First off……just let me start with apologizing for my absence. Between juggling the end of the school year…enrolling my little boy in kindergarten and full blown hay season I’ve just had limited time to spare for my interests. Plus, lets be honest–my real reason is I haven’t had any inspiration for a post.

Tonight, my husband and I attended a meeting at Von Holten Ranch for the Benton County Veterinary Service dinner. While sitting there in this very crowded room I realized something—it is evident that the average age of an American farmer is 58.3 years old. I’m not calling those in the crowd old but just from looking around the room the percentage of producers 35 and younger were much slimmer compared to the older generations ( and I don’t mean weight 🙂 ).

On the way home we both made mention of the dynamics of those in attendance. Both trying to think of reasons as to why it happened to be that way. When I look at an elderly couple in their late 60’s or even 70’s the first thought that comes into my mind is family farms that have been well established and passed down generation to generation. That is something that always warms my heart. Those families take pride in what they have built and are willing to pass it down to the next generation in hopes they can continue the tradition.

After doing a little research and using the information from the most recent USDA Farm Census–the numbers made things a little more clear. By the way, the next census is under way and I believe it is vital to turn in those numbers and information. The past census shows that the number of beginning farmers decreased by 20 percent from the prior census. To me that shows me one thing—becoming a farmer from scratch or just trying to stay a float in those early years can be a struggle and sometimes it easier to let go then it is to continue.

My husband and I met almost 11 years ago. At that time he had a few cows (10-15 if I remember correctly). I came from a family farm that also kind of diminished when my father took a job off the farm when I was a child. We were blessed to use the Beginning farmer program through the USDA and Farm Service Agency. We actually just used the last year of our 10 years with the program. Without this program we wouldn’t be where we are today. By the end of the program we have built our herd from those few he originally purchased to close to 200 cow calf pairs today along with purchasing 160 acres.

At one point, we truly believed we would have the chance to be part of the next generation of the family farm and unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances that won’t be happening. Luckily we were able to use resources from my husbands grandfather and local farmers to sort of give us a foundation to start on. In the last year we have really been tossed to the wolves and had to fight our way just to stay a float.

Farming is such a hard and risky profession. Not only do you have the financial issues but you also have the weather, market fluctuations, and just input costs and equipment upkeep. Within the last year we have had to purchase a full line up of equipment due to not being able to use the resources from my husbands previous involvement on the family farm. Being a farmer in general is hard. Trying to become a farmer and venture out on your own is even more difficult.

We are so far in debt it isn’t funny. However, we are taking major risks in hoping we can fight on to give our children the chance to become the next generation on our family farm if they choose to do so.

I have grown so much over the last two years not just by knowledge but just my confidence on helping on the farm. Two years ago I hadn’t even driven a tractor to feed hay or rake hay for that matter. Today, my daughter and I can be caught in the cab of a tractor feeding hay in the winter, daily and raking hay in the summer (trying to please my husband with my raking abilities–but we will leave that story for another day). Two years ago I wouldn’t have done it. I was scared to. I wasn’t given the opportunity. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to it just wasn’t something women did on their family farm. When my husband and I were thrown to the wolves and out on our I was finally given the chance. Since then I have surprised myself. I can’t tell you that there hasn’t been tears or yelling matches but even through all of that my confidence on what I can do and what I am capable of doing in the future has grown tremendously. My goal next year is hoping to plant more then an acre of corn and beans along with mowing or baling hay. Until then–I will take any tractor time my husband is willing to give me. 

Many family and community members say we are in over our head and we won’t make it  and that we are destined for failure. We were hesitant at first but we decided we would rather take the risk of trying to make it work verses always looking back regretting we didn’t at least try. Some call it crazy and foolish but I like to call it taking a leap of faith. The next few years are going to be a struggle but with the help of a few select family members so far, we have been able to hold on. I’ve seen multiple posts lately about dairy farms completely selling their herd or all those in other states selling out due to the drought. If that day comes for us, we can at least look back and say we tried. Granted I would probably shed more then a few tears but I hope that day never comes.

My husband and I don’t have new equipment other then a couple items that were more reasonable to purchase new but we are lucky to have what we have. A John Deere 4250 was the first tractor and major piece of equipment we purchased and so far I am more fond of it then any other piece we have. To me it symbolizes that first step at standing off the first pack of wolves standing in our way. She may not be new, and she may not be in the best of shape but I am still proud of her (yes, I’m referring to the tractor). Looking at our situation I can’t help but think of those families that have passed down their farms from generation to generation and what their first big purchase was. Today, they may be fortunate enough to have the new equipment but they had to start somewhere. Heck, going back it could’ve been a couple mules and an old plow.  At one point those farms were starting from scratch like we are and look where they are today.

Looking around the room tonight, I didn’t just see an older generation I saw HOPE. I saw blood, sweat and tears. I saw an older man working his last day on the farm only to see his son working harder for the sake of his father and his family. I think of the risk those farmers took but looking tonight, I saw the reward.

I hope 40 years from now, I can look across the table at one of these dinners and provide HOPE and INSPIRATION to the younger generation sitting around me. Granted they look past the grey hair and wrinkly skin—or maybe even my outdated clothes.

Our family has some tough years ahead but we chose to take the risk over the reward. We chose to take the major debt load and hectic days. We chose to attempt to build something. We chose to be like that farmer from over a hundred years ago that said, “You know what- I want to become a farmer and feed the world, I want to take that leap of faith.”