Farming - Lifestyle vs Business

If you asked 1,000 random people from across the country to describe farming I think you'd probably get 1,000 different answers.  Many people would focus on the nostalgic lifestyle of farming - wide open spaces, taking care of the land and animals, and the simple life.  While others might think about big business or big ag, Monsanto and "the almighty dollar".  

When I'm asked why I farm, I start by talking about the lifestyle.  It is how My Farmer and I want to raise our children and it's the way we've always wanted to live.  Farming is in our blood and we are proud to carry on the tradition.  I love being surrounded by fields and the privacy that farming gives us.  At the same time though, I have got to think of farming as a business.  After-all, this is the sole way our family makes a living.  And just like everyone else out there, I want to do the best I can at my business so I can provide for my family.  I want our farm to be successful, so we can live the life we want.

So why can't farming be both about business and lifestyle?  It is a balancing-act I feel to have the lifestyle I want for myself and my family, while still taking on risk and enough work and effort to make our business viable.  Harvest is a busy time for my family.  I feel like we spend a lot of time concentrating on the business but I am thankful that my whole family, three generations to be exact, get to be apart of that business which helps all remember about the lifestyle benefits of doing what we love, farming.

What do you first think of when you think of farming?  Lifestyle or business?  Remember to Comment for a Cause!

(This post is a part of a 31 Days from a Tractor Seat series.  The best way to keep up with this series is to follow via email on the right sidebar of this post or by following on Bloglovin.  Also be sure to like the Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids Facebook page for daily updates from the field.)