Opinion
The agricultural industry is changing very quickly on many fronts. Whether it is risk management, human resources, or the latest in technology, farming is becoming more complex all of the time. With all the rapid change around us the one thing that seems to be consistent is the role that family plays in making up Canadian farms.
It’s estimated that 98 percent of Canadian farms are family owned, and that is something to sing from the roof tops. But we also know that working with family is not easy.
The family in family business is what can make our farms and ranches so complicated. We have all likely heard of or experienced personally a family farm succession disaster. I know full-well what happens when a family has a different version of the future of a farm. We know that family farm succession consultants are never short of work. But, in the family farm farm business, taking the family out of the farm to avoid struggles would be giving up so much.
Teach them young! #4thgeneration came for a ride today. #familyfarm #plant18 #fromthfield pic.twitter.com/0GHVowdmdR
— Korey Peters (@KoreyPeters) May 7, 2018
The are not many occupations that allow you to work alongside your family day in and day out. Whether it’s your kids, parents, or grandparents, agriculture presents the unique chance to work alongside multiple generations at the same time. Lawyers, accountants, teachers, or police do not get the opportunity to walk side-by-side with their family in their daily lives. In agriculture there is an opportunity to learn from and mentor multiple generations as you put the crop in, vaccinate a new crop of calves or fill the milk tanker for the week.
All of the great pictures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram show so many great examples of true family farming. It’s so great to see the tradition continuing.
Growing up my dad had this saying written on the wall of our farrowing house. “You hope for the best. Expect and plan for the worst. Take what you get, and be thankful you were able to do it.” I’m thankful for the family farm and for agriculture, teaching me about life. pic.twitter.com/WKv1Zg4bg6
— Maggie Larson (@larson_mags) May 8, 2018
Almost 3 months post new born. My beautiful wife @City2FarminIowa is back in the saddle helping with sort loads for market hogs. #FamilyFarm #realpigfarming #FarmLife pic.twitter.com/cVCalQhNy1
— Brandon Bell (@bjbell60) May 7, 2018
Pretty great day today. More soybeans in the ground today. No mosquitos, perfect weather.#mn #daughters #familyfarm #parenting101 pic.twitter.com/4z6W2zUWsJ
— Jamie Beyer (@JamieVBeyer) May 6, 2018
Farming is a lifestyle. It is about family. It is the fabric of life. Dad and daughter time spent together in the cab of the tractor is what memories are made of for both. pic.twitter.com/SNdIacKlCX
— David Hansen (@CANTERRADavid) May 7, 2018
Forty years of Maine farming, father, sons, grandchildren, wife, mother, daughters, barns and house with added rooms, their dream began as single cabin, spring water, trees and rocks cleared, produced open sunlit field…#1linewed pic.twitter.com/vaC2g7kK5O
— ??Fran Hennessey?? (@FranEHennessey) May 2, 2018
When your daughter asks to go farming, you give her the job of ‘official bag holder’. @DKAS_NIL #WomeninAg #MyFarmMyYield #Plant18 pic.twitter.com/qKxH7DzgbN
— Amy Russell (@AmyRussellDKC) April 28, 2018
Mother and daughter sharing the love of land and farming at #GriggsFarm in #Billerica. pic.twitter.com/1TPr0wmAmI
— Mary Elaine Leach (@MaryLeachTweets) April 7, 2018
I’ll leave you with another image from the archives. Our daughter. Not our cow. I love how kids and young livestock are equally inquisitive of each other. Pic: @TheHillsCountry #Kids #Cattle #Livestock #Farming #aweekinyourwellies pic.twitter.com/DADnP0x12E
— Farmers Of The UK (@FarmersOfTheUK) March 21, 2018
Like Father, like Son! Our entire family has always supported our #maple farming dream, and we invite you to join our extended Mazzocato family by coming to visit us, and trying some of our 100% Pure #Mazzocato Maple Syrup. #BuyLocal #CampbellvilleON #PureMapleGoodnesss pic.twitter.com/l3Vh0sWvYo
— Mazzocato Maple Farm (@MazzocatoMaple) April 18, 2018
Making another new plot here at the #farm. Nothing beats a little impromptu #father and #son ground-breaking ceremony 🙂#garlic #fatherandson #family #NoRibbonRequired #organicfarm #organic #certifiedorganic #familyfarm #GrowFoodNotlawns #puremichigan #foodie #food #growfood pic.twitter.com/XZ67cVJCUk
— Guiding Light Garlic (@glgarlicfarm) April 13, 2018
All aboard the dump truck train in the garden! ???? https://t.co/Cf0OBTyY8E pic.twitter.com/lGi39rWatg
— Sarah Schultz (@NurseLovesFarmr) May 4, 2018
We must also make sure that we do not take this special experience for granted. Whether it’s the youngest of farmers or the oldest, we must take farm safety into account. When it involves livestock or operating machinery, it’s important to make sure that another special day on the farm does not turn into a tragic memory.
Even though there are frustrating days working alongside family, the alternative would make agriculture a less attractive life for many of us. Family belongs in agriculture.
Send me your feedback to [email protected]
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