55 Years And Counting From The Tractor Seat By Bill Whitman I often talk about how special being a member of American agriculture is. It’s a truth that we often overlook when we’re neck deep in surviving the problems of the day. One of the unique facets of being an independent farmer or rancher is that we each bring specialized talents to the table. The purpose of this article is to encourage each of us to identify our own specific skills that set us apart from others. We have a couple of friends who amaze me daily as they each approach the day with zest and focus on a list of accomplishments they intend to complete despite their ages nearing the mid 80’s. What I have noticed about each of these men is that they innately make use of skills that they excel in and build their accomplishments from their individual strengths and then manage those jobs that do not play into their talents. For each of us to maximize the accomplishments of each day it is important to determine what we’re good at and then build our support for tasks we need done at the best available and/or most economical costs. One of the friends mentioned above can make the most of limited resources available by his mastery of management. Dick looks at everything on their farm as having value, either today or some day in the future. His management skills extend to the limited labor that is available to him each week. Dick gets more production from various people that are only available one or two days a week than a lot of businesses get out of full-time help. What’s most interesting to me is that the guys that do work for him actually enjoy working for him and don’t look at it as toil as being essential to the success of the farm. In my mind, that’s a talented manager. The other friend mentioned is Frank, who entered farming after decades of working in another industry. The roots established in his childhood continued to grow until he had the opportunity to build a farm from pretty much scratch. Quickly recognizing how much farming had changed, Frank adapted and overcame so many obstacles. His strength is clearly the speed with which he can incorporate change into his goals and never stops pushing until he succeeds. With this attitude it seems to me you will succeed in everything you put your hand to. Every farmer and rancher I know has a special skill that they excel in. I encourage each of us to look at and identify our special skill(s) and develop confidence in those skills and build everything from the core of your strengths. Given the season fast approaching that begins with Thanksgiving, both of these men and every farming family I know will pause, no matter the challenges they may face, to thank the Good Lord for all that they have and the knowledge that He will be with them and their families every step of the way into and through the future. That’s something that nearly every family I know engaged in a agriculture enterprise holds on to, a faith in a God who has seen them through so many crises over the years, enabling to continue to preserve their families and legacies, generation after generation. We do sincerely want the best for you and your family throughout the Holiday Season! IndianaAg@bluemarble.net |
