3 P's of Farming and Me

PURPOSE
I have heard for a lifetime that we were all created with and for a PURPOSE............well that is easier said than figured out, because sometimes it may take a lifetime to figure out our purpose.  It wasn't quite a lifetime but it took many years for me to see where God had led me.
 1.  A mother...........not just the ability to give birth to my 2 blood children but the motherly ability to love those that need the unconditional love of others.  The ability to reason and nurture the ones that I work with.
2.  A wife......because its learning to join or unite with another person that believes in what I do and where we shall serve.
3.  A farmer...........taken in consideration #1 + #2 yes you get a living......or choice of life.  I believe all these together have given me the opportunity to build the living where we work the land, care for the animals he created and feed his people not just by mouth but by deed!

PASSION
If you have followed any of my blog you will know that I am a 1ST GENERATION FARMER !! At times in my life I thought we were crazy to keep pursuing a dream that is costly and so physically and mentally challenging. But a spark was lit years ago and the fire continues to burn brighter and longer each and every day.
"You will never make it.....You do not have the finances to start or grow such a business......You can never touch so many people by being a farmer."  Just as cruel as it was then when I heard those words....it still is today.......BUT that spark lit the fire beneath 2 young, you will never make it off love hearts......that continues to oil the fire that passions my soul!!
It is the individuals that criticize you that can make you stronger!!
1.  The mother in me that would stay up long hours to make sure a calf made it thru the night......the mother in me leaves the house in the middle of the night to tend to a sick worker who needs medicine....the mother in me takes care of the flock by day and night.....the job has never clocked in hours. Its the idea that watching every animal like my child......will nourish from the care.
2. The wife in me makes sure the work is complete at home and on the farm so that the table can be used......the wife in me listens in the wind and watches with her heart to see where I am needed most!
3.The farmer in me delights in the smiles from families that I know are able to eat and from the seed that is planted.............watered, sheltered and harvested because we know no different.
Not just the occupation as a farmer but also the biblical meaning of farming when God said "the Harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few."  Learning to sow a seed spiritually.....educating and being a joy to someone who needs you!

PRIDE
Pride in the bible I understand is a sinful thing, so before you assume..... listen to my meaning....
The Pride that ignites me.....inspires me.....makes me better.
It is the self respect, hard work that I have personal worth to make a difference and learned to be humble. It is my hands that have been left to his decision in where to take me next.....

For it's the "hands in the dirt, hearts at work" for it's the 3 P's of the world that made me."  The friends that have shared in my endeavors and understand our passion and the family that keeps us stable!  For if no one reads my blog I know that one person will.....thank you Grama.....

Going to be a voice....

Had the most wonderful opportunity to hear from the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) Krysta Harden at the American Farm Bureau Federation conference. As a woman it is so exhilarating to see her stand proud from the farm to the city.....sharing her story and love for the land!

I myself am living this dream backwards....coming from the city to the farm.  Deputy Harden states, "Its not our livelihood but our way of life!" If we don't share our story no one else will.

Some do not understand my story that why it's important to share it.....especially as I am still writing my personal book. 

The daughter of two school teachers....my morals and tradition runs deep!  Just like the farm tradition does for most. I grew up under street lights and by the sound of vehicle traffic. So many say "when I grew up a farm...." Something that I can never say......but live for the day when my two girls will share that phrase. I can't wait to hear "my parents started their own farm and I grew up in agriculture and understand the viability of hard work, taking care of your resources and learning what feeds the world really means."Each day I learn more my feet may move me but my voice is what will grow me. 

"If your not at the table, then you will be on the plate!" A phrase I heard in a leadership class a couple of years ago is so very true today. If we don't sit at the issues then we will not be able to stand for the solution.  I want to be the voice for us farmers because we all can't.....especially if we are tending to the fields. I use my voice....louder and prouder........as Neale Donald Walsh said....Life begins at the end if your comfort zone.

Another job on my list of already too many things to do right????  For it's all another day in the life of the farmers wife.....

Me and Deputy Secretary

It's not what I do....it's who I am

Everyday we all get complacent in our ways and our works.  I myself fit into that sentence.....but have to say not 100%. Every day is still anew day in our house and on the farm. The weather in KY changes as often like you change your underpants it seems. 

We get up, go out....well in the winter my husband does....he breaks water, feeds the hay etc.  I take care of kids, the house, and TAXES. 

We travel in the winter to meetings and leadership conferences.......and my most recent trip with Farm bureau I realized again I am exactly where I am meant to be.

The woman in the airport started to stir conversation and asks, "why are you traveling?" I simply said for a meeting....and she ask then "what do you do?" I then went into my spill of owning a farm and being a farmer myself.  The look on her face was priceless as she pondered her next statement...."wow I would have never guessed that because you do not look like a farmer." (Not sure if she was stumped by my dress, age or maybe it was the long blonde hair.)

My story was then simple....it all started with a dream....the ability of health to tackle that dream, and the willingness to work to live that dream! Obviously 30 minutes later she heard my life story.....and I realized again it doesn't matter what you look like, or what you do......it's really who you are!

I don't farm for a living.....I am a farmer and I work for a living!