This past weekend, Kevin and I attended the Tennessee YF&R Summer Conference. The Tennessee YF&R County Achievement Award winners participated in a video called "I Am a Fortunate Man." This video shows what it is to be a farmer, and the reasons we farm today. These young farmers and ranchers are the most optimistic farmers I have ever met. They are facing a terrible drought year, yet I did not hear a single complaint from any of them about the hard times they are facing. They are optimistic about their future, and the future of farming, they are a true inspiration. Click here to view the video.

I Am a Fortunate Man
Author unknown

I am a fortunate man.

Few others enjoy the freedom that I sometimes take for granted.
On this farm, I answer to only one man.
The same man I look at in the mirror at the beginning of everyday.
I spend my days doing what I love and my nights surrounded by family and friends.
I am truly blessed.

I do not own this land anymore than it owns me.
I am only its steward.
I will use the land wisely; and do my part to improve it.
Caring for it until the time has come to pass it on to the next generation.
And I will do my part to teach them the same respect I have learned.

I have learned the nature of business and strive to understand the business of nature.
Peaks and valleys compose the natural cycle of farming.
I won’t get carried away by a peak, or destroyed by a valley.
I will move steadily on.
Tomorrow I will return to finish what I didn’t accomplish today.
I will rest when the work is done.

I have never asked for recognition.
Not even a thank you.
I am proud of what I do, and that is all I need.
I don’t farm with the hope that I will get noticed.
I farm because it is what I was called to do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

I must plan and prepare for the future even though
I can only speculate at what it will bring.
I will keep an eye on the future and a foot in the past.
To continue to feed a growing world,
I must seek out and embrace new, more efficient technologies
And business practices that give me an edge.
I will not only survive, I will succeed.
I will hold my head high, because I am a farmer.

A very fortunate man.