Hello, from the Buckeye State, It is 10:30 PM, Father's Day and I finally have time to sit down and write for the FB blog. I chose TIME for my post tonight because none of us ever seem to have enough of it, which is especially true for today's young farmers. There are a number of reasons for this including (but not limited to): job(s), children, spouses, parents, church, community service, etc. What sets today's young farmers apart from other young people is the level at which we have to operate/perform in order to be successful. Before I go too far, this is in no way meant to lessen the busy lives/careers of young people who are not involved in farming.

Looking back to when my parents got started farming, they were very busy. In this area in the early 70's 200-400 acres of land with a small livestock operation could support buying the land, operating, and supporting a family. They worked hard and when the weather was helpful, they got ahead financially. Today that farm would have to be 1000 or more acres, and either the land would need to be nearly paid for or the equipment would have to be paid for in order to be financially comfortable. Back then in most cases, the husband and wife worked together on the farm. Today, in almost every young farm family I know the wife works in town for a paycheck and health insurance and many times the husband also works part or full-time for a paycheck in order to feel some kind of financial security.

Family time can always fill any gaps in a busy work week. Today's young farmers are at a disadvantage and they may not realize it. Growing up on the farm with Mom and Dad at home all the time, we never realized what it would be like to have to schedule time with your family or TRY to get home and see the kids. And our parents/grandparents/uncles or aunts (who in most cases we have to work with to get started) don't realize the effort we have to make, either, because they didn't have to. My personal rule of thumb for the busy season (April 1 through November 15) is that if I haven't seen my kids awake for 2 whole days then I wll be there before they go to bed on the third day. How many young parents don't see their kids for days at a time? I can list other young farmers.

Church is a good time to see the family and visit with neighbors and friends. It's also not a bad time for a nap if the preacher is too long winded :) Hmmmmm? Maybe that is why it hasn't rained here for a month? Church is also a place where leadership is needed from the next generation and is sometimes dumped on young people who show any interest at all.

Community service: Many young farmers in our area seem to want to give back to their community even though time is limited. What I have found here is if you are under the age of 60 and you show up at a community service meeting, you are automatically volunteered for every job because you're "young" and the group needs to keep you involved. Maybe the groups should help build volunteers instead of burying them. Maybe the young people would come back and bring friends.

By now you're wondering what is the point? Well the points are as follows: 1. Today's young farmers are pulled in more different directions than any previous farming generations. 2. They have to work harder at family relationships because they are never home. 3. They are the future of most church congregations and church leadership which adds pressure to keep things going. and 4. They are the future of any other organizations they are willing to be a part of, including Farm Bureau.

So, anytime you meet a young farmer, don't insult them by asking if they have been busy; take just a moment and thank them for stepping up to the challenge of farming in the USA in the 21st century.