In checking up on my fellow blogging associate Amanda Radke, who blogs for BEEF magazine, I saw she posted a question last week that prompted me to think just a little and laugh a lot.

Here is how she started her BEEF blog: How would you farm differently if a total stranger (non-farmer/rancher) followed you around all day? How would we work differently with a non-farmer following? That question was asked to me by fellow agriculture advocate, Ryan Goodman, who is hoping there will be many of us who provide answers today.

“The goal of this topic idea is to encourage agriculture to evaluate how we would react to visitors, and reflect on knowledge of our daily practices. This is also a great opportunity to share our thoughts with non-farm consumers and open our doors of transparency,” says Goodman.

My answer is simple; I would be talking all day long and it would take me twice as long to get everything done, and I can guarantee you I would miss several steps because of all the questions I would be asking the person who was following me.

My neck would be sore because I would constantly be turning around asking, Why do you want to follow me? Are you looking for something specific? Do you trust me? Am I disappointing you?

Where do you live? How long have you been married? What will you have for dinner tonight? How many kids do you have? Do you drink chocolate milk when you get done exercising? Do you go to church? Do you know Jesus?

And the questions would be nonstop most of the day, until I was totally worn out and they were sick of my interrogation. In fact, they would probably go to town for a lunch break and never come back.

Now, if it were my husband following me around it would be a totally different story. I would do everything just the way he wants it done. It would take me three times as long because I would make sure I had every detail right.

Milking would take a half-hour longer, feeding would be 15 minutes longer, bedding would take an hour longer and putting straw in the gutter before the cows were let in would take me at least six minutes longer. Yes, I would be all about getting it right for the boss.

On the other hand, if they followed my husband around all day long, they would get a step-by-step instruction on why he was doing what he was doing.  They would hear him call his cows by name when they went into the wrong stall; they would watch a man meticulously mix the cow feed and realize this man is not just passionate about producing milk but his passion lies in feeding and taking care of his cows.

They would see him scratch Caroline on the head as hooked her up, they would hear him say, “Hey beautiful,” when Shortcake walked in the barn and they would see a man take great care to pick up his favorite barn cat for her daily dose of required attention.

Although I slip up most days and don’t get it all right, the farmer who produces milk on this farm strives to take the best care of his cows and produce a quality product day after day after day … follower or no follower.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.