Farmers are special. Sometimes it seems like farmers live in a completely different world from most people. While we’re (mostly) normal people, our lifestyle and job create some special accommodations.
Holidays aren’t any different. So please allow me to enlighten everyone on how our Christmas probably differs from everyone else’s.
Normal people: Wake up around 7:30 a.m. to open Santa’s gifts.
Farmers: Wake up at 5:00 a.m. sharp to fed and care for the animals. Finish around 9:00 a.m. to open Santa’s presents.
Normal people: Enjoy a morning of leisure and frivolity until it’s time to start cooking the big meal.
Farmers: Try to enjoy a morning of leisure and frivolity, but also really annoyed because there are things to do and the parts dealer is closed.
Normal people: Prepare a grand holiday meal to share with family and friends.
Farmers: Prepare a grand holiday meal to share with family and friends. Constantly check food packaging for offensive labels.
Normal people: Enjoy a grand holiday meal and try to avoid discussing politics.
Farmers: Enjoy a grand holiday meal while discussing the chore list for tomorrow, trade policies, crop insurance, and commodity prices.
Normal people: Enjoy holiday desserts and eat until stuffed.
Farmers: Enjoy holiday desserts and start to compile tomorrow’s to-do list.
Normal people: Enjoy a glass of wine and other cheers.
Farmers: Enjoy a glass of wine … but not too much because you still have to get up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Normal people: Say goodbye to guests and settle in for a chill evening.
Farmers: Say goodbye to guests and consider whether there’s enough sunlight left to work in the barn.
Normal people: Nibble on leftovers while watching television before going to bed early.
Farmers: Eat an entire dinner because there was enough sunlight left for a little manual labor and now you’re ravenous.
Merry Christmas!
Amanda Zaluckyj blogs under the name The Farmer’s Daughter USA. Her goal is to promote farmers and tackle the misinformation swirling around the U.S. food industry.
