Thanksgiving is a time for people to reflect on what they are truly thankful for in life. For those who grew up in the agriculture industry, such as myself, we have a list too that stretches far beyond the traditional family, friends, faith etc. Some of these things we may not be thankful for at the time, but as we grow older we realize we had some unique gifts in life that had a large impact on shaping our character. This is my list of what I am thankful for and I'm sure may others can relate.
-I'm thankful for all the hours I spent shoveling/spreading manure- I hated this job growing up. Not only did you stink and get filthy, but it never seemed to end. Animals deficate everyday, so everyday there is manure to clean up. My father was also too cheap to buy a manure spreader so I got to spread it all by hand in the hay fields. While it sucked at the time, this chore made me a more humbled person and unauthorized my work ethic to be too proud for any task, no matter how unpleasant it may be.
-I'm thankful for every time I was bucked off- Landing on my butt and back were some of the most frustrating and humiliating moments I encountered while showing horses. I was sore. I was dirty. I was flat out pissed and ready to quit. However, this bump taught me that sometimes in life you will fall flat on your face and it will be unexpected. What is most important is that you channel that frustration and humility into getting back on the saddle and trying again.
-I'm thankful for the hot days spent throwing bales- When your dad owns a custom baling business, hay will get up while the sun shines, even if there are no hired hands available. This meant I was on the rack throwing bales, even when it was 90 degrees out. It wasn't an easy job by any means and my arms always ended up scratched and sun burned. Even though this wasn't my ideal way to spend a summer afternoon, it did teach me diligence and how to prioritize tasks, because some things just have to get done before it rains.
-I'm thankful for the hardships- Life is not all kittens and butterflies and no industry understands that more than the agriculture industry. There are things that happen that you can't avoid, whether it be a drought or flood or a crash in the markets. What is important is that you keep fighting through. Perseverance is key in any bad time life may throw at you. The hardships also gave me a better appreciation for the good times and the simpler things in life.
-I'm thankful for the animals getting out- Pigs, horses, sheep, and cattle are extremely notorious for finding every loop hole in any fence or pen. They particularly like to plan their escapes at about 2 am in the morning or right when school is starting. You can't just leave them out. You have to be quick to problem solve and patient enough to corral the animals back into their proper area. Actually, patience is hands down the biggest life lesson I took away from growing up with livestock, and it is a skill I am very thankful I possess.
-I'm thankful for the fights with my parents- They may have seemed strict and unfair at times, but they didn't sugar coat life and wasn't afraid to push me to my full potential. Yes, it did seem like I was doing all their busy work around the farm, but it honestly made a difference to the family business and to my character. They instilled responsibility, integrity, and a strong work ethic, and I know I wouldn't have appreciated those values as much if my parents hadn't instilled them onto me every day of my life.
-I'm thankful for the harvest- I'm not just talking grain harvest, I'm talking about livestock harvest too. Not only did it put food on my plate, but on the plates of billions of other people in the world too. As a consumer, I appreciate all the hard work and safety that goes into ensuring my food is wholesome and delicious. As someone involved in agriculture, I appreciate having the opportunity to fill someone's belly. Not too many occupations can have that satisfaction of making a difference in the world, and that sort of feeling is something I wouldn't trade for any million dollar salary.
Maybe your list is a little different, but maybe it's not. What is important is that no matter what is on your thankful list, you should be thankful for it each and every day, not just the fourthThursday of November. Thank-you to all the men and women who will spend this holiday feeding others first before they sit down to a meal with their families. We could not celebrate Thanksgiving properly if it wasn't for the fruits of your labor.
-I'm thankful for all the hours I spent shoveling/spreading manure- I hated this job growing up. Not only did you stink and get filthy, but it never seemed to end. Animals deficate everyday, so everyday there is manure to clean up. My father was also too cheap to buy a manure spreader so I got to spread it all by hand in the hay fields. While it sucked at the time, this chore made me a more humbled person and unauthorized my work ethic to be too proud for any task, no matter how unpleasant it may be.
-I'm thankful for every time I was bucked off- Landing on my butt and back were some of the most frustrating and humiliating moments I encountered while showing horses. I was sore. I was dirty. I was flat out pissed and ready to quit. However, this bump taught me that sometimes in life you will fall flat on your face and it will be unexpected. What is most important is that you channel that frustration and humility into getting back on the saddle and trying again.
-I'm thankful for the hot days spent throwing bales- When your dad owns a custom baling business, hay will get up while the sun shines, even if there are no hired hands available. This meant I was on the rack throwing bales, even when it was 90 degrees out. It wasn't an easy job by any means and my arms always ended up scratched and sun burned. Even though this wasn't my ideal way to spend a summer afternoon, it did teach me diligence and how to prioritize tasks, because some things just have to get done before it rains.
-I'm thankful for the hardships- Life is not all kittens and butterflies and no industry understands that more than the agriculture industry. There are things that happen that you can't avoid, whether it be a drought or flood or a crash in the markets. What is important is that you keep fighting through. Perseverance is key in any bad time life may throw at you. The hardships also gave me a better appreciation for the good times and the simpler things in life.
-I'm thankful for the animals getting out- Pigs, horses, sheep, and cattle are extremely notorious for finding every loop hole in any fence or pen. They particularly like to plan their escapes at about 2 am in the morning or right when school is starting. You can't just leave them out. You have to be quick to problem solve and patient enough to corral the animals back into their proper area. Actually, patience is hands down the biggest life lesson I took away from growing up with livestock, and it is a skill I am very thankful I possess.
-I'm thankful for the fights with my parents- They may have seemed strict and unfair at times, but they didn't sugar coat life and wasn't afraid to push me to my full potential. Yes, it did seem like I was doing all their busy work around the farm, but it honestly made a difference to the family business and to my character. They instilled responsibility, integrity, and a strong work ethic, and I know I wouldn't have appreciated those values as much if my parents hadn't instilled them onto me every day of my life.
-I'm thankful for the harvest- I'm not just talking grain harvest, I'm talking about livestock harvest too. Not only did it put food on my plate, but on the plates of billions of other people in the world too. As a consumer, I appreciate all the hard work and safety that goes into ensuring my food is wholesome and delicious. As someone involved in agriculture, I appreciate having the opportunity to fill someone's belly. Not too many occupations can have that satisfaction of making a difference in the world, and that sort of feeling is something I wouldn't trade for any million dollar salary.
Maybe your list is a little different, but maybe it's not. What is important is that no matter what is on your thankful list, you should be thankful for it each and every day, not just the fourthThursday of November. Thank-you to all the men and women who will spend this holiday feeding others first before they sit down to a meal with their families. We could not celebrate Thanksgiving properly if it wasn't for the fruits of your labor.