55 Years And Counting From The Tractor Seat

 By bill whitman

 In 1981, a family I know began a journey that few would have been brave enough to undertake. They started, from scratch, to become self-sufficient farmers. Some 43 years later, they have survived good times and bad, prosperity and loss, and so many other ups and downs, yet they stand successful. Today, they want to share what they’ve learned with others. 

The early 1980s was a turbulent time in agriculture. Family farms and ranches were failing right and left, those surviving farmers and ranchers were trying to recover from the failure of pyramiding of land values, and the residual high interest rates. Rather than using all the negatives as an excuse to not start farming, this couple were not to be deterred from their dream, the farm that they would grow into a viable cattle operation, that they can live on, and the production of other saleable livestock and forage as they were willing to exchange hard work for dollars they didn’t have. 

They spent years doing everything they could to manage their cash flow so that it could be reinvested into their dream. As many farm and ranch wives do, she has meticulous records from day one. They have an intricate knowledge of every square foot of their several hundred acres. Though not new or flashy, they have used everything they have to be less dependent on spending and more time invested in preserving. 

As a couple, they have taken this one step further by impacting the lives of young folks who have worked with them over the years. Two young men come to mind right off the bat to me. These young men are using the skills and work ethic instilled in them to become successful and contributing members of society. From running heavy equipment to caring for livestock, to just working with a purpose until the job is done exemplifies what these two were taught over the years. Despite having successful off-farm careers and families of their own, both men come back to help every chance they get. 

What’s important is the future and how they want to show people that folks can live much more comfortably without the debt and toys, eating fresh food from a self-produced larder, and enjoying the feeling of having accomplished something… every day. A lifestyle that assures us of tomorrow and is not dependent on this week’s check to pay last week’s bills. What they want to do is show people how they can eat well, live much more stress-free, and give back to the environment instead of the current trend of taking, taking, taking. 

Over the past several years, they have talked to numerous organizations and universities in hopes of finding a fit where the entity recognizes their contribution and desires with an eye on building on the concept of living a purer and more self-sufficient lifestyle. What they have encountered is organizations wanting them to donate their farm so that they can either sell the property for something more in keeping with their current programs or simply transition the farm into a money-making property by today’s standards. This couple want to preserve a simpler way of life that provides better long-term benefits in every area of our lives. Raising cattle, sheep, chicken, donkeys, the occasional hog, gardening, managing five springs, and timber along with a sawmill, these folks do it all. I wouldn’t be forgiven if I didn’t also mention horses and his unique ability to train the finest trail horse in the state. 

When I was a young man, by having a diversified farm, you could have a successful business, year after year. I still think it can be done and this couple have proven it can be done. The cost is having to live on what you earn, growing what you need, and using every available resource that the land gives you. 

If you have an interest in learning from these two special folks, feel free to reach out to me by email. 

IndianaAg@Bluemarble.net