IT TAKES A FARM

         

Grandkids at ranch, learning to rope.

          We’ve all heard the statement “it takes a village to raise a child”. I once attended a meeting where a young man received an award. The person presenting the award asked all those related to the young man to stand and remain standing. Then he asked anyone that had been a teacher in any form for this young man to stand and remain standing. Last he asked everyone who knew the young man to stand. The entire audience had stood by that time. The speaker then pointed out that we all have an influence, whether good or bad, on those around us. I think of  life on the farm/ranch and how it affects children raised there is similar to this. For example:

• ·         The farm/ranch offers the opportunity to learn about life from conception to birth to death. Animals become such a part of the life on the farm, that we don’t often see the lessons they teach us. The motherly instincts kick in at the birth of her newborn. She becomes protective if anything comes within range of her baby that might harm it. She gently nudges it to eat and to go out on its own with the other newborns. She is forever watching and listening. If her baby is sick or dies, she mourns – loud. As her baby gets older, she encourages its independence. Still being protective and watching, she lets it wander further away from her, finding its way in life.
• ·         Owners and their children become attached to their animals. We learn on the farm that animals are animals. Whether it is a horse, a dog, a calf, a cat, a bird, a turtle, or any other animal, they must be taken care of. They are to be fed and watered and medicated and loved. And they die whether from an accident, a disease or old age. That teaches a child about responsibility and about death. On the farm/ranch we learn that sickness and death is unavoidable. We learn that there are joys and sadness, and, so we learn to deal with it.
• ·         The seasons of the year become our friends as we learn from them. Right now, winter, when it is cold and snow covers the ground, we learn the importance of the ground resting and replenishing its water supply. We learn the importance of patience and rest for our own bodies to replenish its strength for when the days are longer and the work harder.
• ·         Spring brings the promise of new life not only for animals but within the soil. It is the time for preparing the soil and sowing the seeds. It’s the time for mending fences in preparation for moving cattle. We realize that mending fences is also important in our association with others
• ·         Summers are busy with irrigating, weeding, mowing lawns, and working to make things beautiful and create a crop. We learn hard work, getting up early in the morning and working until late at night, setting priorities over activities away from the farm versus responsibilities on the farm.
• ·         Fall brings harvest and the results of the spring and summer work. Sometimes it is a disaster because of weather or disease, other times it is like hitting the jackpot with beautiful crops, cows and calves that have had enough to eat and drink and thus look good. It is a time for being thankful for blessings, for storing food for animals and humans. For taking stock and looking forward to another year.

Yes, the farm/ranch life is about setting goals and working toward fulfilling them. It’s about budgeting, or at least knowing what money you have to work with to pay bills and wages to workers. It’s about using time wisely knowing there is only so much time to get the spring crop in, only so much time to harvest, only so much time in a day. It’s about treating animals kindly, watching for problems before they become too big to handle. It’s about helping neighbors when they need help and accepting help from neighbors when necessary. It’s about watching the sun rise and appreciating the beauty of it. It’s about watching the sunset and, though worn out from physical labor, appreciating that beauty. It’s about treating everyone as you want to be treated.

These are just some of the things the farm/ranch can teach a child. These things can be learned away from the farm, but it seems to come more natural on the farm. At least they did for this farm girl.