Caring for Calves and Kids

While we all wish we were 100% confident in our bodies, I’m sure most of us women will still stand in front of a mirror pointing out little things to ourselves that we wish was different. I’ve come to notice this is especially true with parts of my body that highlight me as a farmer and not a runway model. But what if we didn’t look at these spots on our body as negative things. What if we could think of them in a new light –  one that helps us realize how much good we do in this world.

Here are my top 5 things that I (and probably most farm women) truly “hate” about their bodies:

1. My Calloused Hands

Gosh there are so many times I look at my hands and wish that they weren’t dry, cracked and calloused. I know I can really never do my nails or get a manicure because it wouldn’t look right on hands that have been destined for hard work. And, it wouldn’t last long either on the farm.

But as I thought about it more – think of how much hard work those hands have seen. How many baby calves have your nursed back to health? Brought into this world? How many animals have you fed with those carrying 5-gallon buckets of grain? How many acres have you planted? Weeds have you pulled in your garden? Those hands, while dirty and cracked have provided many meals for your family and your livelihood, help when it’s needed and pushed through the toughest of situations.

2. My Thick Thighs

Especially on those hot summer days where they rub together, I sure wish my thighs were much skinnier and farther apart. It would also make my layering a bit easier to walk around in in the wintertime. But the other night I was feeding a newborn calf. You know where you were teaching it to drink and had to use your legs – that situation. Man was I sure glad my thick, strong thighs were there to help me! Or when you have to lift hay bales, tend to our gardens, hold all the things on your lap during a herd check. Those are the times I’m super thankful for my thighs just the way they are. It’s amazing how much strength they give me to do the tasks on the farm.

3. My Big Booty

I do have some farm women friends who wished they had a booty like mine, but let me tell you mine makes it hard to walk through those gate pass through or sneak past the headlocks from time to time 😉 But when I fall out of the tractor because I missed a step or need to stop and take a rest on a 5 gallon bucket with no lid I’m super thankful for that extra junk in my trunk. It even comes in handy if I need a little extra shove to get a stuck gate open. Yep, I think I’ll definitely keep it!

4. My Never Gonna Model Feet

Just like I say I can never get a manicure, same goes for a pedicure. Wearing boots on the farm all the time tends to wear them down quickly and ensures your toe nails never get too long. Spending long hours on your feet all day as well leaves feet callused and dry. But think of how many steps you’ve taken to keep a baby animal alive. How many steps have you taken to ensure a momma cow gets to the sick pen so she can be taken care of? How many steps have you taken in the kitchen to prepare meals for those working on your farm? For your family? How many steps have you taken chasing your kids around the farm so they can enjoy the lifestyle? We as farm women tend to be on our feet a lot doing some of the most important jobs on the farm, even though sometimes it may not seem like that, I promise they are.

5. My Big Heart

So many times my big, caring heart gets me into trouble. Would I change it definitely not, but when you cry for hours because you couldn’t save that baby calf that was born in a snow storm it’s tough. When you watch your favorite animal that you’ve poured your heart out too because you felt like they were the only ones who would listen without judgement – that’s tough. Your heart truly breaks each time something happens to an animal. It’s in our nature to care for them, sometimes over our families. Or what about when a giant storm rolls through right before you’re going to harvest your crop and lays it all flat or drowns it a few weeks after planting. Those sights are hard on a passionate heart like mine and like most farm women. It’s honestly, what makes us great at our job on the farm though (and other off-farm jobs too).

Hard work and passion are what make farm women great. There can be many signs of it on our body, that we may not always like, but if we flip it around to showcase our amazing talents and reminders of why we do what we do, it can make our day even more meaningful.