As spring planting season is upon us and the hustle and bustle begins, I want to take some time to reflect back on the traditions of our farming community. We all have traditions that we follow. There are a lot of traditions that are passed from one generation to the next that we never really think about. A lot of my family’s tradition have been handed down through agriculture.

Family values are very important when you are working in agriculture. With 87 percent of the farms in the country being family owned and operated, it is easy to see the importance of family values. My parents taught me the importance of family. They taught me that even though we don’t always see eye to eye or agree with everything, we have and always will be a family. I know that without a shadow of doubt, I can count on my family.

This holds true for working in agriculture as well. There has been a lot of conversations that larger operations (even if they are owned and operated by a family) no longer hold these values. That sentiment resounds because if the operation has employees it isn’t a family farm anymore. In my mind, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The employees become an extension and part of the family. Remember: All families come in different shapes and sizes.

Hard work and dedication are the second tradition that my parents passed along to me. Everyone that has ever worked on a farm knows that to succeed you have to be willing and dedicated to hard work. I have spent more than one night awake and waiting for a calf or lamb or piglet to be born, to turn around at sunrise and start the next day’s chores.

Farming is hard work, especially for those that do not have employees to help them. Animals need to be cared for seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Having employees allows farmers to have some family time away from the farm. The thing to remember is that just because a farm has employees doesn’t mean that the owners are absent from the farm.

Respect is the third tradition that my parents instilled in my youth. I was taught from a very young age, to respect and take care of the land and animals that provide the food that we all enjoy. No matter where you get your food from, it came from a farmer.

My family and I own a beef and sheep operation that provides beef and lamb to other families. Every year in the spring, we spent countless hours lambing and calving. We keep a watchful eye on all the lambs and calves to make sure that they are healthy and growing. We show respect all the way through their life.

All farmers rely on the land to provide food for either they own animals to eat or for sell to families around the country and world. Without respect and taking care of the natural resources, farmers would not be able to provide the safe and wholesome foods that we all enjoy.

The last tradition that my parents taught me was to have fun and enjoy life. I am blessed that I can honestly say I love what I do. It never feels like work when I am out with the cows or lambs; even though it is hard work, it my passion. My family and I are one of the small minority (approximately 1 percent of the population) that provide the food, clothing and shelter for others. It is an honest work and one that I truly enjoy.

My hope is that I am passing these traditions on to my own kids in whatever career path they choose. As these traditions are not only related to agriculture but to all. It is amazing when you stop and take the time to talk to others, you will always find common ground.

Amber Hewett is a mother, farmer, blogger and advocate of all agriculture. You can follow Amber at justafarmkid.wordpress.com and agricultureawayoflife.

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