A Tribute to the American Farmer

Tucked away in a collection of newspaper clippings and personal memorabilia of my mother-in law's personal keepsakes was this poem about the American farmer. We celebrate the bounty of food in America because of the farmers across our nation. I do not know who wrote this piece but I do know it was clipped from some type of farm magazine. I am sharing this today as a tribute to all farmers and farm families that are working so hard everyday and embracing the challenges to provide food,fiber, and fuel for our citizens.

A Tribute to the American Farmer

I am only a farmer. I know the sun better than anyone. And the soil. And the wind. And the rain. I am the man who works with them. Who lives with them. Who loves them. And who sometimes fears them.

I am only a farmer. I am the sower of seeds. I am the tender of stock. I am the reaper of harvest. I am sweat. And tears. And pride.

I am only a farmer. I am the man the feeds the young. And the old. The weak. And the strong. I am the black earth of Spring. The green hills of Summer. The harvest gold of Autumn. And the cold white stillness of winter.

I am only a farmer. I am warm memories of the past. The steely reality of the present. And a hopeful dream of the future. I am an optimist. A thinker. A watcher. And a doer.

I am only a farmer. I live in a complex world. Made of simple things. And they are my source of joy. And hope. And comfort. I have walked the morning fogs. I have paused for the Summer song of the meadowlark. And I have savored the breeze off freshly cut hay. I have paused, remembering, by the stream I knew as a boy. I have felt the power of a thousand storms. And rejoiced in the fresh world left in their wake.

I am only a farmer. I am an accountant. Chemist. And doctor. I am midwife.And mechanic. I am seller. Trader. And buyer. I am husband. Helper. And partner to my wife. I am father. Friend. Comforter. And teacher to my children.

I am only a farmer. Not a man of riches. But a man of great wealth. I have learned to treasure life. And all things living. To respect their maker. And my own. I am humbled by the earth's bounty. And awed by endless rebirth. I am facinated by the marvelous intricacies of my world. And enriched by their beauty.

I am only a farmer. If a man can be truly free, then I truly am. The day. The week. The month. They have been entrusted to me. They are mine to spend. They are mine to invest. They are mine to use wisely. It is a solitary profession I have chosen. Or,perhaps, that I have been chosen for. A profession where there are no certainties. Where no guarantees are granted. No promises granted. No promises given. No excuses taken. I have but one man to answer to. One man to depend upon. One man to confide in. And in the quiet of the years,I have come to know him well.

I am only a farmer. In perserverance and creativity. And courage.

I am only a farmer. I am confidence. And ingenuity. And intelligence.

I am only a farmer. A seeker of excellence...And I will endure.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Last week I was presented with my very own milk can as a remembrance for serving the past two years as Arkansas Farm Bureau Women's Committee Chairwoman. I am thankful for all the Farm Bureau Women that I not only call my friends but for the fact that we share our passion for agriculture through promotion and education in our communities across Arkansas!

National Agriculture Day

Dairy farm families across America are working every day to provide safe,high quality milk and dairy products. National Agriculture Day is a great opportunity to celebrate that fact and point out that while producing a great product, we are also caring for our land and animals.

You might find these dairy facts of interest:

• According to USDA, 98 percent of all U.S. dairy farms are family owned and operated


• More milk is produced today with only 9 million cows than with 26 million cows in 1944


• Dairy is the No. 1 agricultural business in California,Idaho,Maine,Michigan,New Mexico,New York,Pennsylvania,Vermont and Wisconsin

While American farmers are providing the safest,most affordable and available food, we are also providing jobs and economic support for our local communities. In a recent article about American agriculture, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack stated,"Every one billion dollars in agriculture exports supports 8,000 American jobs, which means agricultural exports supported nearly one million jobs in 2010."

Food security is important to all American families. With only two percent of our population providing food,fiber and fuel for all Americans, National Agriculture Day is a great opportunity to not only celebrate agriculture but share information about how we continue to provide for all consumers.

Happy Ag Day!

Dairy Cows and Clocks

Farmers love daylight savings time! It means more daylight hours to work at the many tasks on the farm and begin work in the fields planting the crops that we raise to feed our dairy cows. Turning the clocks back is the easy part of this change to daylight savings time on the farm. Dairy cows are creatures of habit and even though they don't wear watches or look at clocks to know what time it is, they know when it is time to come to the milk barn to be milked. The day before we change our clocks, we talk to all of our employees about how we will gradually change the milking time for the cows. Changes in our milk schedule will often change the cow's milk production. We know this from when we have the unexpected breakdown of equipment or loss of power in the milk barn. Milking too early or too late not only affects production but can also have an impact on cow comfort. The cows look forward to coming to the barn to be milked! Yesterday, the first day of daylight savings time,we started each milking at 8a.m. and 8p.m. , which is thirty minutes later than our regular milking time. Today we started milking at 7:30. We have found after many years of the time change that this gradual change in schedule works well with the cows' clock. The cows adjust much better than I do to this change. In about thirty days, I will quit whining and complaining about getting up in the dark and I will enjoy the warm spring days as I work outside. Thank goodness the cows' clock adjusts quicker than mine!

National Nutrition Month

March is designated as National Nutrition Month. It's a great time to focus on eating a wide variety of colorful,nutrient rich foods, eating a hearty breakfast and take every opportunity to be more active outside. If you're like me and struggle with eating breakfast, here are some breakfast ideas you may want to try for your family or yourself:

• Get Moo-ving: Make a protein-packed breakfast shake by blending low-fat chocolate milk, a tablespoon of peanut butter,half a banana and some ice cubes. Or, make a smoothie with low fat yogurt, your favorite fresh or frozen fruit and a few ice cubes. Mix in a blender.


• Benedict Bagel: Layer a slice of ham,Swiss cheese and a poached egg on a toasted whole-wheat bagel for a protein packed breakfast.


• Breakfast Split: Skewer a medium banana, roll in your favorite flavored yogurt and then in whole grain cereal for a creamy,crunchy start to the day.

You can find more recipes and great information at http://www.dairymakessense.com/. Do you have a favorite breakfast to entice a non-breakfast lover? I'd love to hear from you!

Hope you have a dairy good day!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Yesterday these two boys were the young adult men in charge of our farm. I am thankful for being the mother of these two fourth generation dairy farmers!

Hearing Health

Agricultural Safety Awareness Week March 6-12 is a great time to share information about noise induced hearing loss. After reading information about noise induced hearing loss, I don't think I can accuse my husband of having selective hearing any more! After years of exposure to the noise of tractors and farm machinery, I'm sure he does suffer from noise induced hearing loss. According to the University of Arkansas AgrAbility program(http://www.uaex.edu), here are some facts about noise induced hearing loss:

• it can affect anyone that is exposed to hazardous noise at work


• 33% of all people who are exposed to hazardous noise at work will develop hearing loss


• agriculture is one of the highest risk professions


• noise induced hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities for Arkansas farmers

Noise induced hearing loss can be developed gradually as a result of chronic exposure or can develop suddenly as a result of a single impulsive noise exposure. While normal conversation is measured at 60 decibels, 85 decibels or higher is considered too loud. Hearing protection is recommended in the workplace if noise is at 85 decibels for exposures longer than eight continuous hours. Both the amount of noise and the length of exposure contribute to hearing damage. There are many styles of hearing protectors available but the best one to use is the one you actually wear! I hope you will find this information worth sharing with your family or co-worker because noise induced hearing is painless,progressive and permanent but it is preventable!