I just shared another post on face book about a family farm going under.
My first thought – “Oh, no, another one. Lord please surround these people with your love.”
And then this emotion that I can’t name (I think it is sadness, anger, despair, grief all mixed together) rose up and my mind screamed “What are we going to do about this? What is going to happen?”
That thought was followed by – “How would/did this play out for other professions?”
I wonder if the medical field, the entertainment field, the sports field professions were falling like flies – what would be the reaction?
I’ve noticed a few times lately with the entertainment industry that has had a canceled program will be revived if enough fans speak up.
The sports industry seems to thrive no matter what – although I really have no clue what’s going on on the inside. And, it’s on the inside that the truth lives.
So, how is it the main profession that keeps America, the world alive is so infected and diseased that farm after farm is dying. Farms are being amputated and there are miscarriages and terminally ill farms all over America.
Who do we blame? Who can help? What can be done?
All questions I have that are void of answers.
The intriguing part of this is that the people who survive because of this profession either have no clue or couldn’t care less.
Week after week they walk in to the grocery store, fill up their cart, take it home and place it in the fridge or cupboards. Many times, the fridge will need to be cleaned out and wasted food thrown away before the “new” food can be stored.
Food is such an easy, cheap commodity in America.
Meanwhile, back on the farm we are working more hours with no pay just trying to keep our life intact. There are no vacations, no sick days, no holidays no bonuses. The life that was once a joyful fulfillment is heavy with worry, fear and uncertainty for many.
Once again, who can we blame – and what good will that do?
A better question is who can help?
No farmer I know wants a hand-out. A hand-up for a period of time would be wonderful. To be able to make a living using our passion filled abilities is really all most of us want.
And, this isn’t just affecting the “little guys”. There may be some mega farms that have figured out how to survive. But it’s all relative. What’s large for one person is not so for another. Farmers pointing fingers at other farmers won’t help a thing.
I’m not really sure there is an expectation for this post other than trying to dump my feelings onto paper (e-paper?) to try to relieve the heaviness of carrying it around.
There are a couple things I would like to ask though.
Please pray. Pray for farmers everywhere. Farmers are now the number one group of people committing suicide.
Pay attention to what you eat and wear. You can’t go very far without eating, wearing or running into something that came from a farmer.
Show your appreciation when you can. A thank you on social media, a note in the mail would be an easy encouragement.
If you have a question, please just ask us. Don’t believe what you read. There are so many mistruths and flat out lies (which would be a whole ‘nother blog post) being pushed on us.
As a dairy farmer with 4th and 5th generation coming behind we are committed to hang on and continue as long as possible with the hope that the clouds will part and the sun will once again shine.
