April 15, 2015 | Pat Beaujot

I love the passion farmers have for their work!

I love the passion farmers have for their work!

I have just recently returned from a trip to Texas where we rented about 300 acres of beautiful farmland from a local farmer near San Antonio. We did this to test our new precision metering system and iCon wireless control system. We invited our customers who had purchased the new system for spring seeding to join us in the field. It gave them a chance to ride in the tractor and learn from our service staff how to operate the controls ahead of time. We hope this makes for a smooth seeding season!

The best part for me was standing around with the farmers from the Canadian prairies and Northern U.S. and the local Texas farmer and hearing the discussions about farm size, farming practices, crop rotation, etc. The pride each of them took in talking about their own operation and the genuine interest they had in one another’s comments and operations is always great to hear. The passion farmers have about what they do and the eagerness they have to learn from one another is such a stimulating experience to be a part of.

There are even challenges farming in Texas where the sunshine is unlimited, and irrigation is available. Believe it or not the day we were there they had a frost warning for the next two nights. Mark’s neighbor had a huge field of cabbage ready for harvest. The crew was picking by hand as fast as they could it looked like an overwhelming task.

I have been very fortunate to be able to travel to many parts of the world and visit farmers ,Ukraine, France, Spain, and the UK to name a few. The same thing happens wherever you go. The other common thing is the amazing hospitality farmers display. In Texas Mark Landry and his wife Becky put on a Texas Barbeque lunch with homemade potato salad and all the fixings. It had us all loosening our belts.

Farming anywhere in the world is one of the most challenging and one of the most rewarding ways to make a living. There are so many things out of your control you have to have the patience to put up with bad weather, bad markets, bad breaks, and all without losing your cool. You have to continuously learn about new crops, new pesticides, new crop rotations, new fertilizer practices, new equipment. You have to be a skilled negotiator for both buying and selling. You need a business mind and a mechanical mind. You have to take risk, but be prepared for the worst at all times.

This experience reminds me of a plaque I keep in my office: “A Farmer’s Creed” Author Unknown – I believe a person’s greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person’s character.

I believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a person can spend his days on this earth. I believe that many of the best things in life are indeed free; the splendor of a sunrise, the beauty of a sunset, the rapture of wide open spaces, the exhilarating sight of crops greening each spring, and your crops ripening in the fall. I believe when a person grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he’s lived. I believe in farming because it makes all this possible.

This experience in Texas reminds me of the privilege I have had to have farmed for 22 years and to be a part of such an honorable industry. Good luck to all farmers new and old this season, be it seeding, harvest or in between. We at NOTILLville appreciate you and the work you do. Tweet your comments to @NOTILLville or @PatrickBeaujot