Make no mistake: Living and working on a farm will always demand your time. While many folks run to the gym on Jan. 1, farmers are already getting their workouts on with all the physical labor required in the job description. From self improvement to diet and workout plans, here are a few responses from fellow farmers and ag bloggers with what their New Year’s Resolutions are:
Wanda Schott Patsche — row crop and pigs, blogger at Minnesota Farm Living: “I think of a resolution we have every year and that is to do a better job than the last year — whether that means animal care, soil health, or marketing our crops (there’s always room for that!). Beyond the farm itself, continue connecting with consumers both online and in person about what we do on the farm. Also, be more involved in our local community to make it a better place to live and raise a family. And last, but definitely not least, enjoy life with our family remembering not to sweat the small stuff but truly focus on what is important!
Adrienne Ivey — co-owner at Evergreen Cattle Company, blogger at “View From the Ranch Porch”: “My New Years resolution is to write more frequently. Hopefully this year it sticks!” Follow Adrienne and her writing at www.viewfromtheranchporch.com.
Amanda Zaluckyj — blogger at www.farmersdaughterusa.com and fellow AGDAILY columnist: “I realized in 2017 that I can be an obsessive perfectionist. In 2018, I want to work on appreciating all the beautiful imperfections in my life.”
Lesley Kelly — blogger at High Heels and Canola Fields: “Try my best everyday to be a better wife, mother, sister and friend. Love deeper. Hug and say ‘I love you’ more. Laugh longer. Try new things that scare me. Read more.”
Peterson Farm Brothers — creators of parody and informational videos on YouTube. Fans of Greg, Nathan, and Kendal will be excited to hear that the trio wants to “make more videos in 2018!”
A couple of other popular resolution ideas are:
- Work fewer hours.
- Wake up earlier.
- Take better care of health. Put yourself before the livestock sometimes!
- Grow more crops.
- Enjoy the beauty of nature on the farm and share it more often.
- Do more fishing and hunting; make more time for hobbies.
- Be better about staying on top of bookwork, more organized.
Then of course there are the usual resolutions, like lose weight through diet and exercise. Many farming folks wanted to work harder to pay down bank notes, and it’s an unfortunate reality when you’d hear responses like, “Just try to stay in business one more year.” When commodity prices go down and the cost of doing business goes up, it has been a tough year or two for many farmers. But alas, that is the nature of the beast for us in farming. “Maybe next year.”
But it is next year! And there is the time to do things better than the year before. Pray for better weather. Stay optimistic about what’s on the horizon — with better yields and new opportunities. It’s what makes farmers eternal optimists.
What about you? Do any of these resolutions inspire you to do the same on your farm? Have any other resolutions you’d add to the list? Share it in the comments!
Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, is an Iowa-based farmer, public speaker and writer, who lives and works with her boyfriend on their farm which consists of row crops, beef cattle, and sheep. She believes education is key in bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.
