Caring for Calves and Kids

 When I say “The one percent” your mind likely goes to money, power, riches, mansions, pools, yachts and all things that billionaires have. And you wouldn’t be wrong, but I’m here to change your perception when people say the 1%.

Farmers make up less than 2% of the population in the United States aka 1% and some making farmers the one percent. Now let that sink in. It’s probably not the picture in your head when we say it and it’s likely hard to even imagine yourself as the one percent as a farmer. But you have all the qualities of the 1% that was in your mind.

• Money – While farming isn’t the most lucrative business in the world, we have one of the richest lifestyles in the world. We see life, death, the payoff of our hard work, beautiful scenery and a family lifestyle many don’t get to live anymore.
• Power – How many people can say they have the power to run their own business? That they have done what their ancestors have. As farmers we have the power to be a part of the land, part of animal life, part of feeding the rest of the world.
• Pools – Okay so we likely don’t have pools on the farm, but ponds can be even better! I can recall many days spent at our pond fishing, having picnics and just relaxing with our friends and family. I’d even say the scenery is prettier than a pool too. Or we have creative pools like cattle tanks and that creates great stories in themselves.
• Mansions – It might not be our dream home or one you see on HGTV, but we farmer wives know how to make a house a home. We make meals that can feed an army with the food we have grown ourselves and recipes that have been passed down for generation. It’s where family and friends never go hungry and always have a place to rest their head.
• Yachts – Boats don’t tend to work well on the farm, but we have a lot of machinery that bring stars to others’ eyes. We get the chance to drive tractors, work up the fields, bring in the harvest with a combine – activities only the 1% get to do.

So now how do you feel about the 1%? It’s an opportunity more than 98% of people don’t get a chance to do. We get the chance to be a part of the land, breath in fresh air, get our hands dirty and live the country life many only read about. We truly are blessed as farmers and farm families to be in the 1%.