The seasons of life

When people think about dairies, they often picture the daily workers — the ones visible in the barns or fields, with grease-stained hands and worn-out overalls. But behind the scenes, there are others who make a profound impact. One of those people is my mother — a strong, hardworking, beautiful woman who may operate quietly in the background, but is truly the heart of our farm and family.

I’ve heard my dad say countless times, “I couldn’t have accomplished what I have without the support and love of Jody. I couldn’t have done it with anyone else.” I grew up watching my parents face challenges, work tirelessly, and build the life we have today — always side by side. Their partnership was the foundation of everything.

Although my mom didn’t grow up on a dairy farm, she has always loved agriculture and has a deep compassion for animals. I like to joke that she has 64 kids: 40 calves, 20 cats, and four children. But, jokes aside, I’ve never met anyone more passionate, dedicated or hardworking. Not many school teachers wake up at 4:30 a.m. to feed calves, teach all day, then return home to feed calves again. On top of 27 years in the classroom, she has been a constant presence and driving force on our dairy. Her dedication and grit inspire me daily.

In high school, my mom was honored as the Jones County Pork Queen. She grew up helping her dad farm alongside her three siblings. Her father operated a farrow-to-finish hog farm, raised cattle and managed an expansive crop operation. He especially loved growing corn. After 53 years of farming, he is now harvesting his final crop and preparing for retirement. He plans to rent out his land and sell his beef herd — finally taking time to rest after decades of hard work.

His retirement has made me reflect deeply, not only on what stays consistent, but how much agriculture continues to evolve and change. In 1972, just a year after getting married, my grandpa started farming with a 4-row planter, a 4400 combine, harvesting 100–120 bushels per acre, and $1 corn. Today, he finishes with a 16-row planter, a 670 combine, harvesting 220–240 bushels per acre, and $4 corn. Production costs have soared, and farmers are often forced to scale up just to survive. It takes courage, adaptability and grit to navigate those changes while still protecting your family and your values.

I have great admiration for people like my grandparents (and now my parents) who weather the storms of agriculture with grace and humility. But I also admire them for many things beyond farming. Farmers aren’t only remembered for the bushels they harvest, the milk they produce, or the hours they have put in. They are remembered for their unwavering love they showed their families, the way they poured into the lives of those they loved, and the faithful pursuit of the path set before them. I will always be deeply grateful for having grown up with both sets of grandparents being active in their churches and wholeheartedly committed to their walk with the Lord.

As I’ve grown older and begun imagining my own future and family, I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices my parents made. Despite the constant stress and never-ending work that comes with dairy farming, they never missed a single game, event or moment that mattered to us. They always found time to hit pause and be there. That commitment — to show up no matter what — has shaped how I want to live my life.

Yes, farming is demanding. The to-do list never ends, but beneath the long hours and hard labor lies something deeper: the desire to provide for and protect the people you love. That’s the purpose that drives everything.

At the end of the day, no task is more important than creating lifelong memories with your family. No harvest is more meaningful than making sure your loved ones feel supported, valued, and never forgotten — even in the busiest seasons of life.

Abby Fairbanks is the third-generation on her family’s farm. She works full-time with her parents, Doug and Jody, where they milk 400 cows  near Anamosa, Iowa.