My little farm does not look like it belongs on the cover of a country magazine. My chicken coop is not all fancied up and my barn needs painting. My husband will tell you that I have way more animals than I need, they don’t all have names and they aren’t necessarily the prettiest. Heck, there are even some critters that come just for breakfast before moving on. Keeping animals is not necessarily cheap, although it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and it’s hard work. Things breakdown, there are weeds to contend with, and animals die. So, if farming sounds so gloomy, why do I have animals and what have I learned from them?
A farm of any size, large or small and anywhere in between, will definitely help to teach you the value of hard work. Hard work is a trait that we are not born with, it must be taught and learned. We must be the example for our children and our grandchildren. Hard work instills dignity and self-worth in a person. It helps us learn ways to do things better, ways to achieve our dreams and goals. It gives us a feeling of satisfaction and self-awareness as we learn more about our strengths and weaknesses, our capabilities, what we are made of. Hard work is a value that will follow us all the days of our lives and we will be known for it. It’s the extra effort we put into a project. It’s the research and forethought given to improving a situation. It’s the muscle behind the basic manual labor that will add beauty to our environment or ease someone’s burden. It’s a way of showing our appreciation and love. Hard work will also benefit us physically. The last time I went to the doctor’s office, the nurse asked me if I exercised daily. I told her “of course, I have a farm!” Feeding, watering, shoveling, bending, lifting, stretching, balancing, pushing, pulling….everyday you are required to use just about every muscle group you got! Twice! You can work up an appetite, burn off calories, strengthen muscles, and be ready for a good night’s sleep. Of course, the value of hard work can be learned in many ways, in lots of places, not just on a farm, but a farm does offer the opportunity to work hard!
Working a farm teaches responsibility. We are literally responsible for the lives of the animals in our charge. For the most part, they depend on us to provide them with the majority of their food, their water, housing and protection from elements and predators. Many of my birds are kept in an enclosed environment. They depend on me to feed and water them, provide entertainment (boredom busters), clean up their waste, freshen their bedding and nesting material, and protect them from bugs, mites, skunks and raccoons. I’m also responsible for treating them if they get hurt or fall ill. If I decide to go on a vacation, or even if I just get sick, my animals still depend on me and I am responsible for making arrangements with others to provide the care that I would otherwise offer. You learn to plan ahead, and make alternate provisions. You also learn not to assume and to check in with your surrogate caregivers. It’s even a good idea to have contingency plans…just in case. I always feel relieved when I get home and find everyone lived through my vacation! Being responsible is another characteristic that is learned and highly regarded, not only by your animals, but employers, spouses, friends and neighbors. I read that responsible behavior is made up of honesty, respect, fairness, accountability and courage. Many times acting responsibly in one of the various situations we are confronted with in life is not always easy, especially under peer pressure. When we have an understanding of the consequences that can occur if we neglect our responsibilities, making the hard choices becomes easier.
I don’t know if animals really have an understanding of trust and love, but they seem to offer it. I thoroughly enjoy the fact that my animals appear to be genuinely happy to see me, even if it’s mainly when I have food! I swear they can tell it’s me by the sound of my footsteps! They know the difference between me in their pen and someone else. When it’s me with their food, they are almost underfoot, sometimes even sampling what’s in my container before I have a chance to dish up dinner. They like to hang out with me when I’m working, whether it’s planting a tree or raking up fallen leaves. Sometimes they are more of a hinderance than a help, but maybe that’s where practicing patience comes in. I can fill a wheelbarrow only to have a goat decide that the wheelbarrow is today’s best itching post, and if I’m not careful I’ll soon find my labor all over the ground. My animals seem to instinctively know that I won’t hurt them. Not that they will climb all over me and jump in my lap, but they seem comfortable around me. They appear to trust me.
Working a farm teaches compassion. You learn to treat animals with respect and kindness, whether it’s during routine daily care or when providing preventative care or treating a sick, hurt or dying animal. You learn to talk to them in a comforting and soothing manner. You learn how to handle them in a way that does not inflict unnecessary discomfort or pain. And if it is near the end for an animal, you learn to provide comfort and humane care, even if it breaks your heart.
My animals brighten my day! As I mentioned earlier, they truly seem to know me and appear to be happy to see me. They interact with me and they are a hoot to watch. Some of their antics keep me smiling and chuckling. If I’m upset, I go outside and work with my critters. If I’ve had a difficult day, I go outside and work with my animals. If I have a dilemma to solve and need some time to sort through things, I go outside and oh, work with my animals! I understand why most any animal can be used for and called a therapy animal. I also enjoy just hanging out with them, photographing them, observing them, interacting with them. Each animal is unique and it’s interesting to watch and learn about behaviors. One of my favorites is to give a rooster a treat and watch him call over his special ladies to share. Sometimes it’s a particular lady he’s wooing and if the wrong one comes to his call, he’ll pick up his treat and not share!
Farming has helped to mold me into the person that I am today. I like to think that it also had a hand in teaching my boys the value of hard work, the importance of being responsible, and dependable, and the significance of compassion. Not just on a farm, but in everyday life.