Reflect, Refine, and Refresh for a Long Farming Career

I don’t know about you, but, like most of my farmer friends, I’m looking forward to a winter break where production naturally slows or stops and the constant farm workload is reduced. As farmers, we juggle so much. There typically isn’t any time or energy left for thinking about how we could have done better until winter provides us the opportunity. One thing I love about farming is that every year there is an opportunity to make changes and redesign my business. Not many other professions allow for such creativity and challenge.

 

At the end of the season, I reflect on how I feel about farming after nine months of working hard, both mentally and physically. This includes reflecting on whether I’m still passionate about my work as a farmer, as well as looking at my life outside the farm.

 

 

As a farm owner, I have the privilege of being able to make adjustments to my farm as both my business and I grow and evolve. I’ve noticed over the years that my farming interests and passions change. I’ve also found that as I get older, heavy lifting takes a greater toll on my body. What was sustainable in my twenties may not be as doable in my forties. 

 

Here are some of the questions I ask myself related to workload sustainability.

 

A couple of years ago, after some hip issues related to regularly lifting 50 pounds or more, I decided to stop going to every market and hired additional competent market workers to take my place. Now, I show up at markets separately when we have new crops that require a reset of the produce display or when extra help is needed. I've removed myself from most of the unload activities and instead spend time setting up the produce and fine-tuning my stand’s marketing. This gives me a chance to show my workers some good display ideas, go over pricing, and connect with customers. 

 

Removing myself from the weekly market circuit does affect the bottom line because more income is generated when the farmer is present at the market. However, the benefits are that staff take more ownership and I can spend weekends with my family.

 

 

Creating boundaries between work and personal life is very important if you want to be in this business for the long haul. This can be challenging for farmers because there are always potential improvements and the to-do list keeps growing, especially if you live on the farm. However, without boundaries and time apart from the farm it is easy to get burned out.

 

Here are some questions I ask myself that you can consider asking yourself too.

 

Addressing these questions is key to sustaining yourself as a farmer. To continue enjoying your work and keep the passion alive, it is important to take a closer look and ask yourself these questions on a seasonal basis. Doing so will improve your business and your motivation to continue the hard work of growing a farming business.

 

In my next blog I’ll walk you through a brainstorming process I use to take a bird’s eye view of my farming operation to analyze how I can improve my operation, address workload challenges, and create more balance in my farming life. 

 

Keep following as we spend January fine-tuning for success!