Farmers, It Takes All Kinds To Get The Job Done
I'm meeting with someone from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management tomorrow. They do routine checks just to make sure all farms are running as they should be. It's our turn now.
Of course I'm a little nervous. I always want to be sure I have everything just as it should be.
I know there is a lot of negative talk about farmers today. Talk about how we abuse the land, the waterways and even our animals.
While I can't say that never happens, I can say it hardly ever happens.
As with every type of job there are some who don't do a good job, you find that everywhere. I don't deny that sometimes happens in farming. I don't defend poor farming practices.
What I do want to do is promote the good farming practices that the vast majority of farmers use.
There are all kinds of laws and protections put in place to see that our land and the surrounding land is in no way harmed because of our farm.
We know the exact amount of litter/manure that leaves our farm. We know exactly how it is transported where it is delivered and where it will be applied.
We know the lay of our land and the underground water systems.
We take soil and litter samples so we know what the soil needs and what is in the litter.
We keep our barns clean our birds warm and dry and in the summer we keep them cool.
They have plenty of room to move around we take great care of them.
Dairy farmers, hog farmers, beef producers, grain farmers and produce farmers big and small it takes all of us working together to feed the world.
No one type of farm can do it all.
We're blessed to live in a land were we have farmers planting thousands of acres and milking hundreds of cows and at the same time we have families milking a few cows and selling their milk and eggs.
Farmers Markets dot our cities and towns. Our family is a charter member of our local Farmers Market. We sell all of our produce at home now but we still love the markets.
It doesn't matter if you farm small or farm big the responsibility to the land and the animal is the same.
Big family farms care about their many animals just the same as the small family farmers care about theirs.
There is a place for all of us. There is a job for each of us to do.
We live in the land of plenty and with that comes plenty of choices. What a sad day it would be if we lost those choices, if we all had to farm just a like.
You don't want to farm like us you want to farm like you.
The person who buys what I sell may not want to buy what you sell, or the one who buys from you may not want to buy from me.
Farming is the most diverse occupation/lifestyle out there, unfortunately it has also became the most divisive.
It doesn't have to be that way.
Farming is a wonderful way of life, and there are all kind of ways to live it.
I've been blessed to see all sides of farming big and small and I love it all.
Thank a farmer this week, even if he does it differently than you. Lets give each other the respect that is deserved for everyone who does what we do.
I'll go first, Thank You to all of you that feed your family, feed your neighbors, your community and the world.
I appreciate you each and everyone.
Nicely written.
ReplyDeleteThere IS so much controversy and diversity when it comes to farming. It really, truly breaks my heart.
Good luck at your meeting tomorrow! :)
Thank you so much. It's just a routine check of our operation and paperwork. I believe I have everything in order so it should go fine. I agree about the controversy in farming. To be honest I wasn't as aware of how strong it was until I started my facebook page. That's what has really brought it to light in my world. I want to work to unite and find what we have in common. Some won't want that but many will. Thanks again for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts. I really appreciate it.
DeleteAmen, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteI have been saying this for years. I'm glad to hear someone from a big operation say the same things I've said/written repeatedly.
While it bothers me that farmers are seemingly under seige from those with no knowledge of the situation, it greatly disturbs me to hear farmers run each other down. All too often the practices in question are simply not understood. A little knowledge would go a long way to resolve the negative perceptions. Ag-vocating is an uphill battle.(okay, getting off my soapbox)
Hope your meeting and routine check goes well. Any type of inspection is so nerve-wracking even when you know you're doing things right.
I'm so happy to hear from you this morning Barbara. We must have a sense of when we need to hear from one another. I agree with you taking the time to slow down, really listen and understand each other would go along way. That and treating others as we want to be treated and thankfully most do that. While facebook spreads division it also can be a tool to reach out its' up to each person how they use it. I'm so glad to hear from you this morning, it was just what I needed. :)
DeleteUntil a person farms then they do not understand the farming lifestyle. Yes there are farmers out there that see only dollar signs and do poor farm practices and animal neglect but there are also huge corporations that do the same thing! A good farmer knows the land provides but if abused it can take away your livelihood and food. No two farms even if they produce the exact product will farm alike. The biggest problem in the US is government members who have never socked one muddy gum boot into manure telling farmers how to live. One even boasted that he doesn't understand why they worry about farming/farm regulations/surpluses because there are so few farms!! Education is the key. Farmers of all styles were the backbone in forming this country and remaining the power players for the country and on most US citizens plates. You may need a lawyer once in your life or a dr from time to time but you need a farmer 3 times a day!
DeleteOur government needs to support broad farming in every sense. They need to encourage green farming, encourage family farms to stay farming and they need to pass common sense legislation.
Farmers need to remember exactly what you said...no two farms are alike but they are all trying to do the same thing..sell product and feed people. One farmer can't run another one down. And newbys to farming cannot sit back and write off old timer's knowledge. Certain practices have kept farming viable.
I grew up a farm kid and I know exactly the hard work that goes into it. Our family was pig farmers with horses and sheep and did hay,my Mom's side did beef cattle, hay and corn. People miss seeing the farmer sitting up in the barn all night with a heat lamp to save a new lamb. Or the farmer's wife that makes a bed out of blankets and puts a litter of new baby pigs beside the wood stove in attempt to save a litter that their Mamma couldn't/wouldn't take. Of throwing hay in hot temps for the farm and for sale.
Education is the key!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. You are so right. When people are educated or exposed to what is really going on they understand. I did have to smile when I read about bringing the animals in and fixing them a place to stay warm. I've done that many times. I've also made a pallet or bed In the barn for my babies when I had to tend to a sow with her babies. There is so much to it that as you say, no one ever sees. Thanks again for sharing with us!
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