I had the opportunity to enjoy a pork chop sandwich and stroll through big farm equipment at Farmfest earlier this summer, to receive the Goodhue County Farm Family of the Year award. We were surprised and honored to be recognized, and it was a joy to hear the stories of all the other Minnesota farm families chosen (87 unique farm stories!). Some of these families made us look like newbies in farming, while others were just getting started themselves. Dairy, crops, pigs, and vegetables – you name it, somebody in that shed grew it. I was struck by one commonality we all shared: farming is still hard work.

I spoke to a group of community members at our local senior center earlier this summer and shared a similar message. Our society often times romanticizes farming and rural living, and Ferndale is guilty of contributing to the notion by sharing updates when everything is cooperating on the farm. After all, it’s a lot more fun to share good news.

But all of those farmers in the Farmfest shed know that weather doesn’t always cooperate. It’s too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, or too variable. Diseases don’t always cooperate, and neither does demand. Fact is, there is so much outside of a farmer’s control. And turkey farming is still a 7 day a week job.  As I often remind student groups, even on Christmas morning, someone has to check the turkeys.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking for pity. We love what we do. We’ve got a great team to shoulder the load, and a terrific customer base (that’s you!) that brings our model more stability than most. But as I sat together with the other farm families that day, I imagined the friendly refrain of Elizabeth Ries, Twin Cities Live host, Ferndale champion, and all-around sustainable foodie, saying “nobody works harder than a farmer.”

I was proud to sit among this group of farmers.