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I was doing chores last night, enjoying my favorite time of day in the barn in the summer. It's when the sun starts to go down over the trees, turning my side of the freestall barn a gorgeous, glowing orange color. The barn was quiet; only the gentle creak of cows entering the headlocks to eat could be heard. It is always in this calm evening time that I feel the most relaxed, having accomplished most everything on my to-do list for the day, and I have some time to ponder. My pondering about June Dairy Month last night reminded me of a poem I had written years ago when the same feelings of pride in our industry hit me on a summer night in the barn.

I'm lucky to be a farmer-
And do the things I love,
No two days are the same
That's what makes it all worthwhile.

I'm proud to be a farmer-
To produce such a food
That is needed the world over
And appreciated by so few.

I'm blessed to be a farmer-
To work this wondrous land,
To breathe the soil of spring-
A privilege so little have.

I'm rare to be a farmer-
In today's day and age
When everyone moves so fast
They forget the simple things.

I'm overjoyed to be a farmer-
To bring a calf into the world,
Marvel at the kittens growing,
Watch a doe in the field.

I'm working to be a farmer-
To learn all that I can
To teach youngsters here and there,
That it is worth all the time.

Even though I wrote this nearly seven years ago, I very much still feel the same way. I'm a pretty nostalgic person, as you probably know by now, and when I try to explain how lucky I feel to be a farmer, it can be an emotional conversation. I'm very fortunate that I get to do what makes me happy, bring my children with me, be outside, and watch things grow on a daily basis. To me there is nothing more fulfilling than watching my children learn how to take care of animals, and play an active role on our farm, to watch something grow that I planted and nurtured, or see a calf up and running after a difficult delivery. Because I know that most farmers feel the same way about these things on many levels I wrote this poem for them.
So, to all the farmers out there: You are appreciated not only during June Dairy Month, but all year through. Despite the depressingly wet spring/summer we are having, don't give up, you are still needed. Take time to look around at how lucky you are. You are part of a very noble, hard-working profession, and this life being a farmer is one full of many treasures. Happy June Dairy Month.[[In-content Ad]]

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