Being a farmer offers many unique opportunities that do not come with most professions. You are able to be your own boss (kind of), set your own schedule (along with mother nature), and usually be able to work with your family. In our case I get to work every day with my family. Very few people ever get the chance to experience the relationship that develops between a father and son when they work together especially on the farm. When I was little all I wanted to do was "go with dad" wherever he went. My dad spent years not only teaching me how to farm, but how to be active in the community, successful in the business, and how to treat other people. All of these lessons I use everyday in life and on the farm. Now we are at a point in our lives where I am able to take those lessons along with the new ones and pass them on to my kids, and by being on the farm it means that Grandpa is also around every day to help do the same thing just like it was in the previous generations.
However, being a farm dad also means we have to make some tough decisions sometimes. While we all know that the family comes first that is not always the case. While I make it a priority to try not to miss anything my kids do at school or in sports there are times when the farming takes a little longer or there is too much to do before the next rain and it leaves dad feeling pretty torn up sitting on the tractor or combine thinking about what he is missing. These moments are few and far between and are all worth it when my kids come out to spend their days in the field, riding in the combine, planter, etc. and just wanting to "go with dad".
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