What Growing up on a Farm Taught Me

Running around the farm barefoot chasing kittens or riding in my green, battery operated, John Deere gator is how I remember most of my days growing up. Not a care in the world and definitely, not worried about being covered in dirt or dust. But as I grew a little older and took on more responsibility, I started to realize just how important everyday care of the animals really was. I have reflected on the skills and lessons I’ve learned through growing up on a farm that I wouldn’t have learned otherwise. Skills that have benefited me in life such as:

Humility

First and foremost, always be humble. This was especially true in the show ring. Somedays you lose, and some days you succeed, and that’s okay. It’s just how it goes. I learned to appreciate and be proud of what I had because coming out on top of a class when you least expect it is one of the most humbling experiences.

Strong Work Ethic

If anything can teach you a strong work ethic, it’s unloading 300 hundred small bales of hay on a humid, 80-degree day. Ask any farm kid. It takes a lot of grit, hand blisters and sweat to finish unloading that many bales. It was one job I never looked forward to but knew it had to get done. As with any chore on the farm, you don’t quit until the job is done and done right.

Responsibility

It’s not always easy to get up at the crack of dawn to do chores, but I did it anyway. The heifers had to be fed, and usually, they were before I even ate breakfast. It didn’t matter what day it was or what was going on, either way, the chores needed to get done. These responsibilities came alongside schoolwork and all extra-curricular activities, which meant no fun until the chores were finished.

Patience

Ahh, the joys of training show heifers to lead. Somehow, every year out of my three siblings and I, I’d end up with the sassy, crazy one. It never failed. It took a lot of time and effort to get those heifers to walk just right. A lot. Some days I’d get so frustrated I’d want to throw the towel in and give up. However, it just took time and a whole bunch of patience.

Attention to Detail

I’ve always been detail orientated, but I’ve become more attentive since being around cattle. Keeping a close eye on the heifers every day, looking for anything abnormal, was how I ensured each one was healthy. A snotty nose, cold ears or loss of appetite signaled that the heifers might be sick. I also took pride in washing my heifers every day to ensure they were spotless from head to toe, in preparation for various local, county and state shows.

These skills and lessons I’ve learned from a young age have continued to carry me throughout every aspect of my life. I wouldn’t trade growing up on a farm for anything, even though some days weren’t as picturesque as others.