55 Years And Counting From The Tractor Seat

By bill whitman 

 I don’t believe there is any segment of the American culture that better exemplifies family values more than on our farms and ranches. God, family, and country are the cornerstones of American agriculture. And wherever we look, we see the influence of these values in our youth. 

The FFA National Convention is held in Indianapolis. I have family who work in downtown Indy and each year they comment on the “invasion” of blue and gold jackets worn by the most well-mannered young men and women they’ve ever had the good fortune to interact with. 

Is it the FFA who is responsible for these young folks’ character and behavior? The FFA is foundational in teaching and the building of character in our children, but the boys and girls that make their way into the FFA Chapters have already had established within them a level of integrity and morality that is glaring in its absence in urban America. 

While I admit that the assault on family values has had an impact on the farm and ranch family, the basic characteristics of duty, honor, and family are still inculcated within each generation. The “duty” which translates to responsibility is taught from the first thoughts of a child. Fathers and mothers working long hours when needed even if there are things they would rather be doing demonstrates a characteristic to be recognized. “Honor” is found in fulfilling responsibilities entrusted to children on the farm or ranch knowing that others know that they can expect the kids best efforts. And “family” is the bulwark or backbone of what’s most important in the mindset of the “why” we do what we do. 

In our area, we have seen an influx of city families moving to the country in an effort to grab on to a lifestyle that their kids will benefit from. I listen to it over and over. Unfortunately, I have also watched as these families return to the city primarily because the parents are not ready to embrace the work it takes to maintain property in the country along with being further from the conveniences they have become accustomed to. If mom and dad can’t accept the work responsibilities, how can they expect their children too? 

In the country we depend on our children doing their chores or the work assigned, or the family suffers. Livestock goes unwatered or unfed and that results in losses on payday, or field work not completed or not done properly which results in lost yields which also affects payday. As I recall, as a 7–8-year-old, one of the first jobs I got was greasing equipment. We all know what happens when grease fittings are neglected and what it costs when equipment fails. 

And finally, our young people become responsible citizens. In FFA they are involved in debate teams and parliamentary procedure competitions which lead these same young people into participating as citizens as they move into adulthood. I would argue that they enter adulthood far better prepared to contribute to society than even college students and graduates. 

When we add all of this together, we find that rural America remains the bedrock of family values. These kids learn a work ethic and sense of responsibility that is missing in the city. So when put in a position to defend why we choose family values, turn first to the children that come from our families.  

IndianaAg@bluemarble.net