It's a Girl Thing

The view from the hayfield.
 

The first five children in my family are girls. We grew up farming and working alongside the men in my family and the need to cultivate the land runs in our blood. My younger sister Cindy owns an alfalfa farm and operates it with her three daughters. I visited her farm and interviewed her about the role the land and farming plays in her life. Our interview, along with pictures of her farm, follows.

Q. Why did you decide to become a farmer? What did you like about the way of life?
A. Because I love the type of work and the way of life. What I like most about the way of life is that the profession is family oriented. I like working a long side my husband and children. I like being able to teach them to work, that we don't quit working until the job is done. I like that every day I get to do something different. I like the seasons. There is a good variety in the jobs that have to be done and in the skills required to do them. I like pushing myself to accomplish all that has to be done in a day and to be able to look at my work and see that I've accomplished something worthwhile. I like that farming is variable, risky and requires hard work. That keeps it fresh. I love to be outside.

Q. Do you do what some people would consider men's work? If so how do you view that work, as gender specific or just work?
A. Yes. And yes I view it as gender specific because men and some women remind me that it is men's work. I don't let that stop me from doing what I love. I hate it when someone tells me that I can't do something because its a man's job. I hate it even worse when they assume I can't do it. I view the work as a challenge. I think there are some types of work that men are better at than women and vice versa. Other than men having more physical strength I haven't come across a farming job that I think women couldn't do.


Swathing the hay.

Baling the hay.

Q. What has farming taught you?
A. Farming has taught me to be a hard worker. To have determination, persistence, faith and optimism. It has taught me to be a better conservationist. To always keep learning and expanding my knowledge base. To take risks but to be conservative also. It has taught me that I can do anything that I set my mind to. Where there's a will there's a way. It has taught me not to procrastinate. It has taught me to appreciate the small things in life and to enjoy the moments and to live the journey. It has taught me to appreciate the good days and trudge through the bad.

Q. Can farming support you economically? If not why?
A. No. Because it takes more $ than you make.

Q. What do you hope to pass on to your daughters about farming and their legacy?
A. I hope that they will have a very good work ethic. That they will learn to love family, the land, the livestock, God and that they can do anything.

Q. Does farming give you a sense of place meaning do you feel a greater tie to nature or the land? If so how?
A. Yes. Because without the land and the renewable resources required to farm you don't farm. You have to manage it correctly to sustain it. Choices made today are going to effect outcomes not only tomorrow but years down the road. 


My farming nieces.