return to the farm as a productive member and decision maker. Idealistically this sounds wonderful, like a dream come true for us and for him. The reality of this decision is a bit more complicated.
For many people out there, a place of employment is just that, a place they go to everyday, put in their time and effort and then return home. Family time - relationships with extended family and family interaction - may have its own challenges but it does not involve livelihood. For the most part it is a separate entity that does not intermingle with one's place of employment. Family farming is a horse of a different color so to speak. There are no definitive lines of understanding or separation. Every family gathering, including holidays, birthdays and the like, will always involve discussion surrounding the farm. Sometimes the discussions are quite benign and easy going about the schedules of the upcoming days or how things are going in one aspect or another. But, there are other times when the conversations can be quite the opposite.
In the current farming climate, stress over weather, investment, return and pure survival are becoming big topics of conversation at any and all dinner tables we surround. The future, be it always a bit speculative in our type of business is now much more tentative given the current climate of agriculture in the United States. The statistics concerning commodity prices and futures has everyone a bit nervous and uncertain. As a result, I have witnessed the anguish of my 19 year old son contemplating his future and whether or not he will have a place at the table. Our hearts desire and goal is to insure this will come to fruition. What is most interesting to observe is his sincere love and commitment for a farming life he loves, his dream to be an active member in the future and the deep concern that such a dream may not be available. He would sacrifice his own dream of becoming part of the farm if that is the only way it can survive.
I bring up this subject only as I realize that we as a family farm are one of many dealing with this issue of generational legacy. The struggle is real for us all. Statistically, there is less than 2% of us in the United States choosing to actively farm and in that 2%, family farms make up 98%. The one thing about farmers I have learned over the years is, they are eternal optimists (for the most part). It would be impossible to do our job without it. But, times are tough and we could use any and all prayers as we navigate new territories. I believe that the continuation of agriculture as we know it is dependent upon the preservation of the next generation of farmers. Moreover, our future and your food supply depends on it.
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